KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 – The maritime and geospatial world turned its eyes to Kuala Lumpur today as the 49^th FIG/IHO/ICA International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC49) Meeting was officially officiated by the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim.

Held at the prestigious Berjaya Times Square Hotel, this annual gathering brings together world-renowned experts from the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the International Cartographic Association (ICA).

As a key recurring event, the IBSC annual meeting serves as the global forum where the international board reviews and recognises Hydrographic Surveying and Nautical Cartography programmes from around the world, ensuring they meet the stringent S-5 and S-8 international standards.

Also joining with the Vice-Chancellor at this prestigious welcoming dinner were several key figures, including the Chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Professor Emeritus Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, Chair of IBSC, Sobri Syawie, and Director-General of the National Hydrographic Centre (NHC), Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), Rear Admiral Dr. Najhan Md Said.

Also in attendance were Dean of the College of Geodesy and Geomatics at Shandong University of Science and Technology (SDUST), Prof. Dr. Tu Rui, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), UTM, Prof. Sr Dr. Kherun Nita Ali, Chairman of the Steering Committee for UTM Hydrography programs, Assoc. Prof. Sr Dr. Ami Hassan Md Din, and Professor of Hydrography, UTM, Prof. LSr Dr. Mohd Razali Mahmud.

For UTM, hosting the IBSC49 is a significant milestone, underscoring the university’s decades-long leadership and unwavering commitment to international hydrographic surveying and cartographic education.

In a significant addition to the opening ceremony, the event also witnessed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange between UTM and SDUST. Represented by Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim and Prof. Dr. Tu Rui, this partnership marks a new chapter in academic synergy. The MoU aims to foster joint research and exchange initiatives in hydrographic surveying and geomatics, further enriching the educational framework for students and researchers from both nations.

The ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation from both institutions. SDUST was represented by a distinguished group of scholars and officials, including Prof. Dr. Li Shujun, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cui Xiaodong, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bu Xianhai, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li Zeyu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhao Xiangwei and Niu Yunfeng from SDUST’s International Office.

This dual-purpose event does more than just solidify UTM’s standing as a guardian of international professional standards; it serves as a powerful testament to the university’s proactive pursuit of global academic excellence. By bridging the gap between rigorous international regulation and ground-breaking institutional partnership, UTM is effectively anchoring Malaysia at the very heart of the geospatial technology frontier.

Through these high-level collaborations, the university is not only shaping the future of hydrographic surveying and nautical cartography but is also ensuring that the next generation of maritime professionals is equipped to navigate an increasingly complex and technology-driven global landscape.

Co-authors: Prof. Dr. Zulkepli Majid and Sr Dr. Norhadija Darwin