University SainsMalaysia
- USM Uses Digital Planetarium to Make Astronomy Attractive to Public
- First Online Braille Tutorial System
- USM Develops Software Application for Testing Soil Strenght and Gradient
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Public Universities
University Sultan Zainal Abidin
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Faster way to scan fingerprints
JOHOR BARU: Visitors to Malaysia coming through the Causeway and the second link will be assured of faster immigration clearance from today as they no longer have to alight their vehicles to have their fingers scanned under the biometric fingerprint scanning system.
They just have to sit back in their vehicles as the scanners at the Immigration booths could be extended to reach the hand of every passenger and driver for them to have their fingers scanned while Immigration officers on duty will verify and stamp their passports as usual.
Immigration personnel have been working around the clock this week to extend the cables connecting every scanner and computer system by 1.7 metres to enable them to be pulled out to reach every vehicle.
Immigration director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad said the hassle-free measure would significantly reduce the time needed for Immigration clearance.
To facilitate the process, Immigration officer will be stationed outside each booth to supervise the scanning process and assist visitors who are new to the system.
"These are among the proactive measures we have adopted in preparation for a possible influx of visitors during the weekends and public holidays. It will be implemented from today."
The security system is being implemented at 96 entry points natiowide from June 1 to curb transboundary crime and terrorist threats.
Previously, foreigners only had to have their passports stamped to enter Malaysia.
Last weekend, the system was too slow to cope with the influx of visitors from Singapore in conjunction with the republic's school holidays.
This slowed down immigration clearance at both the checkpoints at the Sultan Iskandar Building at the Causeway and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex at the second link.
The long and slow traffic leading to the checkpoints from Singapore, disrupted travelling and holiday plans of many Singaporeans and other visitors.
However, immigration clearance at both entry points was reported to be stable during weekdays.
Alias said the fingerprint scanning system had been upgraded to expedite the scanning process.
"For long term measure, we would like to advise foreigners to apply for the Malaysia automated clearance system at any Immigration office for faster Immigration clearance.
"Under the system, foreigners only have to scan their index fingers during the first visit to the country. For subsequent entry, they only need to have their passports stamped."
Immigration personnel have been working around the clock this week to extend the cables connecting every scanner and computer system by 1.7 metres to enable them to be pulled out to reach every vehicle.
Immigration director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad said the hassle-free measure would significantly reduce the time needed for Immigration clearance.
To facilitate the process, Immigration officer will be stationed outside each booth to supervise the scanning process and assist visitors who are new to the system.
"These are among the proactive measures we have adopted in preparation for a possible influx of visitors during the weekends and public holidays. It will be implemented from today."
The security system is being implemented at 96 entry points natiowide from June 1 to curb transboundary crime and terrorist threats.
Previously, foreigners only had to have their passports stamped to enter Malaysia.
Last weekend, the system was too slow to cope with the influx of visitors from Singapore in conjunction with the republic's school holidays.
This slowed down immigration clearance at both the checkpoints at the Sultan Iskandar Building at the Causeway and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex at the second link.
The long and slow traffic leading to the checkpoints from Singapore, disrupted travelling and holiday plans of many Singaporeans and other visitors.
However, immigration clearance at both entry points was reported to be stable during weekdays.
Alias said the fingerprint scanning system had been upgraded to expedite the scanning process.
"For long term measure, we would like to advise foreigners to apply for the Malaysia automated clearance system at any Immigration office for faster Immigration clearance.
"Under the system, foreigners only have to scan their index fingers during the first visit to the country. For subsequent entry, they only need to have their passports stamped."
Source : New Straits Times
Maybank Launches New Savings Campaign & m2u Savers Account. Over 484 cool electronic gadgets to be won!
Maybank is targeting to attract at least RM2.5 billion in its new Save & Win Campaign which is being run for the second consecutive year. The nationwide campaign, on from now until 31 December 2011 is also being held in conjunction with the launch of a new, attractive online savings account called m2u Savers.
Maybank Deputy President and Head of Community Financial Services, Lim Hong Tat, who launched the new campaign at Menara Maybank said that it was in line with the Bank's commitment to promote savings amongst the public as well as enable customers to enjoy the benefits from new products introduced to meet their ever changing needs.
"Developing a good savings habit is among the key foundations for good financial planning, and customers can develop this when they are more aware of the range of savings products and the best available interest rates we offer,"said Lim.
He added that the m2u Savers account offers higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts as it is completely operated via Maybank2u.com, with even the opening and closing of the account being able to be done through the portal.
"Given the online nature of this account, we have been able to pass on the cost benefits through higher interest rates," said Lim. "Apart from interest rates of as high as 2.30% per annum, we are also offering a host of other benefits with just a click of the mouse, including cashless shopping facilities and the ability to undertake a myriad of banking transactions ranging from account balance enquiry, fund transfers and bill payments."
Lim said that for a start, m2u Savers is targeting our existing Maybank2u.com customers of which the volume is increasing steadily. Therefore, our new customers can always open the account by first becoming Maybank2u.com users.
In addition, he said both the Save & Win Campaign and m2u Savers launch will strengthen Maybank's market leadership in the traditional deposit segment.
"As at May 2011, our market share for total traditional deposits stood at 17.8%, which is the no. 1 position in the country. As for our Current account & Savings account retail market share, we are also at the top spot with a 24.5% market share. "
Mr Lim said the Save & Win campaign is also part of Maybank's efforts to reward customers for their overwhelming support. The campaign offers over 484 cool electronic gadgets which include the iPad 2, Garmin GPS navigator, Canon digital camera, HTC Salsa phone, iPod nano and many more. It is open to both new and existing account holders who are automatically eligible for every RM500 deposited into any Maybank Savings and Current accounts or RM1,000 deposited into Fixed Deposit accounts, be it Conventional or Islamic accounts during the campaign period
MALAYSIA AIRPORTS INTRODUCING MORE COMPETITIVE PARKING RATE AT KLIA & LCCT-KLIA
SEPANG – Passengers using the parking facility at LCCT-KLIA can now enjoy a more competitive parking rate as Malaysia Airports will be introducing a new tariff for the LCCT-KLIA effective 1 August.
Compared to the current rate where users paid the same rate regardless of the parking zone, public who park their vehicles at Zone C, which is located farthest from the terminal, will now enjoy a lower parking rate compared to those who parked at Zone A, located nearest to the terminal. The new parking rate for Zone C will also see a reduction of RM3 for long term parking which will now cost RM 33.50 for 24 hours parking.
Zone C, which was an expanded parking area introduced in September 2010, was one of the major facelift that the parking lots at LCCT-KLIA have undergone. An additional 1,100 lots have been allocated, taking the total number of parking lots at LCCT-KLIA to 3,000 lots. 12 additional payment machines have been installed at LCCT-KLIA, with more entrance and exit lanes provided.
Closed-circuit television (cctv) has been increased to enhance security at the parking area, and the parking areas also boost of having the License Plate Recognition System that enables computer systems to read automatically the registration number (license number) of vehicles from digital pictures.
Both parking facilities at KLIA and LCCT-KLIA are already Touch N’ Go able, and to provide extra security, additional close circuit tv (cctv) have been installed.
The new parking rate effective 1 August 2011 will also see revised charges at KLIA’s Main Terminal Building (new rates attached). For both terminals, the normal rate will be re-applied after the 24th hour parking charge. The parking rates are inclusive of 6% service tax as required by the Government.
The revision of the parking rates is in tandem with the enhancement of the services and parking facilities that Malaysia Airports has undertaken to provide more convenience to the public.
Compared to the current rate where users paid the same rate regardless of the parking zone, public who park their vehicles at Zone C, which is located farthest from the terminal, will now enjoy a lower parking rate compared to those who parked at Zone A, located nearest to the terminal. The new parking rate for Zone C will also see a reduction of RM3 for long term parking which will now cost RM 33.50 for 24 hours parking.
Zone C, which was an expanded parking area introduced in September 2010, was one of the major facelift that the parking lots at LCCT-KLIA have undergone. An additional 1,100 lots have been allocated, taking the total number of parking lots at LCCT-KLIA to 3,000 lots. 12 additional payment machines have been installed at LCCT-KLIA, with more entrance and exit lanes provided.
Closed-circuit television (cctv) has been increased to enhance security at the parking area, and the parking areas also boost of having the License Plate Recognition System that enables computer systems to read automatically the registration number (license number) of vehicles from digital pictures.
Both parking facilities at KLIA and LCCT-KLIA are already Touch N’ Go able, and to provide extra security, additional close circuit tv (cctv) have been installed.
The new parking rate effective 1 August 2011 will also see revised charges at KLIA’s Main Terminal Building (new rates attached). For both terminals, the normal rate will be re-applied after the 24th hour parking charge. The parking rates are inclusive of 6% service tax as required by the Government.
The revision of the parking rates is in tandem with the enhancement of the services and parking facilities that Malaysia Airports has undertaken to provide more convenience to the public.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
New touchscreen BlackBerrys being launched
NEW YORK: Research In Motion Ltd unveiled five new BlackBerry phones with touchscreens, as it hopes to revive the line's dwindling appeal in the face of competition from the iPhone and Android smartphones.
The new phones had been expected earlier this year, but were delayed. Though the company is profitable and seeing growing sales, it is increasingly seen as a has-been that missed the chance to parlay the BlackBerry's popularity as a corporate e-mail device into mass-market dominance.
The Canadian company, which is based in Waterloo, Ontario, is updating its high-end Bold models to include touchscreens. It's also launching two Torch models with big screens but no physical keyboards, mimicking the basic design of the iPhone.
RIM launched a keyboard-less touchscreen phone called the Storm in 2008, more than a year after the first iPhone, but the Storm's quirky design and poor software made it a flop.
"The all-touchscreen Torch has been a while coming as a natural successor to the disappointing Storm, particularly when the smartphone market has gone touchscreen mad over the past 18 months," said Malik Saadi, an analyst at Informa.
The phones run a new version of the BlackBerry operating system, which RIM said is much faster, particularly for web browsing.
The Bold models will be the first BlackBerrys to include so-called Near-Field Communications chips, so they can be used in place of credit cards by swiping them across properly equipped payment terminals.
Many companies, including cellphone carriers like AT&T and web companies like Google Inc are promoting the idea of using phones as digital "wallets." - AP
New Straits Times
Send your greetings with Kad Raya app
PETALING JAYA: M3 Technologies Asia (M3Tech) has developed an application called Kad Raya for iOS devices that allows users to send greetings to family and friends.
With this application users can create a Hari Raya greeting card with a personalised message while on the go and in as little time as possible and share it with friends and loved ones.
Kad Raya comes with a simple and easy-to-use user interface. It allows users to use an existing photo or take a snapshot using the built-in camera of a smartphone, for example, to embed and merge with the existing frames on the greeting card.
Another main feature includes sharing the finished greeting card with your loved ones via Facebook and e-mail within the application itself.
Users can also purchase extra frames and icons, and create greeting cards by paying 99 cents (RM3) through the in-app purchase option in the application.
To date, M3Tech has released three greeting card applications, namely for Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
New Straits Times
With this application users can create a Hari Raya greeting card with a personalised message while on the go and in as little time as possible and share it with friends and loved ones.
Kad Raya comes with a simple and easy-to-use user interface. It allows users to use an existing photo or take a snapshot using the built-in camera of a smartphone, for example, to embed and merge with the existing frames on the greeting card.
Another main feature includes sharing the finished greeting card with your loved ones via Facebook and e-mail within the application itself.
Users can also purchase extra frames and icons, and create greeting cards by paying 99 cents (RM3) through the in-app purchase option in the application.
To date, M3Tech has released three greeting card applications, namely for Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
New Straits Times
Do we really need ICT Co-ordinators?
The role of ICT Co-ordinator has been around for decades – ever since, in fact, someone decided that ICT activities ought to be co-ordinated across the curriculum. But why should it be, and what does it even mean to co-ordinate it anyway?
The rationale of co-ordinating ICT across the curriculum is possibly laudable. If the purpose is to ensure that a student is not placed at a disadvantage in terms of learning about and with technology by choosing a particular set of subject options, then I suppose that’s fine. It’s then a matter of digital and, more important, educational equity, and that fits in well with my own values system. But I fear that too often it’s seen as a defensive measure, to prevent the school's being “caught out” whilst being inspected or otherwise evaluated.
The thing is, though, I have been into several schools where there is ICT going on all over the place without its being “co-ordinated” at all. Faced with the dilemma of whether or not to castigate the school for its lack of attentiveness to such matters, or take a more pragmatic approach, I decided on the latter. After all, ICT was happening. The fact that nobody was overseeing it seemed an irrelevance. As Darrell Huff said in his brilliant book How to Lie With Statistics, a difference is only a difference if it makes a difference.
What does “co-ordinating ICT” even mean? Is it to ensure that the same practice happens across the board, which sounds pretty boring to me? Or is it to ensure that the computer labs are not over- or under-booked in any one week? If the latter, then surely all someone needs to do is make sure that everyone has access to a room-booking timetable? Ideally, that should be on the school’s VLE or Learning Platform, so that nobody even has to get up from their chair when they want to book a room (or any other technology come to that), but even a paper copy on the staffroom noticeboard would be OK as long as the school wasn’t on a split site with the computer rooms on one site only. Incidentally, everything I’ve said here about booking computer rooms applies to booking laptops or anything else.
Terry Freedman
http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2011/6/12/do-we-really-need-ict-co-ordinators.html
The rationale of co-ordinating ICT across the curriculum is possibly laudable. If the purpose is to ensure that a student is not placed at a disadvantage in terms of learning about and with technology by choosing a particular set of subject options, then I suppose that’s fine. It’s then a matter of digital and, more important, educational equity, and that fits in well with my own values system. But I fear that too often it’s seen as a defensive measure, to prevent the school's being “caught out” whilst being inspected or otherwise evaluated.
The thing is, though, I have been into several schools where there is ICT going on all over the place without its being “co-ordinated” at all. Faced with the dilemma of whether or not to castigate the school for its lack of attentiveness to such matters, or take a more pragmatic approach, I decided on the latter. After all, ICT was happening. The fact that nobody was overseeing it seemed an irrelevance. As Darrell Huff said in his brilliant book How to Lie With Statistics, a difference is only a difference if it makes a difference.
What does “co-ordinating ICT” even mean? Is it to ensure that the same practice happens across the board, which sounds pretty boring to me? Or is it to ensure that the computer labs are not over- or under-booked in any one week? If the latter, then surely all someone needs to do is make sure that everyone has access to a room-booking timetable? Ideally, that should be on the school’s VLE or Learning Platform, so that nobody even has to get up from their chair when they want to book a room (or any other technology come to that), but even a paper copy on the staffroom noticeboard would be OK as long as the school wasn’t on a split site with the computer rooms on one site only. Incidentally, everything I’ve said here about booking computer rooms applies to booking laptops or anything else.
Terry Freedman
http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2011/6/12/do-we-really-need-ict-co-ordinators.html
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