Professor Hassan Ugail, PhD is a mathematician and a computer scientist at the School of Informatics; the University of Bradford. He is the first Maldivian to obtain a PhD in Mathematics. He is also the first Maldivian to receive professorship in the field of Science.

The Maldives Science Society has made plans to hold a science presentation on 30 May 2010. The presentation will be held at the MCSE Seminar Room at 8:30 pm.

The presentation, which is in fact a lecture, is centered around the recent scientific advances in the development of realistic computer based simulations that mimic natural phenomena.

The lecture is delivered by the mathematician and computer scientist Professor Hassan Ugail from the School of Informatics, University of Bradford.

Professor Ugail’s principal interests are in the areas of geometric design, computer-based physical analysis and design optimisation that falls under Simulation Based Design. He is a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EPSRC] peer review college and also a peer reviewer for the several related journals and conferences in his field of research. This is what Professor Ugail has to say on the forthcoming lecture:

‘This lecture will focus on the recent scientific advances in developing realistic computer-based simulations to mimic various phenomena that occur in the real world. A major issue associated in creating truly believable computer-based simulations is related to a phenomenon called the “Uncanny Valley” which relates to how humans observe and react to such simulations. Climbing out of the Uncanny Valley _ and towards perfect realism in a virtual world _ is the biggest challenge to overcome in such computer simulations [e.g. Computer graphics and animation]. In fact this is now considered to be one of the holy grails in computer science. The lecture will present how Visual Computing techniques will help to climb out of the Uncanny Valley, and will discuss some of the major ground-breaking scientific discoveries that would follow.’

hubblesite.org

Members and Supporters of MSS

Those who wish to support MSS activities will find this an opportunity to actively take part in MSS events.

We need volunteers to help us organize an event for the distribution of Galileoscopes to the schools and conduct a star gazing event for the schools and general public. The star gazing event will be presented by one of the eclipse researchers. He would setup an advanced, computer controlled telescope for attendees viewing of Moon, Mars, Saturn, Satellites and other Deep Sky Celestial objects.

Star event’s volunteers meeting
Date: 06 February 2010
Time: 2200hrs – 2300hrs
Location: Journey Meeting Hall (Alikilegefaanu Magu)

Kindly attend this evening to guide and help us coordinate this event. Please fill the form to register as a volunteer (including those who wish to help but cannot attend the meeting) We shall contact you.

• Registration form: http://www.sciencemaldives.org/star-gazing-event-volunteers-registration-form/
• Journey office location on google map

Location map of journey office

Sincerely,
Secretary General

Eclipse glass, image via seeviewo.org

The Maldives Science Society has a limited stock of special eclipse viewing glasses which we are putting up for sale to the public at a special price of MRF 35 MRF 80. If you wish to purchase this eclipse glasses please fill the eclipse glass order form. MSS will contact you sometime this week to handover the glasses. Please be informed that we have a limited stock of glasses and will be catering on a first come first basis.

eclipse glass order form: http://www.sciencemaldives.org/eclipse-glass-order-form/

Safe Eclipse Viewing: http://www.sciencemaldives.org/safe-eclipse-viewing/

Update: Hand held Eclipse glasses on the way. mail to eclipse@sciencemaldives.org

Those who wish to become a member can fill in the online application form located on “Become a member” page.

Maldives Science Society is a registered non-profit/non-government organization with a mission to foster enlightenment and enthusiasm through organized activities for science and its cognate disciplines, and set up an intellectual ambiance that would lay the foundations for scientific creativity, research and discovery in the Maldives.

The Maldives Science Society welcomes all those genuinely interested in science, and seeks the participation of individuals such as scientists, lecturers, teachers, students and all those actively involved in science academia and in disciplines that fall within the purview of science. We also welcome all the science-lovers out there who are stirred by the beauty of science.