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October 2003 |
A man of all seasons
Agro-ecological Mapping Using Satellite Data
In 1979, a report was produced on Agro-ecological Mapping Using Satellite Data. The report was so well received by higher authorities that they started asking why they were not informed about the potential of Remote Sensing Technology earlier. As a result of this and with the increasing awareness of remote sensing Dato' Nik and his team were able to get more support from the Government machinery. In 1985, the project to set up a National Center for Remote Sensing was approved and the question arose -- Under which ministry the Centre should function?
MARDI or MOSTE?
There were several opinions under which Ministry this Centre should function. Some were of the views that the Centre can continue to function under MARDI whereas some thought that the Department of Survey and Mapping may be a better choice. Dato' Nik was of the opinion that the Centre should be with the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (MOSTE) to avoid bias on its function as the emphasis was primarily on development and operationalisation of the technology. Consequently, the Centre was approved under MOSTE. Interestingly enough, the budget remained unapproved. A token amount of 10 RM was given.
Dato' Nik is certainly a man who is ever smiling and toiling. A man of books, he is not a stranger to the field of sports as he represented his school in many games including badminton, table tennis, cricket, hockey and now a keen golfer.
Dato' Nik is blessed with an understanding wife who herself is a professor and two children, a son and a daughter. He believes in accepting challenges as they come. He detests laziness and always advises his staff to go in for details. Obviously with all such qualities, the sky is not the limit for this resourceful man!
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Birth of MACRES
In 1988, MACRES was established and started working at an old bungalow that was procured at the same place where now MACRES is situated. Dato' Nik was appointed as the first Director. MARDI agreed to release him for this cause in national interest. The Secretary General of the Ministry was very supportive and helped him to start the Centre in the intial two formative years when Dato' Nik was practically alone.
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