MDeC, University of Malaya, Cisco to create ICT specialists for Malaysian SME

-->KUALA LUMPUR, 24 AUGUST 2009 – Two young Malaysia-based entrepreneurs have won awards for the design and build of their multi-touch screen called Smart Surface.
Smart Surface’s co-founders, Faysal Abdulaziz (managing director) and Homam Alghorani (executive director) said the product was envisioned during their student days at APIIT (Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology), where they became interested in multi-touch technology and related natural computer interfacing.
The first prototype was designed and built at the beginning of 2009 when, in February, an entrepreneur offered the two aforementioned developers to co-form a company and fund their research, said Abdulaziz.
“Smart Surface is completely designed and built in Malaysia,” said Abdulaziz, who added that the product was launched commercially in May 2009, during the 20th ITEX09 [International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition] exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur.
During ITEX09, which was organised by MINDS (Malaysian, Invention & Design Society) and the ministry of science, technology and innovation, the product won two awards for Best Invention – Corporate Category, and the ITEX Gold Medal Award.
Pioneering use of the LCD screen
The company focuses on research and development of in-house multi-touch hardware and software solutions, said Abdulaziz.  “As far as we know, another Malaysian provider of a similar product, Kreateevee, uses rear projection technology for display with diffused infra-red (IR) illumination for movement detection.”
“We do use this technology in some of our early models, but we also are the pioneers in exploring the use of the LCD screen for display technology, instead of rear-projection, as well as LASER [light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation] detection technology, instead of IR illumination,” he said. “Therefore, Smart Surface is the only company that has a full range of multi-touch and surface computer application technologies [rear-projection, LCD display, LASER recognition technology, tabletop and vertical walls].”
“Smart Surface has already been in commercial use by many companies,” he added. “That means we are technologically ahead in term of solving the many problems associated with any commercial use of the product. For example, for rear-projection technology, we achieved a tabletop display size ratio to the external dimensions of the top of the table of almost 1:1.”
Future plans
“It is noteworthy that some of our clients, such as British American Tobacco and Cool Merchant Connections had already approached other local companies that offered multi-touch technology,” he added. “However, they opted to use Smart Surface products after they compared all technological aspects.”
Regarding future developments, he said: “We have already spoken with APIIT for cooperation through internships for students who will learn firsthand about our multi-touch technology and its applications. This will enrich the academic field of multi-touch research in Malaysia.”

MULTIMEDIA UNIVERSITY (MMU) STUDENTS TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF THEIR LIFE TIME

Cyberjaya, 4 October 2011 - From the 26 to the 30 of September 2011, six Multimedia University (MMU) students, from the Cyberjaya campus took on the challenge of their lifetime by joining the 2011 Shell FuelSave College Competition organised by Shell. The goal of the competition is to research, plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive public relation campaign for Shell FuelSave Day in Malaysia.

These students called themselves the Shell Creative Gems. They have organised a booth from the 26 -30 September 2011 at Central Plaza, Multimedia University based on the new gaming technology by Microsoft, the Kinect, which is a controller-free gaming and entertainment experience. The reason is to attract and educate MMU members on fuel efficiency as well as recruiting interested MMU members to join the Shell FuelSave Day training in a fun and engaging manner. They have been working on the campaign since 22 August 2011 and at the moment focusing on the major event on 15 October 2011, the Shell FuelSave Day.

JAPAN UNIVERSITY HELPS SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL WITH ICT

By Xinghui Guo | 20 May 2011

With the help of University of Aizu, Japan, Aizu Yougo Gakko School for the Challenged now has technology that is easy for the students to operate.

“Nearly 30 per cent of Aizu Yougo Gakko students have severe motor and intellectual handicaps and cannot control their limbs,” said Michael Cohen, Professor of Spatial Media Group, University of Aizu.

Hence, both schools worked together to develop interfaces that “are not especially sophisticated” but could encourage and entertain students with special needs.

These interfaces include handicapped-accessible buttons in place of conventional computer mouse and keyboard, switches to control toys and appliances, a two-button system for operating music players and an Apple iPad equipped with accessibility software.

“The iPad’s multitouch interface and integrated multimedia capability is especially useful for young Gakko students,” said Cohen to FutureGov Asia Pacific.

Cohen demonstrated an application that with the touch of an illustration, lets the iPad announce things needs like a desire to visit the restroom or hunger—making the application an easy way for Gakko students to inform the faculty of their needs and wants.

“Even if a student is not expressive verbally, he or she can touch an accessible button to indicate his or her desires,” explained Cohen.

UNIMAS Upgrades Its Internet Access Capacity

   In line with this, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) has signed an agreement with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to implement a major upgrade of UNIMAS' Internet leased line capacity from the current 8Mbps to 34Mbps by June 1.

   This increase in Internet access capacity will meet the administration, study and research requirements of 7,500 UNIMAS students and staff.


   TM has been the primary Internet connectivity provider to UNIMAS since 2003, and currently provides its tmnet direct solution to UNIMAS via a dedicated link.


   UNIMAS was TM's first tmnet direct customer among institutions of higher learning in the country.


   Founded in 1992, UNIMAS is the eighth public university in Malaysia and the first in Sarawak. It currently hosts 19 faculties, institutes and centres in a wide variety of study and research areas, including computer science and information technology, resource science and technology, as well as biodiversity and environmental conservation 

AIMST University signs cooperative MoU with MMU

Asia -
Monday, December 6th, 2010
by Subhash J. Bhore

Melaka, Malaysia: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 ― AIMST University, Kedah-based University dedicated to high-quality value-based education, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Multimedia University (MMU) in Bukit Beruang, Melaka to promote cooperation between both educational institutions.

Under the accord of the MoU, the two universities will engage in joint research activities, organizing training programs and workshops, exchange visits by academic staff, researchers and students, exchange relevant information, and developing and implementing R&D projects of mutual interest. The research activities plan and their implementation will be mutually developed on a 'project by project' basis. AIMST University Chief Executive & Vice-Chancellor Prof Frederick Charles Smales and MMU President Prof. Dr. Zaharin b. Yusoff signed the MoU on December 1, 2010.

Taylor University : Media Communication Students Win MarCom Awards for Public Relations & Video Production

Students in Taylor University’s Media Communication department won Gold, Platinum and Honorable Mentions from the MarCom Awards for their work in public relations and video production. MarCom is a competition for marketing communications with categories for print, visual, audio and web materials.

A recruitment video for Remedy Live won Platinum, the competition’s highest honor. The Ft. Wayne-based organization wanted volunteers to join their online ministry team, and the video accomplishes that goal by telling compelling stories of the ministry’s impact. The project’s producer was senior Chase Moore. "This award is incredibly encouraging,” Moore said. “We put a massive amount of work into making it the best we could and to see it receive Platinum reaffirms that all of our effort was well worth it!"

UMS chancellor announces partnership to double IT grads in 4 years

AUGUSTA, Maine — The chancellor of the University of Maine System announced Wednesday a new partnership with Maine businesses designed to double the number of graduates in computer and information sciences over the next four years.

Richard Pattenaude announced the formation of the University-Business Information Technology and Computer Science Partnership in his State of the University address to the Legislature.

“Maine business leaders are concerned about the number of computer science, information science and information management graduates coming out of our universities,” he told lawmakers. “These graduates are particularly critical because in this information age and in our changing economy, these skills are essential to all businesses — small and large, north and south, current and emerging.”

The chancellor said that some of the state’s large employers — including Wright Express, Hannaford, TD Bank, Unum, Idexx and Maine Medical Center — expect to see a significant shortfall of Maine graduates with degrees in computer science, information science and information management as their organizations grow and as employees retire.

“A rough estimate is that we will have to double the number of graduates from the current 50 to 60 per year to meet the long-term needs,” Pattenaude said. “If we don’t, it will stifle business expansion and will negatively impact business location decisions. And it will constrain business activity statewide.”

IT news from IPTA ^_^

UPM and UM Enhance Learning Facilities and Empower Student Lives with 4G Mobile Internet

Kuala Lumpur, 13 September 2010 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaya (UM) today joined the Education Partner Program (EPP) spearheaded by YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL Comms). Under the program, both universities will apply the power of 4G Mobile Internet campus-wide to give their students cutting-edge learning facilities and further enhance the quality of life on campus for both students and academic staff.

UPM and UM are the third and fourth local university respectively to join the EPP program in the last two months after UTM and UTAR. All twenty of Malaysia’s public universities and selected private universities are expected to join the program by the end of the year.

UM plans to utilise YTL's 4G Campus-wide Network to boost research activities and be among the top 100 universities in the world. “We want the students to access our enterprise, learning and research services from anywhere and at anytime and therefore we are pleased to partner with YTL Comms to give our students the freedom and the convenience of 4G Mobile Internet,” said Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah, Vice Chancellor of UPM.

IT news from IPTA (",

Limkokwing Creativity Grooms ICT-Savvy Talents

An advocate of creativity and innovation since the 1970s, the Limkokwing University of Creativity Technology (LUCT) is taking the lead by producing graduates equipped with the right skills and capabilities to drive the ICT industry and their careers.

ICE- a way of life

Information technology is very much a part of everyday life: the computer occupies a central position not only in business organisations but increasingly in fields as diverse as manufacturing to space exploration and banking.

This has created a wealth of opportunities for Malaysia, which is moving into a high-income and innovation-driven economy, one area that well-qualified ICT graduates are able to provide the momentum to propel it.

Geared for success

The LUCT Faculty of Information and Communication Technology offers internationally-recognised BSc degrees including Mobile Computing, Games Technology and Business Information Technology, as well as postgraduates studies in Computer Networking and Communication. Delve into the exciting world of ICT where you will get to learn all you’ve ever wanted to know about:

• Games Programming
• Digital Modelling and Animation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Interactive Multimedia
• Real-Time Systems
• Internet Security Knowledge
• Grid Computing
 

IT news from IPTS :)

Ricoh Malaysia and HELP University College set up the first "Innotech Centre" in Kuala Lumpur

  Malaysia, 4 December 2008 – Ricoh, a leading document solutions provider,

announced a significant partnership with HELP University College to jointly develop

a one-stop printing centre called the “InnoTech Centre” at the latter’s Bukit

Damansara campus in Kuala Lumpur.

The centre is poised to become an “incubator” centre for digital office technology and

a one-stop print centre that serves the needs of HELP students as well as the

surrounding business community. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was inked

between Ricoh (M) Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director Lim Eng Weng and HELP

University College’s President Datuk Dr. Paul Chan at an official signing ceremony

held at HELP’s Pusat Bandar Damansara auditorium.

“The creation of InnoTech Centre is borne out of both organizations’ commitment to

create excellence and harness synergy in our respective fields. Effective use of digital

office technology will enhance the delivery process of education and improve

learning. In addition, undergraduates will be well exposed to the latest digital print

technology and solutions before they join the workforce,” said Lim Eng Weng,

Managing Director of Ricoh Malaysia.


IT news from IPTA and IPTS ~ ;)