My journey in UPM (Part #3 - finish)

Given a second chance, I would do it all over again but....

Writing hundreds lines of computer programs is not the most interesting thing to do; sometimes it bore me, especially when many errors came up after I executed the codes.  To live beyond such depressing moments, I would go about other leisure activities to refresh my mind and take time off research work. Sometimes, I even travelled to new places in Malaysia and other ASEAN countries, to see beautiful sceneries and experience rich cultures. This took me to tourism destinations in Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei Darussalam. In 2011, I spent 10 days in Fuzhou and Guangzhou China attending the first spatial data mining conference, after which I managed to travel around the two cities widely. Moreover, I also stayed in Los Banos, the Philippines for two months, from February to March 2012, to do research internship in the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) main office.

I am passionate about photography and I like to capture images of nature in its undisturbed form and especially flowers. I never had any formal photography skills but the inspiration I derive from nature keeps me glued to my camera for a chance to capture one of those abundant breath-taking and beautiful natural sceneries that adorn planet earth, created by God.  

Since arriving in Malaysia, I have grown 3.5 years older and transformed in many ways. I have gained in knowledge and friends, and had alot of fun. And so, given a second chance, would I do it all over again? Yes of course, but…… :)

Read More

My journey in UPM (Part #2)

Given a second chance, I would do it all over again but....

I particularly enjoyed my stay at the International College (now renamed to Mohammad Rashid College), where I stayed since my arrival at UPM.  Living on the campus was exciting in many respects; with many local and International students. Also, the proximity to facilities surrounding the residential college such as the food court, jogging track in a beautiful garden “Bukit Expo” (see the photos), and the health centre were important considerations when I decided to stay on campus rather than outside the campus. I came to interact with many friends from different countries and in the process improved my English speaking capabilities. We would share stories about our culture, taste our different local foods, help each other in our daily living and our study, and spend time visiting interesting places in Malaysia. My friends at UPM were family to me, who made my life in UPM easy and enjoyable. This supported me in completing my study on time.

In addition to academics, I actively participated in students’ association activities especially those conducted by UPMISA and Indonesian Students’ Association.  In the period 2011-2012, I was elected as the president of Indonesian Students’ Association to manage the association’s programs by engaging with the management of UPM, the Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian Students’ Associations from other universities in Malaysia. This position improved my communication skills, leadership abilities, and time management.  It was not all too easy since I had to fulfil my responsibilities for the association and conduct my research at the same time. However, with hard work, discipline, and proper time management, I successfully complete these two tasks.

Read More

My journey in UPM (Part #1)

Given a second chance, I would do it all over again but....

 

This is the story of my journey through UPM, as a PhD student; a journey that has shaped my life in ways I never imagined possible. In July 2009, I arrived at UPM as a new PhD student of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology.  Shortly afterwards, I enrolled in  a few courses at the same faculty and later at the faculty of Forestry, related to my research. I was exposed to entirely new horizons in the course of my lectures; I enjoyed the style of lectures, and made friends with students from very culturally diverse backgrounds.

By the 2nd semester, I had completed the required courses for the award of a PhD at UPM, and in addition I had presented at conferences in Malaysia, Thailand and China. I was also fortunate to have published several articles in journals and local bulletins. Naturally, because a doctoral degree is the highest academic qualification from a university, expectations from a graduate are generally through the roof, hence I went on to enhance my soft skills beyond what was learnt in the classroom; I attended trainings and workshops that were conducted in UPM and even outside Malaysia, which I thought would come in handy during the course of my study and my future career.  

My PhD research was not to begin until the 3rd semester of enrolment at UPM. Aside from the usual challenges of pursuing a doctoral degree, I was faced with an even bigger challenge; no one in the faculty had done a doctoral dissertation in the area I was doing mine. This was particularly challenging and motivating at the same time.  For me, being a PhD student meant being a self learner, who needed independence, determination, and creativity. As it would turn out, my unique challenge pushed me beyond limits that I thought I couldn’t exceed.

My daily routines included working with large data sets, creating computer programs, running experiments and writing progress reports, all with enthusiasm, patience, and the belief that a day would come when my efforts would result in fruitful yields. Eventually, my dissertation writing started in May 2012 and I submitted it for examination in September of the same year. Preparing and presenting progress reports to all supervisor committee at least twice in a semester were helpful especially in completing my dissertation writing on time and presenting my research results in the viva.

Thanks to friends Kankou Komara and Mustapha Umar Imam for proofreading :)

Read More

Celebrating the 68th Indonesia Independence Day, 17 August 2013

Celebrating the 68th Indonesia Independence Day, 17 August 2013
"Don't ask what has the country gave to you, but ask what have you done for this country"

Read More

Eid fitr 1434 Hijriah

May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala’s) blessings always be with us. Aamiin
Eid Mubarak

Read More

Colmar Tropicale, a French-themed village, 2nd March 2013

Colmar Tropicale is a French-themed village situated in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia. You can reach this place by car for about and hour from Kuala Lumpur.
Related link: http://www.colmartropicale.com.my/

Read More

Flowers at Colmar Tropicale, Malaysia

Here are some pictures I took at Colmar Tropicale, Berjaya Hill, Pahang, Malaysia, 2 March 2013.  I always enjoy capturing flower's photos...because I love flowers.....:) They are so beautiful. 

Read More

I like Strawberry

Strawberry… yes… I like it so much, especially if it has been processed to be fresh strawberry juice. Even my country is not included in the list of countries that produce much strawberry, but here we are easy to find this fruit.  In traditional market, I can get this fruit in fresh with the price IDR 30,000 per kg. It’s very cheap right…? :) Just add some honey into strawberry juice, to get tasty and healthy juice.  This fruit contains much vitamin C, folate, and vitamin A, as well as some minerals such as calcium and  phosphorus that are good for your bones.  So…keep health with a cheap way… drink strawberry juice.

Read More

The Green of Bogor Agricultural University

Congratulations to Bogor Agricultural University as the 27th place in the UI Greenmetric World University Rangking 
Source: http://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/id/page/ranking-2012

Read More

Remembering the place "Volendams Museum"

The thing I do in free time is to view my old albums. Sometimes I smile looking the photos, remembering the moment and memories figured on it.  This is one of the photos that I captured in Volendams on 1st November 2008, the small city near Amsterdam.  Here we can find various souvenirs specifically from The Netherland.  The Volendams museum is the eyes-catching building you will see when you arrive in Volendams.  It is a nice place… hope I can visit this place next time.

Read More

Buko with Strawberry

Staying three months in Los Banos, the Philippines starting from February to April 2012 didn’t make me enjoy to taste local food because of some reasons. But I was lucky to have this “Buko ice with strawberry” in food court SM Calamba.  The ingredients are buko means coconut, I mean young coconut, ice, milk, sugar syrup, and strawberry.  It’s fresh and tasty.  I like it so much. This drink makes me feel missing friends and the city "Los Banos".  I recommend you to taste Buko with strawberry if you visit Los Banos.

Read More