Year: 2011

High-impact fundamental research

In my perspective, high-impact fundamental research should be related to the following “extreme” topics:

– Extremely fast (speed of light)
– Extremely small (elementary particles)
– Extremely big (universe)
– Extremely heavy (black hole)
– Extremely high energy (extremely hot)
– Extremely low energy (extremely cold)
– Extremely complex (life)

The above research topics have been inspired by a presentation by Prof. Gerard ‘t Hooft, recipient of the 1999 Nobel Prize in physics for work in electroweak interactions.

Induction course for UTM foreign academic staff

I am one of the facilitators of the induction course for Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) foreign academic staff held at Avillion Legacy Hotel, Melaka. The induction course was attended by UTM foreign academic staff from Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, the UK, Scotland, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russia and Nigeria.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hadinur/sets/72157626508274652

Ihtifal of Sekolah Menengah Islam Hidayah

There is no better way to tell news to tell than that news in pictures. So, please click on the image below to find out the news. Most importantly, my son, Farid Rahman Hadi received a trophy for good academic results in Ihtifal of Sekolah Menengah Islam Hidayah and also appeared with a keyboard with his school group music.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hadinur/sets/72157626466991066

Honorary Doctorate to Indonesian National Education Minister

The following is a very interesting speech by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nuh, Minister of National Education of Indonesia, while receiving an honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) at the 46th UTM Convocation, 26 March 2011.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hadinur/sets/72157626284435019

The speech is also available in pdf format. Please click here.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hadinur/sets/72157626313030661

Courtesy visit to Minister of Education of Indonesia Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nuh

I accompanied the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang paid a courtesy visit to Minister of Education of Indonesia Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nuh. We had a pleasant conversation about higher education in Indonesia and Malaysia, underscoring the strong and increasingly vibrant ties between UTM with universities in Indonesia. Dato’ Zaini Ujang informed Prof. Mohammad Nuh about some of many ongoing projects between UTM and Universities’ in Indonesia.

Dato’ Zaini Ujang and Minister Mohammad Nuh discussed the importance of seizing the opportunities that come with our similarities and common interests in higher education; the two countries must continue their ongoing cooperation, and simultaneously encourage new, innovative ways to take our Malaysia-Indonesia relationship even further. With such a strong Indonesian Scholars presence in Malaysia, the potential is great. The two also talked about the idea of the establishment of “Malaysia – Indonesia Scholars’ Forum”. This forum has several objectives: to develop collegial relationships among scholars from both countries; to strengthen expertise in both Indonesia and Malaysia; and to implement the program of cooperation and synergies, such as research collaborations and student exchange programs.

Dato’ Zaini Ujang presented Minister Mohammad Nuh, a book about cultural innovation, and an invitation to visit UTM in the next convocation, which he positively received.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hadinur/sets/72157625979533288

Keynote presentation at the 3rd Junior Chemists Colloquium

I gave a keynote presentation at the 3rd Junior Chemists Colloquium (3JCC) organized by the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Johor Bahru, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Ibnu Sina Institute for Fundamental Science Studies (IIS) UTM. The event was held at Ibnu Sina Institute for Fundamental Science Studies, UTM from 18 to 19 January 2011.

https://flic.kr/p/9gkWgw

Perspektif mengenai kesuksesan

Saya terkesan dengan artikel yang ditulis oleh Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Naib Canselor Universiti Sains Malaysia yang berjudul “Perspective: Impact, not impact factor” di New Straits Times pada 1 Januari 2011. Artikel tersebut ditulis atas dipilihnya untuk pertama kali tiga Profesor ulung (distinguished professor) di Malaysia; Profesor Tan Sri Mohd Kamal Hassan, Profesor Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin dan Profesor Lai-Meng Looi. Dalam tulisannya beliau mengatakan bahwa pemilihan Profesor ulung ini tidak hanya berdasarkan angka-angka biasa dan indikator nyata biasanya terkait dengan kesuksesan ilmiah (seperti jumlah penerbitan, paten atau jumlah geran penyelidikan) — tetapi didasarkan kepada ketokohan dan kepemimpinan mereka dalam bidang intelektual. Yang paling penting lagi adalah, tokoh-tokoh ini dapat dijadikan panutan dari segi integritas keilmuwan dan juga kepribadian.

Dua hari yang lalu saya berbincang-bincang dengen kolega saya; Dr. Jon Efendi sehabis jam kantor mengenai apa itu ‘kesuksesan’: Kesuksesan dalam hidup. Kesuksesan yang menjadi manfaat bagi masyarakat banyak. Beliau memberikan contoh seseorang yang dinilai sukses dalam kepemimpinan intelektual, sehingga disegani oleh orang lain. Profesor Isjrin Noerdin, bekas dekan FMIPA ITB pada awal tahun 60-an dan rektor IKIP Padang pada tahun 1965-1973 adalah orang yang beliau maksudkan. Dr. Jon mengatakan, Prof. Isjrin masih menjadi pembicaraan sampai saat ini. Banyak yang membandingkan kepemimpinan beliau yang begitu cemerlang membawa institusi yang beliau pimpin menjadi institusi yang disegani dengan keadaan zaman sekarang, dan biasanya awal kalimat yang keluar dari mulut orang tersebut adalah “ketika zaman Prof. Isjrin… ” dan dilanjutkan dengan cerita bagaimana Prof. Isjrin bertindak dan membuat kebijakan. Prof. Isjrin mungkin tidak mempunyai ‘impact factor‘, tetapi kehadiran dan hasil kerja beliau telah memberikan ‘impact‘ yang positif kepada universitas dan pembangunan pendidikan tinggi di Sumatera Barat.

“Scientific integrity must always come first.”