Malaysia: The first day of GeoSmart Asia 2015 opened its doors to resounding success at Putra World Trade Center, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Host to three momentous conferences under one location, the event witnessed enthusiasts for GeoSmart Asia, GeoBuild Smart Infrastructure and GeoIntelligence Asia-Pacific Forum gathering together to address the evolution, changes and innovation of geospatial technology. With ‘Towards the Next Big Leap’ as the theme this year, the conference was teeming with policy makers, technology providers, end-user segments and academic communities across the APAC region.
The Inaugural-cum-Vision Session saw Dr. Suhazimah Binti Dzazali, Deputy Director General (ICT) MAMPU, Prime Ministers Department, Malaysia, emphasise on the importance of collaboration in an interconnected world.
Emeritus Professor John Trinder, who is the President of Surveying and Spatial Sciences, Institute & Surveying & Geospatial Engineering, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at The University of South Wales, Australia, pointed out how his country was sitting on the fastest moving tectonic plate on Earth, moving north-east at the rate of 70mm per year. This had made the region quite significant for surveying applications.
Stressing on the importance of national special data infrastructure, NG Siau Yong, Director, GeoSpatial Division, Singapore Land Authority, stressed that geospatial information and technology is a key enabler for smart cities.
For Datuk Sr Ahmad Fauzi Bin Nordin, who is the Director General of Survey & Mapping, Department of Survey & Mapping, Malaysia, the exponential growth in data creation makes data management all the more important. He asserted that in order to find the right information at the right time, it is necessary to increase use and reliance on big data technologies.
On this occasion, the Asia Geospatial Excellence Awards were also announced. These awards were presented by Hon. Datuk DR. Abu Bakar Bin Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation Malaysia.
Source: Our correspondent
