• High Accuracy Design Of Mobile Platform For Microwave Scatterometer System
  Halim Abd Aziz
  Malaysian Centre For Remote Sensing (MACRES), Malaysia
  
  
• Extending Geographic Information System From Two-Dimensional To Three-Dimensional Approaches
  Jing Lu LO , Mordechai HAKLAY
  Department of Geomatic Engineering, UK
  
  
• MacauMap: Tourism-Oriented Mobile GIS Application
  Robert P Biuk-Aghai
  University of Macau, China
  
  
• The Preliminary Design of a Nano Satellite Engineering Model for Remote Sensing Experiments
  Md. Azlin Md. Said , Syed Idris Syed Hassan, Nik Nasruddin Mahmood, Muhammad Shamsul Kamal Adnan,Mohd Faizal Allaudin, Mohd Helmi Othman, Kamal Azli Zakaria
  School of Aerospace Engineering,Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Digital Image Analysis Session
The session was chaired by Dr M Kusanagi, AIT Thailand and Dr Tay Seng Chuan CRISP, Singapore . A gist of the papers presented follows -

Topographic Mapping from Interferometric SAR Data is becoming an Accepted Mapping Technology
M Lorraine Tighe, Intermap Technologies, Canada

The flexibility of IFSAR system deployment (day or night operation), near weather-independent data collection, cloud penetrating capability, and quick turn-around time provides an alternative to the conventional photogrammetric technology. Intermap Technologies has been successfully generating 1:20,000-1:50,000 Topographic Maps from the STAR-3i IFSAR data for the past six years. The presentation investigated the performance of the recently modified Intermap IFSAR system for topographic mapping at larger scales. The presentation also provided statistical data to demonstrate the variability of features collected from the IFSAR data when compared to aerial photography. The outcome of this study is significant to the mapping environment that is dominated by traditional aerial photography methods. Results indicate that the higher resolution IFSAR data offered by the STAR-3i system, allow for more precise feature extraction resulting in the ability to map at scales as large as 1:10 000.

Evaluation of Conventional Digital Camera Scenes for Thematic Information Extraction
M Z MatJafri , H S Lim, K Abdullah
School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Classification of Satellite Images by Using Self-Organizing Map and Linear Support Vector Machine Decision Tree
Mehmet I Saglam , Bingül Yazgan, Okan K Ersoy
Istanbul Technical University, Informatics Institute, Turkey

DGPS@Precision Image Correction
Ittipol Pha-ngen , ThongChai Srimuang, Jedsada Kirdsrilek
Space Technology Centre, Thailand

Innovative genetic algorithm for hyperspectral image classification
Chaichoke Vaiphasa
Natural Resources Department, International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, The Netherlands

A number of other sessions followed. Key listing of the papers presented is provided -

Disaster Management Session

Session Coordinator
Jimat Bolhassan , Head, Spatial Data Analysis, MACRES, Malaysia

Data Integration for Flood Risk Analysis by Using GIS/RS as Tools -A case study of Muzaffarabad city-Kashmir, Pakistan
Falak Nawaz , Mohammad Shafique
National Centre of Excellence in Geology, Pakistan

The Use of Remote Sensing for Disaster Management in Malaysia
Jimat Bolhassan
Malaysian Centre For Remote Sensing (MACRES), Malaysia

Fire – ENSO Relations in the S.E. Asia. / A Remote Sensing Perspective
Athanassios Zoumas , Dr.Martin Wooster, Dr.George Perry
Department of Geography, King's College London, UK.

Remote Sensing Based Drought Information System for Palar and Thamiravaruni Basins Using GIS
G Ravikumar
Centre for Water Resources, Anna University, India

Integration of Remote Sensing And GIS Approach for Slope Stability Analysis
Azlikamil Napiah
Malaysian Centre For Remote Sensing (MACRES), Malaysia

PDC's Asia Pacific Natural Hazards and Vulnerabilities Atlas: Supporting Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment
Chris Chiesa
Pacific Disaster Center, USA

Photogrammetry and LIDAR Session

Chaired by - Dr S B Mansor, Head, Institute of Advanced Technology, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

Airborne LIDAR Surveys - an Economic Technology for Land Surveys
Rejean Simard , Pierre Belanger, Mohamed Razali Mohamed, Mohd Asbi Othman
Lasermap Asia Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia

Precision Lidar Data and True-Ortho Images
Uwe Lohr
TopoSys GmbH, Germany

LIDAR Mapping and Analysis Systems: A GIS-based Software Tool for LIDAR Data Processing
Raul Abdul Rauf Campos-Marquetti
EnerQuest Systems, LLC, USA

Airborne Laser Scanning-Cost effective spatial data
David Andrew Jonas , David Turton
AAMHatch, Australia

GPS and Coastal Zone Management Session

GPS session was chaired by - Dr Noordin Ahmad, GeoInfo Services, Malaysia
Castal Zone Management session was chaired by - Dr Somsak B, ITCZM, AIT, Thailand

Error Estimates for WGS84 and Everest (India-1956) Transformation
B K Srivastava , K Ramalingam
Airports Authority of India, India

Application of PRA integrated GIS: Tools to Develop Management Arrangement for the Devolution of Mangrove Management in the Municipality of Panay, Capiz, Philippines
Somsak Boromthanarat , Lerio A Agdalipe
Integrated Tropical Coastal Zone Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

Mapping Coral Reef Habitat in Indonesia Using Remote Sensing
Nitin Kumar Tripathi , Nyoman Radiarta
Space Technology Application and Research Program (STAR), Thailand

Fuzzy Algorithm For 3d Bathymetry Simulation From Topsar Polarised Data
Maged Marghany , Mohd. Lokman Hussien
University College Science and Technology Malaysia, Malaysia

Natural Resource Management Session

Session Coordinator
Dr Tran Vinh Phuoc, Director, Centre for IT and GIS – DITAGIS, Vietnam National University, HCMC, Vietnam

Potential of IKONOS Satellite Data for Tropical Forest Inventory: A Case Study in Northern Thailand.
S Kaojarern , Ho Dinh Duan,Hans-Jürgen Stibig
Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

A comparison of sub-pixel and maximum likelihood classification of LandSat ETM+ Images to detect illegal logging in the tropical rain forest of Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Yousif Ali Hussin , Santosh P Bhandari
Department of Natural Resources, The Netherlands

Object-oriented classifier for detection tropical deforestation using LandSat ETM+ in Berau, East Kalimant, Indonesia.
Cui Yijun , Yousif Ali Hussin
Department of Natural Resources, The Netherlands

Integration and analysis of airborne geophysics, remote sensing and geochemical data for exploration of porphyry copper deposits in the Central Iranian Volcanic Belt
H Ranjbar , M Honarmand, Z Moezifar
Department of Mining Engineering, Iran

The study of spatial distribution of forest changes in northern forests of Iran
A A Darvishsefat , M P Bavaghar, M Namiranian
RS & GIS laboratory, Faculty of Natural Resources, Iran

A Satellite Based Monitoring of Changes in Mangroves in Krabi, Thailand
Tipamat Upanoi , Nitin K Tripathi, Somsak Boromthanarat, Ole Petersen and Thongchai Charupat Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand

Application of Geoinformatics in Natural Resource Management at Micro Level
V Madhava Rao , R R Hermon
India

Valedictory Session

The Valedictory session was chaired by Dato’ Nik Nasruddin Mahmood, Director, MACRES, Malaysia. The other esteemed panelists were Prof Karl Harmsen, Director, CSSTEAP; Major General Gopal Rao, Additional Surveyor General of India; and Ir Rudolf W Matindas, Head of BAKOSURTANAL, National Coordinating Agency, Surveys and Mapping, Indonesia .

The session was started with a brief and informative presentation by Ravi Gupta, Director, CSDMS , where he talked about the basic statistics of Map Asia 2003 in comparision to Map Asia 2002. He not only pointed out the increase in response of various sectors of the conference, but also the positive messages inbuilt in those figures. The growing response and numbers denote two crucial things – firstly the demand for such discussion forums, and secondly the need for regional cooperation.

Dato’ Nik started with his introductory speech, where he took up a few important points that has emerged in the recent times in Malaysia and also through this conference. He said that along with the recent initiatives happening in Malaysia over the last few years, this has been a very important chance for most Malaysians to understand the manner in which geospatial science is taking shape in the region. He mentioned that many key sessions that were taken up in the conference gave very appropriate platforms to understand, relate to and set up possibilities of dialogue between these knowledge holders. Cooperation and sharing of knowledge is the need of the hour and it is critical to look within us in this time than outside, since the amount of experience available within Asia is mammoth and huge.

Prof Karl Harmsen was the next to deliver his brief message. He mentioned that it is indeed very promising to see that many organizations in Asia are actually working in a manner where they are taking up regional roles. This is very very important, he mentioned, since the actual use and worth of geospatial data happens only when one raises the level of benefits from the grassroots to the regional or international level. And that is possible when geospatial data users start thinking big and beyond the local.

Rudolf W Matindas then put in a few very significant lines. He mentioned that in Indonesia they had thought of the need for coordination amongst agencies in aspects of data sharing and data sharing, quite some time before. In fact The National Coordinating Agency, which he heads, primarily looks into this only. Coordination, and proper coordination is the key to a number of elements of success. He mentioned that such coordination is never and seldom taken up as a separate objective in itself. He emphasized that such platforms as Map Asia is key towards such collaborative models, very much needed for Asia as one whole unit.

Major General Gopal Rao spoke of the importance of experimenting with already developed models and processes and fine-tune them. Many instances and projects happen in the region, which get replicated due to similar umbrella of issues and local concerns. In such milieu, one can build upon best practices of the region and customize it as per the local needs and context. This shall not only develop better processes and models, it shall add to spatial data infrastructure of every region which can have the possibility of getting linked in later stages.

The floor had three respondents with three important inputs that the panel accepted and included in their discussion. Paul Reichert, FAO, UN, Rome mentioned that a very critical aspect to be kept in mind is the aspect of standardization of data when one moves from local to global. Mr Ventakram, Advisor, JLets Technologies pointed out that one needs to look into aspects of developing revenue models and price lines right from now, soon data and information shall be a matter of crucial business in the growing need of it in every sector. This is also required since setting economic guidelines generates standards, accountability and encouragement. Girish Kumar, SoI, added from the floor on aspects of training, policy restructuring and need for public private partnership as the requirement of the times to be looked into by both government and private sector.

All the members of the panel responded to the floor. In summation Dato’ Nik thanked all the persons present and brought out the gist.

• Capacity Building is the key issue towards developing a geospatial culture in every sphere
• A model and mechanism of cooperation is required that can be followed up and monitored for regional cooperation between the various Centers of Knowledge and Experience.
• Data needs to be thought of an asset and properly inventorised in categories. It should be then owned and monitored in every respect so that the quality of the data remains unaltered through out.
• Best practices need to be documented and stored for refernce at a common point of referral. This shall minimize the duplication of process and save time, energy and money
• The need for deep interaction between public and private entities where the potential of each is best tapped

1. Web based application for marine environmental mapping & visualization
   Chan Weng Tat, Li Rongrong, Durairaju Kumaran Raju
   Marine Information Technology Laboratory, Singapore
   
   
2. Topographic Mapping from Interferometric SAR Data is becoming an Accepted Mapping Technology
   M Lorraine Tighe
   Intermap Technologies, Canada
   
   
3. The Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing Techniques In Mapping of Children with Malnutrition - An Introduction
   Zabidi Azhar Mohd Hussin , Noorizan Abdul Majid, Md Azlin Md Said, Syahrul Hisyam Baharudin, Nik Nasruddin Mahmood
   School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia