A Distinguished Professor Dr Biswajeet Pradhan joins as a Visiting Professor of Built Environment UiTM

Universiti Teknologi MARA is delighted to appoint Professor Dr Biswajeet Pradhan as its Visiting Professor of Built Environment. Professor Pradhan's visit as a Distinguished Visiting Professor is for 14 days (i.e. 9-23 January 2023) to the College of Built Environment Studies (CBE). On 11 January 2023, Professor Pradhan visits the Office of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UiTM, accompanied by Professor Dr Zulkiflee Abd Latif. He is an internationally recognized scientist in the field of Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and image processing, complex modeling/geo-computing, machine learning, and soft-computing applications, natural hazards and environmental modeling, and remote sensing of Earth observation. His visit aims at an engagement with the academic staff and students, particularly with the Built Environment Research Innovation Unit (BERI), CBE, in research and innovation activities, publication, and grants procurement.

I convince that the appointment will strengthen the links between the UiTM and the University of Technology, Sydney, and the Centre for Advanced Modelling and Geospatial Information Systems (CAMGIS), where Professor Pradhan is the Director of the Centre. UiTM can also benefit from his strong international research network with organizations and universities in Malaysia, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Turkey, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico, Egypt, Canada, Iran, and Indonesia. In fact, he is widely travelled abroad visiting more than 55 countries to present his research findings.

As a distinguished professor at the University of Technology, Sydney, Professor Pradhan is listed as the World’s Most Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics Report for five consecutive years: 2006-2020, and named one of the world’s most influential minds. The accolade has adding feather to his cap. Since 2006, he has received 55 awards in recognition of his excellence in teaching, service, and research (namely, World Class Professor by the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Indonesia in 2011-2020; Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship, Germany; “Ambassador Scientist” for Alexander Humboldt Foundation, Germany). He has published more than 550 highly cited articles (Total Citation: 30,883, H-index: 94, i10-index: 383), and more than 500 articles published in Science Citation Index (SCI/SCIE) technical journals. He has written eight books and thirteen book chapters, as well as completed 23 research projects amounting to US$ 14 Million.

Professor Pradhan is a member of international professional bodies such as the Committee of Space Research (COSPAR), Senior Member of IEEE, and United Nations Outer Space Research Program (UNOOSA), a board member of national programs in South-East Asia, a regular reviewer for international bodies such as, European Science Foundation, Dutch Research Council, Austrian Science Foundation, Research Council UK (RCUK), Swiss National Science Foundation, and Belgian Remote Sensing Program, as well as the Associate Editor and Editorial Member in 8 ISI journals. He delivered 35 keynote speeches as invited speakers at international conferences. He has edited and reviewed more than 2300 articles. He is also a supervisor to 49 PhD students, 10 MSc students (by research), and 30 MSc students (by course work).

UiTM feels honored with the appointment of Professor Pradhan. His presence will allow for more collaboration between the University and the Centre, with his expertise as an internationally recognized scientist in the field of GIS and, remote sensing, will open up more research and innovation connections with benefits for the academics, students, and researchers.