Malaysia has been announced by London-based public policy group, The Legatum Institute as the 43rd prosperous nation among 110 countries. Malaysia is also ranked as the 2nd most prosperous among the ASEAN and top 8 among all Asia-Pacific regions.
More information regarding this is available here at <The Star>
Monday, November 7, 2011
Michael Jackson's doctor found guilty
After nearly two years since the death of iconic pop-star Michael Jackson (MJ) in 2009, his personal doctor (Dr Conrad Murray) is sentenced by the court to be guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The court found him guilty for his negligence in overdosing MJ with propofol, and failing to keep a proper eye on the victim's health condition. Although Dr Murray pleaded not guilty, the jury voted unanimously that he is guilty after nearly nine hours of deliberation.
Such a verdict case reminds us all of the "right and wrong" within our human's conceptual system, and in today's society. What's right and what is wrong? The true answer to these two questions can always be unclear. A bright and clear "grey area" dominates the game. Of course as we progress and develop, our society, our country and the world needs a law system to ensure's its safety and functionality. Thus, each place has their own lawful system to ensure such a level of safety. When law dispute like the one appears in MJ's case, it always serves as a lesson, or rather a reminder for everyone to treasure all the things we have now, be it person, or materials. I believe every individual will surely have their own say in regards to this, just like Dr Murray says he is not guilty, and the prosecutors are able to have his say about different points of view, the defendant has his own defending evidence. So who is right, and who is wrong? Only 3 persons; MJ, Murrad and God.
More information on this are available at <The Star> by clicking here
Such a verdict case reminds us all of the "right and wrong" within our human's conceptual system, and in today's society. What's right and what is wrong? The true answer to these two questions can always be unclear. A bright and clear "grey area" dominates the game. Of course as we progress and develop, our society, our country and the world needs a law system to ensure's its safety and functionality. Thus, each place has their own lawful system to ensure such a level of safety. When law dispute like the one appears in MJ's case, it always serves as a lesson, or rather a reminder for everyone to treasure all the things we have now, be it person, or materials. I believe every individual will surely have their own say in regards to this, just like Dr Murray says he is not guilty, and the prosecutors are able to have his say about different points of view, the defendant has his own defending evidence. So who is right, and who is wrong? Only 3 persons; MJ, Murrad and God.
More information on this are available at <The Star> by clicking here
Friday, November 4, 2011
This world needs lots of love and passion
"I love you", is probably one of the most-heard phrases whenever we watch any movies, especially those from westerner producers. But how many of us have ever truly try to figure out the real meaning behind this phrase?
Love and passion seems two very easy words. However, to practice and reflect them in our daily lives is a big challenge. I would say, maybe, in the past it was a lot more easier when the world wasn't as competitive as now, and everyone seemed to be living in a less-stressed society.
On this fine Saturday morning, I decide to wake up earlier and ride my bike to a cafeteria not far away for my breakfast with my family. The place is crowded with people who are busy buying veges and some cooking ingredients. Some are having breakfast in the full-housed coffee shop. So this is the main reason why I choose to use my bike instead of driving, knowing well of the traffic condition at the morning-market (or we call it in Malay language pasar pagi).
As I am reading my newspaper, a loud car-honking is heard. It is a long and loud honk. I notice a middle-aged man is trying to reverse his parked car (Car A) from a parking lot. His path is obstructed by another car (Car B) which is parked behind him. The driver of Car B is nowhere to be seen. After few attempts of effort-wasting honks, he gets out from his car, Car A. Angrily, he spits onto Car B. Not only that, he also kicks, punches and slams Car B. Noticing there are a lot of eyesight fallen on him now, his action grows bolder. He jumps on the car's bonnet, jumping up and down. After he angrily torturing Car B, finally the owner of Car B returns. Embarrassed plus shyly, she quickly drives off.
Now, a small case like this could create such an unhappy event. It is hard to imagine what would happen on the road when more-serious disputes happened. There has been a news saying that a driver's hand was chopped off just because he sounded his honk to wake up a drunk driver who was driving dangerously. Drivers got beaten up because of traffic light dispute, and many more.
The world needs much more attention than we could imagine. While everyone is busy dashing through our daily lives which we often regard as "the most important", we tend to neglect those minor details that each and everyone of us could contribute in making our earth a better place to live in.
Maybe it's time for us to stop for a while and ponder on, "What can I contribute or what bad habit should I get rid of to be more attentive and loving towards the society?" If we find ourselves too busy to start-off, then how do we expect others to change?
Cheers, for a better world!
Love and passion seems two very easy words. However, to practice and reflect them in our daily lives is a big challenge. I would say, maybe, in the past it was a lot more easier when the world wasn't as competitive as now, and everyone seemed to be living in a less-stressed society.
On this fine Saturday morning, I decide to wake up earlier and ride my bike to a cafeteria not far away for my breakfast with my family. The place is crowded with people who are busy buying veges and some cooking ingredients. Some are having breakfast in the full-housed coffee shop. So this is the main reason why I choose to use my bike instead of driving, knowing well of the traffic condition at the morning-market (or we call it in Malay language pasar pagi).
As I am reading my newspaper, a loud car-honking is heard. It is a long and loud honk. I notice a middle-aged man is trying to reverse his parked car (Car A) from a parking lot. His path is obstructed by another car (Car B) which is parked behind him. The driver of Car B is nowhere to be seen. After few attempts of effort-wasting honks, he gets out from his car, Car A. Angrily, he spits onto Car B. Not only that, he also kicks, punches and slams Car B. Noticing there are a lot of eyesight fallen on him now, his action grows bolder. He jumps on the car's bonnet, jumping up and down. After he angrily torturing Car B, finally the owner of Car B returns. Embarrassed plus shyly, she quickly drives off.
Now, a small case like this could create such an unhappy event. It is hard to imagine what would happen on the road when more-serious disputes happened. There has been a news saying that a driver's hand was chopped off just because he sounded his honk to wake up a drunk driver who was driving dangerously. Drivers got beaten up because of traffic light dispute, and many more.
The world needs much more attention than we could imagine. While everyone is busy dashing through our daily lives which we often regard as "the most important", we tend to neglect those minor details that each and everyone of us could contribute in making our earth a better place to live in.
Maybe it's time for us to stop for a while and ponder on, "What can I contribute or what bad habit should I get rid of to be more attentive and loving towards the society?" If we find ourselves too busy to start-off, then how do we expect others to change?
Cheers, for a better world!
New Zealand's Christchurch to be prepared for possible powerful earthquake, scientists alerted
A source from The Star Newspaper states that the Christchurch earthquake which struck New Zealand in February this year has caused repair works up to NZ$20 billion, approximately Malaysian Ringgit of RM49.4 billion.
While rehabilitation and repair works are still underway, the country is warned by scientist to be prepared for another powerful seismic threat next year. Chances of the country to be struck by an earthquake ranged from 6.0 to 6.4 Richter is 15% throughout the whole year. The country's researcher, Kelvin Berryman tells the public not to panic. He ensures that the increase of statistical numbers is not merely due to any particular or unusual Plate Tectonics observations. It's based on newly adopted calculation method of probabilities.
But of course, it's always better to be prepared than to take things for granted. Wishfully, the chance for the 15% earthquake to occur is 0.
God blesses us all !
While rehabilitation and repair works are still underway, the country is warned by scientist to be prepared for another powerful seismic threat next year. Chances of the country to be struck by an earthquake ranged from 6.0 to 6.4 Richter is 15% throughout the whole year. The country's researcher, Kelvin Berryman tells the public not to panic. He ensures that the increase of statistical numbers is not merely due to any particular or unusual Plate Tectonics observations. It's based on newly adopted calculation method of probabilities.
But of course, it's always better to be prepared than to take things for granted. Wishfully, the chance for the 15% earthquake to occur is 0.
God blesses us all !
Thursday, November 3, 2011
My philosophy being a journal reviewer
I was given the honor to review an article for an international journal few weeks ago. Being a reviewer, I have my own philosophy which governs me through the review process. Needless to say, the first and foremost reviewing criteria should be based on the guidelines specific by the journal publisher. At this stage, I read through the article word-by-word carefully. Identification of grammatical mistake, spelling error and layout format of the article is at top priority at this initial stage.
Next, reviewing of the article's content and research accuracy. My philosophy is that
"...every piece of research and article is valuable. We can never judge a book by its cover. It is always easier (or extremely easy) to criticize and condemn, than to create from scratch. The authors must have gone through a hard time in preparing the article, I presume (but this may not always be the case. There are authors who merely submit a very initial draft of article hoping that reviewers will help to pinpoint their mistakes without even bothering to proof-read the submission prior to sending)..."
Bearing this in mind, I review the accuracy of research methodology adopted by the author, and the appropriateness of result analysis. Publication of an article in international journal demands a strong conclusion at the end of the paper. It has to be sharp enough to reveal the importance and significance that this piece of article is going to bring into the existing knowledge.
Now, with the article completely reviewed, I am preparing a reviewer's report to be submitted to both the author and editor-in-chief. In the report, appraisal and credits are mentioned to encourage the merits of authors. Necessary corrections are attached, and comments are included to ease the authors in revising the article.
I have had this experience when I submitted an article to a local magazine publisher in the country few years ago. It was my very first time. The editorial committee, I have to say, is far from being professional despite having a great name for their magazine. Upon submitting the article, I waited for months without news. Several attempts to email the editor remained unattended. Months later, I received the reviewed article from the editor. The remarks found in the report are words such as "Hate this word! Why do you keep on insisting on unnecessary plurals? Since when this word appears in English?" It is a very unethical comments from reviewers, I would say. Instead of improving the article, it seems more like an attack to the author. I was asked to revise the article as required. Revision is done, and I even extended the original article's content by double.
I resubmitted the article to the editor after being revised. I waited for few weeks. And 2 years later until now, the editor does not give me a clear feedback of the article's status. Is it accepted, published or being discarded already? No one knows. My email is unattended, again.
So bearing this lesson in mind, I keep telling myself that now being a reviewer, I will not let a single author whose paper is reviewed by me to undergo such uneasiness. I do my best in keeping my review as fair as possible. Bearing in mind that every piece of article is valuable, I will give improving comments to respective authors, even though their papers are rejected. It is hoped that they can further improve their papers, and have them sent to other journals once the papers are ready!
So folks, do not be afraid to write. I started-off writing years ago. The first few attempts are hard though, but if you are really interested in academic writing, do not give up. We can do it!
Good luck!
Next, reviewing of the article's content and research accuracy. My philosophy is that
"...every piece of research and article is valuable. We can never judge a book by its cover. It is always easier (or extremely easy) to criticize and condemn, than to create from scratch. The authors must have gone through a hard time in preparing the article, I presume (but this may not always be the case. There are authors who merely submit a very initial draft of article hoping that reviewers will help to pinpoint their mistakes without even bothering to proof-read the submission prior to sending)..."
Bearing this in mind, I review the accuracy of research methodology adopted by the author, and the appropriateness of result analysis. Publication of an article in international journal demands a strong conclusion at the end of the paper. It has to be sharp enough to reveal the importance and significance that this piece of article is going to bring into the existing knowledge.
Now, with the article completely reviewed, I am preparing a reviewer's report to be submitted to both the author and editor-in-chief. In the report, appraisal and credits are mentioned to encourage the merits of authors. Necessary corrections are attached, and comments are included to ease the authors in revising the article.
I have had this experience when I submitted an article to a local magazine publisher in the country few years ago. It was my very first time. The editorial committee, I have to say, is far from being professional despite having a great name for their magazine. Upon submitting the article, I waited for months without news. Several attempts to email the editor remained unattended. Months later, I received the reviewed article from the editor. The remarks found in the report are words such as "Hate this word! Why do you keep on insisting on unnecessary plurals? Since when this word appears in English?" It is a very unethical comments from reviewers, I would say. Instead of improving the article, it seems more like an attack to the author. I was asked to revise the article as required. Revision is done, and I even extended the original article's content by double.
I resubmitted the article to the editor after being revised. I waited for few weeks. And 2 years later until now, the editor does not give me a clear feedback of the article's status. Is it accepted, published or being discarded already? No one knows. My email is unattended, again.
So bearing this lesson in mind, I keep telling myself that now being a reviewer, I will not let a single author whose paper is reviewed by me to undergo such uneasiness. I do my best in keeping my review as fair as possible. Bearing in mind that every piece of article is valuable, I will give improving comments to respective authors, even though their papers are rejected. It is hoped that they can further improve their papers, and have them sent to other journals once the papers are ready!
So folks, do not be afraid to write. I started-off writing years ago. The first few attempts are hard though, but if you are really interested in academic writing, do not give up. We can do it!
Good luck!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Twisting fate of Ronald Weasley in Harry Potter
Are you a big fans of Harry Potter out there? I am once one of the big fans of the movie, especially the first few episodes. The role of Ronald Weasley (Ron) did catch my attention since his first appearance in the very first episode of the movie; Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
 |
| Ronald Weasley |
But very little did I know that the author of the best-selling novels, J.K. Rowling does actually plan to have Ron killed in the original story-plot. More amazingly, he is supposed to be dead not only at the end of the story. Instead, his role is to be ended in the midway throughout the tales.
Luckily to the fans and supporters of Ron, J.K. Rowling does changes her mind though, in the end.
>>>More News and Details are available on Yahoo! Movies
Monday, October 31, 2011
If you want to become a successful entrepreneur...
Entrepreneurship, or in Malay language keusahawanan could be simply referring to someone who decides to start their own business, rather than being a salaried-paid worker. I personally do encourage everyone to give it a try; being an entrepreneur once in a while.
Now, before you decide on the types of business venture that you are interested with, please do consider the ONE important key question. The WHAT question. WHAT is the main criteria that determines a good business? Your unique business model? Good social networking? Niche product or service that you are offering? Aha! You are only halfway there.
While potential business investors may be looking solely on the profitability of your business model, and of course the easiness of working together with you yourself as the business owner, the key of success that determines the potential of your business lies somewhere further, beyond all these criteria. The most important criteria beyond all that, is the CORRECT TIMING. Your product or services offered may not be of the latest or most advanced technology-based, but it has to be brought to the market at the correct timing.
A clear example will be the recently super-duper hot selling like pancakes, the iPhone (and wow, typing iPhone isn't revealing any red underline beneath the word. Amazing!). There is no doubt that the iPhone engineers and team has done a marvelous job in producing their own software and hardware that changes the whole mobile phone revolutionary direction, its timing is also perfect. With the advancement in communication network, free accessible wi-fi everywhere, and of course the 3G platform, the power of the iPhone is optimized to a higher level. Some inventors may get their patented products piled-up under their bed for decades, before the right time arrives. The inventor of television (TV) waits for a long time, before someone invented broadcasting industry. See? the correct timing.
You can't push the globe. What you can do is to integrate your business with the way that the world is working. So wait for the right timing. We can't change and determine the market
So before you ask yourself "What am I going to offer to the market?", please ask yourself this question first. "Is now the correct timing for me to enter the market with my offer?". Then, you may develop, improve and expand your product or service phase by phase slowly.
I am not an entrepreneur myself, yet. I am saying these based on my personal observations and readings, and haha...most importantly I am a loyal fans of BBC's Dragons Den. I do hope this could be of any help to those of you out there, thinking to start-off your own business.
Multimillionaires investors from Britain in the Dragons Den
International Journal Publications
Given below are the links to both the journal articles of mine which have been published recently, in two different international journals.
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# Journal Article 1
Tiong, P.L.Y., Adnan, A., Mirasa, A.K., and Rahman, A.B.A., (2011). "Performance of IBS Precast Concrete Beam-Column Connections under Earthquake Effects: A Literature Review." American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 4(1): 93-101pp. [Citation Indexed Journal]
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# Journal Article 2
Adnan, A., Tiong, P.L.Y., Surnayati, J., Mohd Ghazali, M.Z., and A. Malek, K., (2011). "Seismic Base Isolation of Steel Frame Structure by Hollow Rubber Bearings." Gazi University Journal of Science, 24(4): 841-853pp. [ISI / SCOPUS Indexed Journal]
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11 March 2011 Japan Tsunami caught on camera
Check this out. A latest video in HD recovered by police team and experts in Japan showing clearly how the Tsunami struck on 11 March 2011.
Exclusive video!!!
<Click here for the video page>
Exclusive video!!!
<Click here for the video page>
What I have done so far
After nearly three years of dashing through my postgraduate study, I am taking a look back at what I have managed to achieve throughout the period. Taking a long stroll along the time-machine...
2008, December: My official registration as a postgraduate student. Resigned from my work, and go back to university again.
2009, February: My supervisor has given me my very first official task for today. And that is "Try to write a conference paper for an international conference that is to be held in August 2011." And so I did.
2009, April: Surprisingly, and happily of course, the paper submitted for the conference proceeding has been accepted, with some minor corrections and modifications required.
2009: May: I am desperately searching, searching and searching for any funding or scholarship available for local post graduate studies. At that time, the government has not revealed the new masterplan and budget for postgraduate students. Unlike now, students are offered with multiple choices of scholarships even before ones completed the bachelor degree. At my time, you knock door-to-door for money to study, not money looking for you.
2009, Jun: Assisting my supervisor in applying for research funds. We submitted few research proposals. Some are rejected, and some are pending for further assessment. Luckily, we managed to secure quite a feasible amount of funding.
2009, August: Flying to Putrajaya for the 1st time in my life to attend an interview session with a scholarship funding body. I get 25 minutes to present my research proposal in front of 3 professionals. They will assess and see whether I am qualified for the award or not. Towards the end, the answer is? "NO". Right after the interview, I fly to Langkawi for the presentation of my paper in an international conference. It is my first experience presenting to international audiences, and most of them are professionals in the field. It is indeed a valuable experience for me.
2009, September: Flying to Taiwan with fellow teammates, representing my university and Malaysia for an international competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The competition is mainly dealing with earthquake building modeling and testing. Although we didn't manage to win any major prizes, we do bring back awards in best presentation and best poster category.
2009, September: Coming back from Taiwan, my supervisor sent the same team of us to an international exhibition competition held in KLCC. We will be displaying and exhibiting our inventions, 2 of our best inventions for the year. We managed to secure a bronze and a sliver medal for both the inventions.
2009, November: Having a paper published in conference proceeding, my next target is to try publishing in international journal. I sit down in front my my laptop, thinking real hard and planning to get a journal article done. I start-off writing, and believe me, it's harder than it sounds. Word by word of typing, and deleting seems so normal. Write, and rewrite, write and rewrite. Do you believe it? It takes almost few hours just to get a paragraph done. I guess that's pretty normal if you plan to get your paper published in an indexed international journal. If you as the author finds your paper not good enough, what would we expect reviewers or outsiders to react? Feeling that I am wasting my effort and time, I stop writing.
2010, April: I am writing for 2 different papers targeting for two different conference. One in Pahang, in which my supervisor will be presenting while I am planing to attend the one in Shah Alam. Both papers got accepted.
2010, July: This time, my supervisor is giving me a bigger challenge, and that is to participate in another exposition solo. The team consists of me, and him. I nod, and join in. Praise the Lord, we manage to get a bronze medal for this product.
November,2010: Having 3 conference papers published, I am thinking to myself. "Hey, aren't you giving it a try to publish in journal?" I opened the half-typed file, which was left behind months ago and continue writing. I decided to submit it to a good journal, an indexed-journal based in Turkey.
...months of waiting, and waiting, and correcting...
Finally by today, I got 2 papers published in international-indexed journals, 2 more currently under review, 2 being accepted by worldwide distributed flagship/professional journals. Around 7 to 8 conference papers published, and another one has just been submitted to a world conference to be held in Portugal this year.
Thanks be to God, I have been appointed as journal reviewer for 3 international journals. Currently I am trying my very best to get more paper published, and hopefully will be able to join and serve as a journal editorial member of my choice.
2008, December: My official registration as a postgraduate student. Resigned from my work, and go back to university again.
2009, February: My supervisor has given me my very first official task for today. And that is "Try to write a conference paper for an international conference that is to be held in August 2011." And so I did.
2009, April: Surprisingly, and happily of course, the paper submitted for the conference proceeding has been accepted, with some minor corrections and modifications required.
2009: May: I am desperately searching, searching and searching for any funding or scholarship available for local post graduate studies. At that time, the government has not revealed the new masterplan and budget for postgraduate students. Unlike now, students are offered with multiple choices of scholarships even before ones completed the bachelor degree. At my time, you knock door-to-door for money to study, not money looking for you.
2009, Jun: Assisting my supervisor in applying for research funds. We submitted few research proposals. Some are rejected, and some are pending for further assessment. Luckily, we managed to secure quite a feasible amount of funding.
2009, August: Flying to Putrajaya for the 1st time in my life to attend an interview session with a scholarship funding body. I get 25 minutes to present my research proposal in front of 3 professionals. They will assess and see whether I am qualified for the award or not. Towards the end, the answer is? "NO". Right after the interview, I fly to Langkawi for the presentation of my paper in an international conference. It is my first experience presenting to international audiences, and most of them are professionals in the field. It is indeed a valuable experience for me.
2009, September: Flying to Taiwan with fellow teammates, representing my university and Malaysia for an international competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The competition is mainly dealing with earthquake building modeling and testing. Although we didn't manage to win any major prizes, we do bring back awards in best presentation and best poster category.
2009, September: Coming back from Taiwan, my supervisor sent the same team of us to an international exhibition competition held in KLCC. We will be displaying and exhibiting our inventions, 2 of our best inventions for the year. We managed to secure a bronze and a sliver medal for both the inventions.
2009, November: Having a paper published in conference proceeding, my next target is to try publishing in international journal. I sit down in front my my laptop, thinking real hard and planning to get a journal article done. I start-off writing, and believe me, it's harder than it sounds. Word by word of typing, and deleting seems so normal. Write, and rewrite, write and rewrite. Do you believe it? It takes almost few hours just to get a paragraph done. I guess that's pretty normal if you plan to get your paper published in an indexed international journal. If you as the author finds your paper not good enough, what would we expect reviewers or outsiders to react? Feeling that I am wasting my effort and time, I stop writing.
2010, April: I am writing for 2 different papers targeting for two different conference. One in Pahang, in which my supervisor will be presenting while I am planing to attend the one in Shah Alam. Both papers got accepted.
2010, July: This time, my supervisor is giving me a bigger challenge, and that is to participate in another exposition solo. The team consists of me, and him. I nod, and join in. Praise the Lord, we manage to get a bronze medal for this product.
November,2010: Having 3 conference papers published, I am thinking to myself. "Hey, aren't you giving it a try to publish in journal?" I opened the half-typed file, which was left behind months ago and continue writing. I decided to submit it to a good journal, an indexed-journal based in Turkey.
...months of waiting, and waiting, and correcting...
Finally by today, I got 2 papers published in international-indexed journals, 2 more currently under review, 2 being accepted by worldwide distributed flagship/professional journals. Around 7 to 8 conference papers published, and another one has just been submitted to a world conference to be held in Portugal this year.
Thanks be to God, I have been appointed as journal reviewer for 3 international journals. Currently I am trying my very best to get more paper published, and hopefully will be able to join and serve as a journal editorial member of my choice.
True meaning of Achievement
Achievement, surely does not sound like a new word to everybody. But how many of us truly understand the meaning of this word? You see, parents will often regards performance of their kids as their own achievements, while a wife will be proud over her husband's great achievement in office. But, again, what is achievement?
As I begin to continue my journey in higher education, I soon found myself surrounded in an academia environment that is totally different from the industry. Outsiders may think that academia is a fun world, less competitive, and the salary is of course, higher. I can assure you, this is the past. It's no longer the same as before, as for now.
Now, academia field is extremely important in order for any knowledge field to continue expanding and improving. Through researches, the knowledge of sciences and physics are continually applied solve current issues. This should, in return be contributing for a better humanity and further development of a nation. Yes, that's the origin of true academia world.
The rules of the game have been changed, as time progresses. Due to convenient of communication platform, and the vast growing numbers of researchers around the world, only those successful academicians are deemed worthy. As for the others, many continue as a less-known researchers. The mostly used tool to measure a success of a particular academician is 'publications'. Getting yourself involved in writing good quality journal papers is now the most vital key that determines his or her success. Numerous indexing introduced by large citation databases such as ISI Impact Factor, Scopus Citation Index, H-Index and etc., are now the commonly used tool to measure the influence capability of one academician.
I believe in the past, a researcher in university should be proud if he or her managed to get a paper published in journal. But the situation is a bit different by now. Even someone manages to publish in a journal, then others will ask "In what journal did you publish? Is it having any IF? What is your H-index?"
The pros of introducing such measuring techniques are that researchers will tend to motivate themselves into conduction proper research, and writing quality papers. The society and industry will then be able to gain continual improvements. Everyone is able to move forward. This is good, no doubt.
The cons? The value of publishing is deviated. It has become a platform for researchers to make themselves known by others. Instead of purely sharing knowledge through publications, strategical in planning the publication is more important that research itself. This causes an imbalance between doing, and writing.
But what can be said and done? Since the rule of game is so, we have to participate in and play by it. So, writing, writing, writing...is the only way for academicians to survive. At least, as for now.
Do you see now? Achievement can be something that is overwhelming such as landing on the moon, climbing Mt Everest, or as tiny as GETTING YOUR PAPER PUBLISHED.
As I begin to continue my journey in higher education, I soon found myself surrounded in an academia environment that is totally different from the industry. Outsiders may think that academia is a fun world, less competitive, and the salary is of course, higher. I can assure you, this is the past. It's no longer the same as before, as for now.
Now, academia field is extremely important in order for any knowledge field to continue expanding and improving. Through researches, the knowledge of sciences and physics are continually applied solve current issues. This should, in return be contributing for a better humanity and further development of a nation. Yes, that's the origin of true academia world.
The rules of the game have been changed, as time progresses. Due to convenient of communication platform, and the vast growing numbers of researchers around the world, only those successful academicians are deemed worthy. As for the others, many continue as a less-known researchers. The mostly used tool to measure a success of a particular academician is 'publications'. Getting yourself involved in writing good quality journal papers is now the most vital key that determines his or her success. Numerous indexing introduced by large citation databases such as ISI Impact Factor, Scopus Citation Index, H-Index and etc., are now the commonly used tool to measure the influence capability of one academician.
I believe in the past, a researcher in university should be proud if he or her managed to get a paper published in journal. But the situation is a bit different by now. Even someone manages to publish in a journal, then others will ask "In what journal did you publish? Is it having any IF? What is your H-index?"
The pros of introducing such measuring techniques are that researchers will tend to motivate themselves into conduction proper research, and writing quality papers. The society and industry will then be able to gain continual improvements. Everyone is able to move forward. This is good, no doubt.
The cons? The value of publishing is deviated. It has become a platform for researchers to make themselves known by others. Instead of purely sharing knowledge through publications, strategical in planning the publication is more important that research itself. This causes an imbalance between doing, and writing.
But what can be said and done? Since the rule of game is so, we have to participate in and play by it. So, writing, writing, writing...is the only way for academicians to survive. At least, as for now.
Do you see now? Achievement can be something that is overwhelming such as landing on the moon, climbing Mt Everest, or as tiny as GETTING YOUR PAPER PUBLISHED.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Tsunami hits Japan 2011
It was indeed a shocking news that shocked the whole world when Japan was seriously hit by 10m high waves due to undersea earthquakes. The amount of damages, and casualties were unimaginable.
It is rather irritating when you can easily find all sorts of nonsense and sarcastic remarks posted by many internet users circulating around the network. Some were asking for news of the famous Japanese AV stars, while some were just up there to post their brainless remarks. Please, think twice before you think you really wanna jammed the whole communication network into Japan. The families of the those really affected, might need the communication platform more than you do. So, be considerate and mature.
Another notable thing is why everyone is seemingly to be extremely concern about the news when it involves highly developed countries? It's like whenever these catastrophe involves popular countries, the world seems to be so concerning. But no one seems to care when the same thing happens to less developed countries. Let's just examine ourselves. Aren't all of us the same human, regardless of where do we stay or live?
So let's pray for world peace and human may be sincerely loving each other.
It is rather irritating when you can easily find all sorts of nonsense and sarcastic remarks posted by many internet users circulating around the network. Some were asking for news of the famous Japanese AV stars, while some were just up there to post their brainless remarks. Please, think twice before you think you really wanna jammed the whole communication network into Japan. The families of the those really affected, might need the communication platform more than you do. So, be considerate and mature.
Another notable thing is why everyone is seemingly to be extremely concern about the news when it involves highly developed countries? It's like whenever these catastrophe involves popular countries, the world seems to be so concerning. But no one seems to care when the same thing happens to less developed countries. Let's just examine ourselves. Aren't all of us the same human, regardless of where do we stay or live?
So let's pray for world peace and human may be sincerely loving each other.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
'BOMB' threat at LCCT-KLIA
Wow, a very shocking news. Bomb threat is found at Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Kuala Lumpur International Aiport (KLIA). More news can be found at <here>.
There are times when we don't really understand what on earth is this people thinking. For whatever revenge stories or purposes behind the action, they shouldn't be threatening to hurt innocent lives.
So, let's pray for world peace and may human learn to love each other.
Cheers~
There are times when we don't really understand what on earth is this people thinking. For whatever revenge stories or purposes behind the action, they shouldn't be threatening to hurt innocent lives.
So, let's pray for world peace and may human learn to love each other.
Cheers~
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The word 'PERFECT'
As I grow up, the word 'perfect' seems to be weird. The more you look deeper into a matter, the more imperfect you will find it to be. If there seems nothing in this universe is perfect, then I would conclude that the existence of the word 'perfect' is just for one reason. For it to fill in the im'perfect'.
What is your say?
What is your say?
Speak the 'right' language
I have just come back from a Business Pitching Camp organized by the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) last few weekends from 19 - 20 February 2011, in UNITEN, Kajang. It is a camp, organized for finalist of the MSC Malaysia-IHL Business Plan Competition 2011 (or its facebook). Praise the Lord, that my team is one of the shortlisted.
We were exposed to challenging sessions of talks, hands-on and most importantly, we did lots and lots of business presentation and pitches to panel of judges, and some fellow angel investors. Briefly, 'business pitching' means you present your business idea or plan to the investors, hoping they will invest certain amount of $ into your company. It is the hope of ministry to born young entrepreneurs among university students in Malaysia.
The main point I have realized after sessions of pitching to all these successful businessperson, is to speak 'their language'. Many times, especially when we who come from technical background, such as engineering, manufacturing or IT sciences, tend to speak in our technical way. Getting used to our normal environment around us, we get used to speak words, phrases and sentences which could only be well understood by our colleagues. We may be too overwhelmed by the uniqueness of our products and inventions, which we could talk non-stop about how good the product is. We tend to show how brilliant our ideas are.
All of these, as a matter of fact are irrelevant and the least important to these investors' eyes. Their interest is very simple. What is your product? How does it look like (hardware, software or system)? How is your company going to make money? And how do you stop competitors from entering your market? - That's it. The technical story behind the system, whether how great is your computer programming behind it, or how sophisticated is the whole manufacturing system - these they won't bother to care.
So next time if you have the chance to pitch your business idea or business plan to investors, kindly make sure you 'speak their language'. Below is the video of which I personally regard as one of the best business pitch ever. Steve Jobs presenting his very first iPhone to the world.
We were exposed to challenging sessions of talks, hands-on and most importantly, we did lots and lots of business presentation and pitches to panel of judges, and some fellow angel investors. Briefly, 'business pitching' means you present your business idea or plan to the investors, hoping they will invest certain amount of $ into your company. It is the hope of ministry to born young entrepreneurs among university students in Malaysia.
The main point I have realized after sessions of pitching to all these successful businessperson, is to speak 'their language'. Many times, especially when we who come from technical background, such as engineering, manufacturing or IT sciences, tend to speak in our technical way. Getting used to our normal environment around us, we get used to speak words, phrases and sentences which could only be well understood by our colleagues. We may be too overwhelmed by the uniqueness of our products and inventions, which we could talk non-stop about how good the product is. We tend to show how brilliant our ideas are.
All of these, as a matter of fact are irrelevant and the least important to these investors' eyes. Their interest is very simple. What is your product? How does it look like (hardware, software or system)? How is your company going to make money? And how do you stop competitors from entering your market? - That's it. The technical story behind the system, whether how great is your computer programming behind it, or how sophisticated is the whole manufacturing system - these they won't bother to care.
So next time if you have the chance to pitch your business idea or business plan to investors, kindly make sure you 'speak their language'. Below is the video of which I personally regard as one of the best business pitch ever. Steve Jobs presenting his very first iPhone to the world.
(Source: YouTube)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
How ten-pin bowling alley works?
I have been to a bowling sports center this morning, located somewhere in JB. After watching for almost an hour of game plays, the thought of how-on-earth does the whole automatic bowling system work? Right from score calculations, to the return of such heavy-balls and most importantly, the collection and rearrangement of all fallen pins.
Bearing that thought in mind, I searched over the internet for answers right away after getting home. Below are 2 videos which I personally feel do answer my curiosity.
Video 1 (Source: YouTube)
Video 2 (Source: YouTube)
After watching these videos, I bet next time when you go for any bowling game, you will appreciate how the great mechanical system working behind the scene.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Self-'Centerism'
The word 'Self-Centerism' just flashed through my minds. Do not bother to look it up in dictionary, because it does not truly exist. I use the phrase 'self-centerism' to describe the human behavior where selfishness has overpowered all other merits.
Very often, we tend to think from our very individual point of views. Needless to say, focused on our own benefits as the main priority at the center. A very good example of myself which I have just realized recently. I often reprimanded a good friend of mine whenever he tends to be concentrating on his work while I am talking to him. I would tell him that this is very impolite. However, I always react the same when someone is talking to me while I am with my work. I never realized that I, too have behaved as what I reprimanded my friend for doing the same fault.
Dear friends, it is extremely easy for us to pin-point 100 mistakes of other people without much effort. But we often failed to notice the 1000 demerits of ourselves until it's too late. So let us be humble, and take some times to examine our own faults before pointing our fingers to people around us. Everyone should play their part in making places around us a better home, before we hope other people to contribute to that.
What is your say?
Very often, we tend to think from our very individual point of views. Needless to say, focused on our own benefits as the main priority at the center. A very good example of myself which I have just realized recently. I often reprimanded a good friend of mine whenever he tends to be concentrating on his work while I am talking to him. I would tell him that this is very impolite. However, I always react the same when someone is talking to me while I am with my work. I never realized that I, too have behaved as what I reprimanded my friend for doing the same fault.
Dear friends, it is extremely easy for us to pin-point 100 mistakes of other people without much effort. But we often failed to notice the 1000 demerits of ourselves until it's too late. So let us be humble, and take some times to examine our own faults before pointing our fingers to people around us. Everyone should play their part in making places around us a better home, before we hope other people to contribute to that.
What is your say?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Experience VS Qualification
I bet this has been a long debated-issue over these years, whether we like it or not. The major change in working environment which threatens experienced-but-less educated employees started in SEA countries back in the late 80s or early 90s. Then is the time when graduates from many overseas universities came back to work in their origin countries. Unless the existing experienced workers go for some sort of upgrading courses, they were forced to resign or to be 'under the new bird'. And very often, the graduates are very arrogant in nature.
But to me, I really agree that education is merely just a piece of paper. Taking for a very simple example. An engineering educated computer science engineer is surely expected to be very capable in the field of computer knowledge. But how about his other soft skills? Will his engineering qualification leading him to solve emergency problems? Will he be knowing what to react should he faced problems not directly related to his area of expertise? I bet he will be at loss. This is where experiences are most needed.
Qualifications are just like 'handbook'. Students nowadays are expecting to work as a robot, every task is expected to be routine. When something broke from the routine chain, we often become hopeless. We have no experience to diagnose the problems, and fixing it back. Paper qualification does not teach us how to live. How to manage our own-self. How should we control our temper, our EQ or our lust. We are expected not to stop learning. Learning not only for exams, but learn from our daily lives. Learn from our mistakes. Learn from other people's stories around us.
So my point of view is that:
1. For educated youngsters, do not be arrogant. Spend our time in listening to the piece of advices (although often very long-winded or sometimes even over-confident) from the experienced elder co-workers or mentors. Chinese proverbs often quoted 'They eat more salt than we eat rice'.
2. For the elder mentors, teach us whatever you feel we would be needing in future. We appreciate that real lot.
But to me, I really agree that education is merely just a piece of paper. Taking for a very simple example. An engineering educated computer science engineer is surely expected to be very capable in the field of computer knowledge. But how about his other soft skills? Will his engineering qualification leading him to solve emergency problems? Will he be knowing what to react should he faced problems not directly related to his area of expertise? I bet he will be at loss. This is where experiences are most needed.
Qualifications are just like 'handbook'. Students nowadays are expecting to work as a robot, every task is expected to be routine. When something broke from the routine chain, we often become hopeless. We have no experience to diagnose the problems, and fixing it back. Paper qualification does not teach us how to live. How to manage our own-self. How should we control our temper, our EQ or our lust. We are expected not to stop learning. Learning not only for exams, but learn from our daily lives. Learn from our mistakes. Learn from other people's stories around us.
So my point of view is that:
1. For educated youngsters, do not be arrogant. Spend our time in listening to the piece of advices (although often very long-winded or sometimes even over-confident) from the experienced elder co-workers or mentors. Chinese proverbs often quoted 'They eat more salt than we eat rice'.
2. For the elder mentors, teach us whatever you feel we would be needing in future. We appreciate that real lot.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Time travel
Time travel - it sounds good, isn't it? I guess it would be everyone's dream to travel through times. We can travel to future in order to fulfill our anxiety regarding our going-to-be. To know how our universe ends could be full of exploration adventure. Or we could go back to rewrite history. We could have our regrets altered. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Is it a science fantasy , or could it be really working?
Many great scientists and mathematicians, including Professor Einstein and Stephen Hawking had foreseen the possibility of traveling through times. Professor Hawking did a simple, yet meaningful experiment in testing the theory regarding traveling back to earlier time. He created an invitation for human-being living in the far future to attend a party in the present year (with the exact date, time and venue) written on the invitation card. If time travel works, he would have successfully meet those time travelers from far future attending his party. The clock strikes the exact time the party to be started, but no one turn up. The conclusion is, traveling back through times is mostly impossible.
Before we try to understand why doesn't it work, we have to know how it is supposed to be working first. One of the most popular theory regarding time traveling is through 'wormholes'. Wormholes are extremely tiny, or super microscopic voids that exist in sub-atomic particle. Even if technology evolves in future enabling us to enlarge these microscopic wormholes for objects to enter, it might still not be working. 'Paradox', most likely will occur. Professor Hawking suggested that the resonance and infinity looping of particles traveling between the two-time-worlds across the wormholes will cause it to explode or collapse long before we could even see it forming. A good example will be the sharp-annoying noise from loud speakers when interfere by microphones.
However the good news is, time travel into future is POSSIBLE. Time is not an absolute matter. It is deviated when passing through very dense object. The densest object in the universe? Black holes. If we could fly around black holes without being sucked in into the 'everlasting trap', we could slow our time when flying through it. When you fly long enough, say 10 days around the black hole and return to earth, years could have passed on earth. This, is a one way ticket. You can't go back to earlier time. As black holes are very difficult to locate, and it is almost impossible to be closer enough to black holes without being sucked in, the second solution is travel at very high speed - at speed closer to speed of light. Traveling at light speed, or close to the speed of light could slow our time too.
If one day, the time machine is available, where and when would you love to go and have a look?
Is it a science fantasy , or could it be really working?
Many great scientists and mathematicians, including Professor Einstein and Stephen Hawking had foreseen the possibility of traveling through times. Professor Hawking did a simple, yet meaningful experiment in testing the theory regarding traveling back to earlier time. He created an invitation for human-being living in the far future to attend a party in the present year (with the exact date, time and venue) written on the invitation card. If time travel works, he would have successfully meet those time travelers from far future attending his party. The clock strikes the exact time the party to be started, but no one turn up. The conclusion is, traveling back through times is mostly impossible.
Before we try to understand why doesn't it work, we have to know how it is supposed to be working first. One of the most popular theory regarding time traveling is through 'wormholes'. Wormholes are extremely tiny, or super microscopic voids that exist in sub-atomic particle. Even if technology evolves in future enabling us to enlarge these microscopic wormholes for objects to enter, it might still not be working. 'Paradox', most likely will occur. Professor Hawking suggested that the resonance and infinity looping of particles traveling between the two-time-worlds across the wormholes will cause it to explode or collapse long before we could even see it forming. A good example will be the sharp-annoying noise from loud speakers when interfere by microphones.
However the good news is, time travel into future is POSSIBLE. Time is not an absolute matter. It is deviated when passing through very dense object. The densest object in the universe? Black holes. If we could fly around black holes without being sucked in into the 'everlasting trap', we could slow our time when flying through it. When you fly long enough, say 10 days around the black hole and return to earth, years could have passed on earth. This, is a one way ticket. You can't go back to earlier time. As black holes are very difficult to locate, and it is almost impossible to be closer enough to black holes without being sucked in, the second solution is travel at very high speed - at speed closer to speed of light. Traveling at light speed, or close to the speed of light could slow our time too.
If one day, the time machine is available, where and when would you love to go and have a look?
Does true friend exist?
Very often we might hear people saying that it is a very fortunate thing if you can ever get ONE best friend in your lifetime. How far do you agree with it?
I remembered having a lots of good friends when I was a small kid. I begin to realize that my friends are getting lesser as I grew up. It becomes even clearer reaching the age of 20+. Unless when I was needed, I have almost nil friend to be with. Does the problem lies with me? Saying I am not a very socialize person? A very boring person? I don't know.
Throughout the years, I did make one or two good friends in each season. However, the friendship will always end when we reached the closest relationship (just one step close to being best friend) for some funny reasons. My 1st good friend quarrel with me because of toilet-sharing issue when we lived together in University days. We are paying for the same rate of room rental, he locked the toilet almost every morning inside his room. The war began when I sounded him. My 2nd good friend left me because the girl he liked rejected him using me as a fake excuse. Believing her, he blamed me.
Since then, I didn't make any more good friends.
DO NOT let anyone just simply plug in their USB devices to your laptop
I have just read an article regarding the latest threat posed by USB devices to our laptops, PCs or even mobile phones. The researchers had found out that a type of hacking program (or malware) may now become undetectable through USB connectors attached to the PCs. The reason for the invisible is that very often this type of malware operates as normal USB hardware (such as mouse, keyboard or joystick attached to PCs) which is almost passable to most antivirus software.
So, the only prevention method is NEVER ever let any stranger just simply plug in any of their USB devices into your prestigious PCs.
More information is available at here (This is also the original website from where I read of the article).
It does no harm in spending some time reading over it
So, the only prevention method is NEVER ever let any stranger just simply plug in any of their USB devices into your prestigious PCs.
More information is available at here (This is also the original website from where I read of the article).
It does no harm in spending some time reading over it
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chinese New Year 2011
The clock has struck 12.00am marking the over of year 2010 in Chinese Calendar. I am spending the new year with my Mum in JB this year, rather than going back to hometown. So my Dad and younger brother will be in Sibu celebrating the new year with relatives. The reason? Mainly due to very costly air tickets.
Since I was a small kid, I enjoy the new year preparation days. The feeling is great because of the strong sense of family bond and kinship. The busy days throughout the whole year with each other dazzling through our own activities every day, it is only during the new year we get to do things together; cleaning house, baking cake, buying cookies, etc. Doing all these stuffs as a family make us feel blessed.
Watching the fireworks from my 3rd-storey living place last night, I am thinking of my home, my home-sweet-home in Sibu. I was thinking, if I am not doing my PhD currently in JB, but instead I am working in my hometown, how would that be? Or if I have become a successful breadwinner in JB and have my family from Sibu move out here and living with us, wouldn't that be marvelous?
In life, we often can make decision one at a time. It reminds me of an English poem named 'The Road Not Taken'. It describes best about the alternate road that we are unable to take when we have chosen to walk through the preferred one.
How far do you agree with it?
Since I was a small kid, I enjoy the new year preparation days. The feeling is great because of the strong sense of family bond and kinship. The busy days throughout the whole year with each other dazzling through our own activities every day, it is only during the new year we get to do things together; cleaning house, baking cake, buying cookies, etc. Doing all these stuffs as a family make us feel blessed.
Watching the fireworks from my 3rd-storey living place last night, I am thinking of my home, my home-sweet-home in Sibu. I was thinking, if I am not doing my PhD currently in JB, but instead I am working in my hometown, how would that be? Or if I have become a successful breadwinner in JB and have my family from Sibu move out here and living with us, wouldn't that be marvelous?
In life, we often can make decision one at a time. It reminds me of an English poem named 'The Road Not Taken'. It describes best about the alternate road that we are unable to take when we have chosen to walk through the preferred one.
How far do you agree with it?
Science education - How much of the theory is true enough?
In science class, we were taught that atom is the smallest particle available in the universe. Everything around us is made up from combinations of these atoms.Earth studies told us that our living continents are moving slowly around the Earth's crust like floated platforms moving on water. The constant friction between the giant plates creates earthquakes. What if, one day we found out that the contemporary teachings and theories were not complete enough? That means everything we have learnt and known need to be redefined.
It was recently found by scientists that the atom is able to be divided into smaller components, which they named as sub-atom. This sub-atomic theory was then realized to be able to describe the birth of universe. Although this theory contradicts the well-known theory of general relativity by Einstein, both theories describe our universe fitly in their own respective way.
I have read of some articles saying that our Earth is actually growing and expanding throughout these years since its birth. The expansion of Earth's diameter has caused the continents that we are living in to crack and become sub-divided into several smaller tectonic plates. If this theory happened to be true, it means that the tectonic studies and plate movement mechanism used for earthquake studies need to be redefined.
I slowly become aware that nothing is perfect as I grow up. In fact, things become even clearer when I entered the world of industry. Most theories, or products were being commercialized even before they are fully tested. Most system providers will tend to do R&D of their product alongside the implementation.
Therefore, we are living in a contemporary world - that the world is everyday improving and changing. What we know today might become wrong the next day.
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