Award winning technology detects faults before blackouts

A Curtin University researcher who developed a technique to detect transformer faults responsible for power outages is the winner of the 2012 Curtin Commercial Innovation Awards.

Dr Ahmed Abu-Siada has created a software-based technique that creates an image of how the transformer should be functioning, and then detects faults in real-time without disrupting the supply of power.

Director of Curtin’s Office of IP Commercialisation, Rohan McDougall, said transformers are a vital piece of electricity infrastructure, and transformer failures can be catastrophic, leading to explosions, fires and power outages, making this a critical innovation.

“When a major fault occurs on an in-service transformer, the results can be far-reaching, requiring costly repairs, causing environmental damage and resulting in potential for serious injury – the costs can run into millions of dollars,” he said.

“But this technique created by Dr Abu-Siada is able to identify the type of fault, and even issue an early warning signal, causing minimal disruption to electricity supply and end users.”

The real advantage to the technique is its ability to be applied every 20 milliseconds to immediately detect changes to the transformer. It uses algorithms to provide a visual output to the service technician, who can then identify the faulty transformer and know the fault type they are dealing with before fixing it.

Curtin is currently looking at opportunities to develop commercial relationships to further develop and implement this unique technology.

Professor Xiangyu Wang was named runner-up for developing an integrated system for the iPad and other handheld devices, to solve significant time and cost issues in mega construction projects. The system works by intelligently extracting information from a variety of sources and putting it in the hands of the worker, in situ.

The Early Research Career Award was presented to a PhD student, Chiragkumar Desai, who developed a mini-emulsion method for drug delivery, which improves the bioavailability and safety profile of drugs.

The Awards were established in 2007 and aim to identify new technologies, products or services arising from research at Curtin, with prizes for this year totalling more than $40,000 in cash and in commercialisation services provided by the award’s sponsors.

Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Development, Professor Graeme Wright, said the winning technology was a fine example of the University’s high level, industry-relevant research and focus on providing a range of practical solutions to community needs.

“Dr Ahmed Abu-Siada is well deserving of this award and the detection of faults in power transformers is a great example of the commercial potential coming out of Curtin,” Professor Wright said.

“All of our finalists and winners at today’s Awards demonstrate the University’s strength in this area and should be commended for their achievements. In the years to come, we will see many more fine examples of products and solutions that offer real commercial potential and provide significant benefits to the community.

Beating the gridlock

Story by Fiona Killman

Associate Professor Hai Vu with Andrew Wall, Manager Network Operations at VicRoads Photo: Eamon Gallagher

Traffic managers across Australia are under constant pressure to ensure roads run efficiently as the growing population increases traffic congestion. This is why the Victorian Road Authority, VicRoads, is working with Swinburne to implement an intelligent transport system for Melbourne.

“There is a lot more traffic on the road network, especially in the inner and middle parts of Melbourne,” Andrew Wall, Manager Network Operations at VicRoads says. “There is no more space to build our way out of the problem, so we have got to be smarter about how we use our existing roads. This involves the use of intelligent transport systems to give priority to transport that moves more people, and encourages drivers to make different choices about how they travel.”

To develop the system, Swinburne and VicRoads launched Victoria’s first dedicated traffic analysis research centre in April. Researchers at the Swinburne Intelligent Transport Systems Laboratory, based at the Hawthorn campus, will analyse live traffic data to develop new technology and algorithms to help improve traffic flow and make the journey safer for drivers by reducing collisions and managing disruptions.

Better informed, better managed trafficWall says the Swinburne team will receive data from every signalised intersection in Melbourne. “By partnering with academia we open up opportunities for more research that not only assists us to better manage the roads and make use of the wealth of data we collect, but also provides fantastic learning opportunities for students and researchers,” he says. 

Head of the laboratory, Associate Professor Hai Vu, from Swinburne’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies, says advancements in technology enabling better access to more accurate, real-time information, inspired him to look into intelligent transport systems and approach VicRoads.

“I live in Melbourne and like many other big cities, traffic congestion has a huge impact on social and economic activities – not to mention how frustrating it can be for drivers. I see the opportunity where understanding how and when congestion occurs from traffic data can help to improve the situation. This is the idea underpinning this exciting new partnership,” he says. 

“We can apply information and knowledge gained from traffic data to better utilise and manage our road infrastructure, and Swinburne has a lot of research activities and expertise in this area,” he says.

Rethinking transport systemsThe Swinburne team brings to the project extensive research expertise in networks and data communication, artificial intelligence and knowledge of data intensive systems, their management and control. The team also has expertise in sustainable infrastructure and transportation.

Associate Professor Vu says the laboratory will collaborate with Australian and international universities, including the University of Queensland, University of Melbourne and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. This will form partnerships with other leading researchers tackling this difficult problem and leverage the experience of similar initiatives overseas such as the co-operative traffic management centre in the Netherlands.

Wall says the initial role of VicRoads is to provide access to data and the traffic signal system; however, they plan to work with researchers in the near future to identify problems and solutions to improve traffic flow and reduce collisions and incidents.

“The university researchers have a lot of different skills and can bring completely different ways of thinking,” he says.

The driver experience“What people value is reliability,” Wall says. “If it generally takes a driver 20 minutes to get to work, we want it to consistently take 20 minutes.”

Intelligent transport systems aim to deliver more consistent and safer travel through improved traffic management, increased use of public transport and new technology. In the short term, this will mean changes to traffic signal timing in hot spots, as well as other strategies to improve traffic flow and ensure less disruption to public transport.

In the future, improved navigation systems could provide drivers with optimal turn-by-turn guidance based on live information about traffic congestion and incidents on their travel path. On-board technology could also identify when a driver is stressed or fatigued.

Under an intelligent transport system, communication between vehicles – an area Associate Professor Vu has been researching for some time – has the potential to reduce collisions and fatalities on the road by warning surrounding vehicles about sudden braking or other problems, so drivers can react faster.

“My vision is a transportation system where we can have cars, trains, buses and trams all connected, sharing information and interacting with people. It’s all part of a future digital society,” Associate Professor Vu says. 

INFORMATION BY :

SEGi Produces Ethical Computer Hackers

The pervasiveness of computers is continuing to grow at an exceptional rate. As we become increasingly dependant on technology across all aspects of our life, we also become increasingly susceptible to security threats, which can occur hourly in a computers system.

Computers are systematically being victimised by epidemic hacking. As the rate of hacking attacks gradually increases around the world, it becomes a major concern within organizations regardless of their network infrastructures. 

However, this threat also presents a great opportunity for those who are versed in the field of ‘ethical hacking’. Ethical hacking is the scientific approach of understanding tools, techniques and methodologies used by malicious hackers with the aim of developing a security system which is non-hackable. 

In recognising this opportunity, SEGi University College collaborates with EC-Council Academy to integrate EC-Council IT Security Programme, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), into the Bachelor of IT (Hons) programme and offer the CEH course to its students as an industry skill course. 

To formalise this collaboration, an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between SEGi University College and EC-Council Academy was held on 14 April 2011 at the SEGi flagship campus in Kota Damansara.

Signing the MOU was Emeritus Professor Dr. Muhamad Awang, SEGi University College Vice-Chancellor, and Wilson Wong, EC-Council Asia Pacific Managing Director. Also present to witness the signing was Professor Dr. BC Tan, SEGi University College Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, and Chin Yuen Kin, EC-Council Academy Centre Director. 

During his welcome address, Professor Muhamad said, “We are all guilty of being increasingly dependent on technology in our everyday lives. We rely on it in both our work lives and personal lives to do anything from gathering and storing information, to retrieving and sending it. I am sure that for most people present today it has become pervasive – from your smart phones and tablets to your company networks and servers. 

“This increasing dependence on information technology is creating a need to improve the confidentiality and integrity of electronic information, to ensure that computer and communications systems are less vulnerable to intentional and accidental error or misuse. The key is for those professionals who are in change of overseeing the security to think like a hacker, thus always staying one step ahead.” 

In addition to the CEH course, the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) offers a whole spectrum of industry-standard IT Security and E-Business programmes to address these critical issues across all industries. The EC-Council certification programmes combine both business and technical training to impart solid background necessary to build successful e-Businesses. 

Following Professor Muhamad’s opening address, Mr. Wong spoke about the collaboration with SEGi and the importance of computer security. 

“Cyber attacks are frequent and efficient; there are financial frauds, data beaches, cyber threats and attack news reported daily. Cyber attack towards organizations increases steadily over the years, even with increased IT infrastructure investment every year. Organizations today are taking note on the importance of well-trained IT Security professionals on maintaining and securing the business and reputation of an organization. The industry is in urgent need for cyber warriors to deal with cyber attacks that may occur anytime,” added Mr Wong. 

“According to MSC Malaysia Supply-Demand Study of the ICT Industry by Frost & Sullivan, The MSC cluster is poised to add 50,000 new knowledge workers over the next three years (2010-2012). The MOU today reflects SEGi University College and EC-Council Academy contribution of producing a pool of highly skilled cyber warriors as the country gets closer towards its ambition to be a developed nation by 2020.” 

To date, SEGi Education Group is the largest private institution of higher learning in Malaysia with more than 23,000 students across its six campuses in Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya, Penang, Sri Kenbangan and Kuching. 

SEGi Education Group offers programmes from foundation and diploma level to bachelor and master degrees in information technology, medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, health sciences, business, engineering, built environment, creative design, hospitality & tourism, education and social sciences. They also offer the popular American Degree Program as well as the Doctor of Business Administration.

Limkokwing Creativity Grooms ICT-Savvy Talents

An advocate of creativity and innovation since the 1970s, the Limkokwing University of Creativity Technology (LUCT) is taking the lead by producing graduates equipped with the right skills and capabilities to drive the ICT industry and their careers.

ICE- a way of life

Information technology is very much a part of everyday life: the computer occupies a central position not only in business organisations but increasingly in fields as diverse as manufacturing to space exploration and banking.

This has created a wealth of opportunities for Malaysia, which is moving into a high-income and innovation-driven economy, one area that well-qualified ICT graduates are able to provide the momentum to propel it.

Geared for success

The LUCT Faculty of Information and Communication Technology offers internationally-recognised BSc degrees including Mobile Computing, Games Technology and Business Information Technology, as well as postgraduates studies in Computer Networking and Communication. Delve into the exciting world of ICT where you will get to learn all you’ve ever wanted to know about:

• Games Programming
• Digital Modelling and Animation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Interactive Multimedia
• Real-Time Systems
• Internet Security Knowledge
• Grid Computing

High-flying ICT careers

The programmes are tailored to ensure graduates are industry-ready and able to blend in with different cultures and nationalities, making them attractive to potential employers.

Some of the career options one would consider as an ICT graduate would be:

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

A CIO heads the IT group within an organisation, and usually reports to the chief executive officer (CEO). You will be the visionary ICT leader, spearheading ambitious projects that will enhance the growth and business strategy of the organisation and will be responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the organisation’s IT infrastructure.

Security Analyst

As the person ensuring the security of the organisation, you will have to be privy to security breaches and network intrusions. The guardian of the ICT hardware and software, you handle all security documentation and assess the suitability of new technologies on existing or planned systems.

Analyst Programmer

This role requires knowledge of a variety of programming languages. If you’re good at programming, you will enjoy installing, designing, modifying, testing and writing programmes, and supporting work teams and solving problems with software.

Blending the world’s diverse cultures

The Limkokwing campus in Cyberjaya is an experience unlike any other. Students from all over the world converge, making it a dynamic multicultural environment with 70% of the 9,000 students coming from over 160 countries worldwide.

The university has some 30,000 students studying in its 12 campuses in Botswana, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. A big part of its appeal is the university’s innovative brand of creative education that merges the best of East and West education.

Experience London

In a rapidly developing world, the learning experience today has to include exposing young people to global business trends and innovation.

London - one of the world’s most vibrant and lively cities - is the heart of Limkokwing’s Global Research Centre for Creativity and Innovation.

Located in the heart of thriving Piccadilly, the campus provides students a unique opportunity to cross over to nearby locations for research in business, design, multimedia or any other fields of study.

An ICT student now has an opportunity to graduate with two awards, one Asian and one British. This is an exclusive route for Limkokwing students to spend their final year or semester in London, enabling them to obtain a Limkokwing award and a second credential from Anglia Ruskin University of Cambridge or University of Gloucestershire, UK.

Help University

INTI's Industry Collaborations Link Students

IBM, Cisco and SAP are among INTI’s list of global IT partners providing students with cutting edge technological know-how and professional certification to ensure their high employability upon graduation.

In fulfilling its brand promise to bring industry into the classroom, INTI through synergistic alliances such as MyUniAlliance with SAP and Software Career Training (SCT) with IBM, have enabled its students to gain access to a wealth of resources, technologies, industry best practices and business solutions.

INTI was one of the first educational institutions in Malaysia to participate in MyUniAlliance, an initiative by Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) to upscale and hone the abilities of undergraduates in ICT. A special hosting service is available to INTI’s students to access SAP systems for hands-on learning under a free software license that will provide knowledge of integrated business processes and industry best practices.

“Graduates need to be knowledgeable about Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems which integrate internal and external management information across an entire organization. We are very pleased to be in partnership with SAP, the world’s largest ERP solutions provider, to create educational opportunities and promote innovation among our students,” said Professor Walter Wong, Vice-Chancellor of INTI International University.

Professional certification provides INTI students with additional practical skills and knowledge that will give them a competitive edge over their peers. IBM’s SCT programme offers students a combination of technical knowledge, IBM leading technology, industry best practices and personal professional development in one integrated, career-enhancing learning experience. Graduates will acquire a high quality and recognised Malaysian qualification from INTI as well as an international IBM professional certification which gives them an immediate edge in job interviews and employment.

INTI has also worked alongside Cisco Networking Academy for many years. By incorporating the CCNA and CCNA wireless syllabus into its Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Network & Mobile Computing programme, INTI ensures that students develop the skills to design and manage medium-sized networks. The partnership also presents a pathway to professional certification in CCNP and CCIE.

The INTI curriculum emphasises on all-rounded development of a student’s cognitive and practical skills. Close collaboration with the industry ensures that the curriculum developed is relevant to the market’s needs, and more importantly, focuses on soft skills such as project management, team work, and proposals among others, which are essential skills when entering the work force.

Students of INTI benefit not only from the institution’s over 25 years of experience and strong track-record, but also gain from the global synergy and resources that Laureate International Universities provides. Laureate – the world’s largest private education network – has a presence in 29 countries, with more than 60 accredited universities and 130 campuses, serving more than 675,000 students globally.

Universiti Malaysia Pahang student feared drowned

KUANTAN: A Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) student is missing and feared drowned after he was swept away by the current while bathing at the Bekelah waterfall near Gambang, today.

Ang Kent Chin, 21, had gone to the picnic area at 8am along with his fellow UMP students for a co-curriculum activity and reported missing at about 10.30am.

Pahang Fire and Rescue public relations officer Anuar Hassan said the department was informed of the incident shortly after and despatched a team to the scene.

They had to trek uphill for three hours to reach the spot, he said, adding that a search operation was now underway.  -- BERNAMA

Read more: Universiti Malaysia Pahang student feared drowned - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/universiti-malaysia-pahang-student-feared-drowned-1.79567##ixzz21mylRDJN