| April 8, 2002 Intelligent Urban Systems Sdn. Bhd. (IUS), a member of the Aldrich group of companies, was recently selected to provide ICT systems and software applications, structured cabling systems, and library security systems to support Universiti Industri Selangor (UNISEL)'s operations and goals. IUS has a strong track record in providing ICT systems to various projects including the Putrajaya's City Control Center (Phase 1), UNIMAS's Virtual Reality Competency Centre, amongst others. With IUS's capabilities in harnessing technology to improve the way UNISEL's campus is run, UNISEL would be capable to bring itself to cost effectively, provide better services to its students, as well as to Selangor Darul Ehsan. UNISEL is the first and only state-owned private university having recently established in 1999. The project valued at approximately RM2.9 million includes the following modules: 1) Information Technology Equipment and software applications, including Network Architecture, Hardware Platform, and Communication Gateway. Design, Supply, Deliver, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Post-Acceptance Support and Maintenance Services of Information Technology Equipment and Software Applications, which includes but not limited to Network Management Server, Firewall Server, Workstation, Network Equipment, Uninterrupted Power Supply, Color Laser Printer, Laser Printer, Photocopier, Voice over IP(VoIP), Photocopier + Printer + Fax + Scanner and their software applications 2) Advanced Structured Cabling System Design, Supply, Deliver, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Post-Acceptance Support and Maintenance Services of the Structured Cabling System which include both Cat6 UTP Cable and Air Brown Fiber Optic. 3) Library Security System Infrastructure Design, Supply, Deliver, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Post-Acceptance Support and Maintenance Services of the Library Security System. |
Thursday, 25 August 2011
IUS selected to provide ICT systems and solutions for UNISEL.
UKM’s Micro Chips Help Duck Farmer Improve Productivity
NUSAJAYA, 2 August 2011 – From far, the duck coop of vegetable farmer Zamberi Abu Hassan, 43, looks just like any other – built with planks and half covered with wire gauze and the roof formed by rusting zinc sheets.
However, with expertise from UKM’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FEBE) in Bangi, the interior of the small shack has been transformed into a high technology coop – within a day and relieving its owner of a huge burden.
UKM brought its micro-controller project to Kampung Bukit Tempurung, at Gelang Patah, Nusajaya, and installed the miniature components at the coop housing the Khaki Cambell variety of ducks which are very sensitive to the way they are tended to.
The Head of the Electrical, Electronics and Systems Engineering Department (JKEES) at FEBE, Associate Professor Dr Hafizah Husain, said the hi-tech components installed have four functions:
However, with expertise from UKM’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FEBE) in Bangi, the interior of the small shack has been transformed into a high technology coop – within a day and relieving its owner of a huge burden.
UKM brought its micro-controller project to Kampung Bukit Tempurung, at Gelang Patah, Nusajaya, and installed the miniature components at the coop housing the Khaki Cambell variety of ducks which are very sensitive to the way they are tended to.
The Head of the Electrical, Electronics and Systems Engineering Department (JKEES) at FEBE, Associate Professor Dr Hafizah Husain, said the hi-tech components installed have four functions:
· Regulate the eating schedule – a special trough installed with microchip controllers automatically pours grains from a machine three times daily according to a set schedule.
· Lighting is controlled - sensors are used to detect the amount of daylight so that bulbs glow to provide an extra four hours of light after sundown.
· Deliver water supply when necessary – the programming of the micro-chips enable them to check on the availability of water in the pen and increase the supply from a water drum.
· Keep away rodents – sensors are used to detect the presence of mice, iguana and monkeys, with special equipment installed to repel them.
It all started when Muhamad Amirul bin Zamberi, 17, a Form Five student at the Taman Nusa Jaya National Secondary School, found that every time his father leaves the farm to sell vegetables around Gelang Patah, his egg-laying ducks are left unsupervised, resulting in overfeeding, not being fed at regular times and at times lacking water.
It so happened that at that particular time, FEBE UKM, with the cooperation of UEMLand, was launching Micro-Controller Mentoring Program at Schools: An Initiative to Develop an Innovative Mindset Among Students at the school. The staff of the UKM Faculty of Information Science and Technology were invited to contribute their expertise.
“In general, the project aims to develop an innovative culture among the younger generation through the multi-prong usage of micro controller chip technology,” said Dr Hafizah.
“Micro controller chips are easily programmed using computers. By connecting them to certain equipment, they can be programmed to carry out various tasks automatically, whether for toys or real applications in industries.
“In fact, their potential is limitless and depends entirely on the creativity of the students.
“Besides inculcating a creative and innovative mindset, students get the chance to explore technology which are not taught in the classroom, thus encouraging them to be more gainfully occupied in their spare time and keep them away from being involved in wayward activities.
“UKM undergraduates act as mentors and help the students in programming the microchip controllers,” she added.
At the school, the “i-itik” (e-ducks) project costing less than RM2,000 is headed by Amirul and three of his colleagues, also from Form Five - Raja Nurhayati binti Raja Mohamed, Sayangku Mahsuri binti Mohd Ali and Zuraini binti Zainuddin. The project was launched under the supervision of Senior Teacher Technical and Vocational Subjects, Siti Norittah binti Ahmad.
Raja Nurhayati said what is so special about the 20 ducks owned by Amirul’s father is that the Khaki Cambell variety is imported and used solely for laying eggs to be sold in the market.
The ducks can lay about 20 eggs a day and in a month supply about 600 eggs, but to ensure this, all the four functions need to be fully automated, hence the use of the micro controller chips.
Zamberi’s close observations showed that if he served a large basin of grain – meant to last the whole day - each morning, the ducks finished it immediately, meaning that they had no food in the afternoon and evenings when no one was around to tend to them. Likewise the flow of water; the ducks sometimes consumed more earlier in the day and the supply ran out towards late afternoon.
The situation used to get out of hand since Zamberi has to leave the farm to sell vegetables in the kampung or at the market while Amirul and his younger siblings are away at school.
What saddened Zamberi and Amirul was their inability to tend to the ducks regularly, which usually resulted in fewer eggs being laid since the ducks become stressful. Sometimes the ducks just move around without laying eggs for a week, especially if they spot mice around the coop.
Hence, it became clear that the grain needed to be dispensed at regular times, and this could now be done by using the microchip controllers. With the help of their UKM mentors, the four students managed to build a cereal dispenser that releases the grain at precisely 7 in the morning, in the afternoon and by night fall.
As the ducks require 16 hours of daylight a day, the extra four hours after sunset come from lamps with a computerised switch that come on just prior to full sunset.
It so happened that at that particular time, FEBE UKM, with the cooperation of UEMLand, was launching Micro-Controller Mentoring Program at Schools: An Initiative to Develop an Innovative Mindset Among Students at the school. The staff of the UKM Faculty of Information Science and Technology were invited to contribute their expertise.
“In general, the project aims to develop an innovative culture among the younger generation through the multi-prong usage of micro controller chip technology,” said Dr Hafizah.
“Micro controller chips are easily programmed using computers. By connecting them to certain equipment, they can be programmed to carry out various tasks automatically, whether for toys or real applications in industries.
“In fact, their potential is limitless and depends entirely on the creativity of the students.
“Besides inculcating a creative and innovative mindset, students get the chance to explore technology which are not taught in the classroom, thus encouraging them to be more gainfully occupied in their spare time and keep them away from being involved in wayward activities.
“UKM undergraduates act as mentors and help the students in programming the microchip controllers,” she added.
At the school, the “i-itik” (e-ducks) project costing less than RM2,000 is headed by Amirul and three of his colleagues, also from Form Five - Raja Nurhayati binti Raja Mohamed, Sayangku Mahsuri binti Mohd Ali and Zuraini binti Zainuddin. The project was launched under the supervision of Senior Teacher Technical and Vocational Subjects, Siti Norittah binti Ahmad.
Raja Nurhayati said what is so special about the 20 ducks owned by Amirul’s father is that the Khaki Cambell variety is imported and used solely for laying eggs to be sold in the market.
The ducks can lay about 20 eggs a day and in a month supply about 600 eggs, but to ensure this, all the four functions need to be fully automated, hence the use of the micro controller chips.
Zamberi’s close observations showed that if he served a large basin of grain – meant to last the whole day - each morning, the ducks finished it immediately, meaning that they had no food in the afternoon and evenings when no one was around to tend to them. Likewise the flow of water; the ducks sometimes consumed more earlier in the day and the supply ran out towards late afternoon.
The situation used to get out of hand since Zamberi has to leave the farm to sell vegetables in the kampung or at the market while Amirul and his younger siblings are away at school.
What saddened Zamberi and Amirul was their inability to tend to the ducks regularly, which usually resulted in fewer eggs being laid since the ducks become stressful. Sometimes the ducks just move around without laying eggs for a week, especially if they spot mice around the coop.
Hence, it became clear that the grain needed to be dispensed at regular times, and this could now be done by using the microchip controllers. With the help of their UKM mentors, the four students managed to build a cereal dispenser that releases the grain at precisely 7 in the morning, in the afternoon and by night fall.
As the ducks require 16 hours of daylight a day, the extra four hours after sunset come from lamps with a computerised switch that come on just prior to full sunset.
Dr Hafizah, Zamberi and his son Amirul, as well as the students participating in the project, hope that the use of technology can be expanded to help other farmers in the village also.
“This particular project is being closely watched because it could spur the use of similar modern technology for other farming activities as well and thus make meaningful contributions to the villagers, while for the students they still have more room and opportunity to expand the use of the microchip controllers for other equipment and innovations,” said Dr Hafizah.
“This particular project is being closely watched because it could spur the use of similar modern technology for other farming activities as well and thus make meaningful contributions to the villagers, while for the students they still have more room and opportunity to expand the use of the microchip controllers for other equipment and innovations,” said Dr Hafizah.
GTS - UTP TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION INITIATIVES (11 NOV 2008)
Group Technology Solutions (GTS) of Research & Technology Division in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has officially launched the GTS-UTP Technology Collaboration initiative on 11 November 2008. The event was officiated by Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. Zainal Abidin b Hj. Kasim, Rector of UTP at the university. It was attended by GTS Management, UTP Management, Technology Provider’s representatives from Emerson, Honeywell, Foxboro, Yokogawa, Endress+Hauser, MTL, Pepperl+Fuchs, Fisher, Metso and Masoneilan.
The objectives of the collaboration are:
- To capitalise on PETRONAS’ experience in Oil & Gas industry for the development of technology
- To leverage on Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS experience in R&D & Technology Development
- To pave the way for the Industries and University to work together for future practical technology development
- To accelerate technology development as a catalyst for supporting PETRONAS Technology Agenda
- To instill innovation traits within PETRONAS and UTP, as a step toward inculcating a sustainable innovation culture
In his opening speech, Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. Zainal stressed that UTP shall strive to work together closely with the industries in support of their activities, particularly in research & technology development. On the similar tone, besides the establishment of relationship as research partners, the industries are invited to contribute in the industrial internship and the adjunct lecture programmes that would support the university to develop the expertise required by the industry. Moreover, the collaboration can also act as a stepping stone for UTP to meet the aspirations to achieve “Research” University Status by 2010.
Ir. VR Harindran, Custodian Engineer, Instrument & Control, GTS in his reciprocating address thanked UTP for the assistance given so far and took the opportunity to highlight other activities that are in the pipeline, as part of the GTS – UTP collaboration.
Notable achievements of this unique collaboration is the completion of the FOUNDATION Fieldbus Testing Facilities and Partial Stroke Testing Facilities recently, with close cooperation and support from the technology providers. Both initiatives are driven by GTS, supported by the SKG14 Improvement Working Group (IWG) and the Electrical & Electronics Department of UTP. Testing activities are currently in progress, with the ultimate deliverables being a comprehensive guideline on the implementation of the respective technologies in PETRONAS OPUs.
The guests were then taken on a tour to both facilities, with explanations and demonstrations given to the guest of honour and others by the SKG14 IWG team members, namely Khairul Anwar Idris and Syaimaa A Rahim for the FOUNDATION Fieldbus Testing Facility and Mohd Rashdan Mahmood for the Partial Stroke Testing Facility.
Overall, the event was a huge success, thanks to the assistance and contributions from all collaborators concerned. It is hoped that this will mark the start of an enhanced collaboration between GTS and UTP, focusing on specific technology development. To ensure the sustainability and enhancement of the collaboration, the current GTS-GR-UTP Alliance Steering Committee will be a platform to monitor the progress of the R&D from the Strategic Alliance (SA) partners and Technology Development driven by GTS.
Robots thrill MRSM students at Swinburne Sarawak
KUCHING – Students from the Robotics Club of Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Kuching were thrilled by robotic projects when they visited Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus today, (29 April, 2011-Friday).
The 24 Forms 1, 2 and 4 students were treated to a view diverse range of engineering projects that were designed and built by the university’s final year students. These included a self-balancing suspension for vehicles, prototype of a hover craft and submersible vehicle as well as robotic arms.
The secondary school students were on campus to learn more about robotics and mechatronics engineering in anticipation of their participation in the Robofair competition which will be held in Perak in July.
Robofair is an annual exhibition that is aimed at creating awareness and interest in robotics.
“It has been interesting and I’m very impressed with the window cleaning robot,” said Mohd Arafi Bin Abdul Taib, 16, referring to a brick-sized robot that was designed to climb and clean windows on high-rises.
“We’ve always looked at the function of robots but today we learned how they are designed,” he said.
Having developed an interest in robots since he was 10 years old, Arafi said he is keen on pursuing studies in electronics and mechatronics.
Jamilah Mohammed Jamil, advisor of the MRSM’s five-year-old Robotics Club, found the program for their visit “very comprehensive” and was impressed with the laboratory facilities.
“The labs are really good and it was also good exposure for the students. It gives them an idea of what to expect at university level,” said Jamilah.
Professor Nazim Mir-Nasiri of Swinburne Sarawak’s Robotics and Mechatronics program presented a short talk on the program and showed video footages of some final year student projects, much to the excitement of the audience.
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