Professor Hassan Ugail, a mathematician and a computer scientist

The Maldives Science Society has successfully held a science presentation. The presentation which was based on the recent scientific advances in realistic computer simulations was delivered by the eminent Bradford-University-based mathematician and scientist Professor Hassan Ugail. The presentation was held at the MCSE Seminar Room on 30 may 2010 at 8:30 pm.

Professor Ugail’s presentation was a graphic mix of cutting edge science and advanced mathematical modeling _ agreeably diluted for the general public _ and was well-received by an audience of a broad bandwidth of interests, including students from many schools. At the end of the presentation, Professor Ugail entertained a host of questions from an inquisitive audience.

Professor Ugail’s principal interests are in the areas of geometric design, computer-based physical analysis and Simulation Based Design. He is a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EPSRC] and also a peer reviewer for the several related journals and conferences in his field of research.

Professor Ugail’s presentation was a graphic mix of cutting edge science and advanced mathematical modeling

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.’

Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler, Research Scientist

The Maldives Science Society, in association with Aqua Dreams Imaging group, has held a marine biology presentation at Hiriha School. The presentation was held at 8 pm on 14 March 2010 and was attended by students from Hiriya School as well as members from some local NGO’s.

The presentation was given by the UK research scientist Anne Marie Kitchen Wheeler and was largely a slide show on manta rays interspersed with video clips and explanatory commentaries. The presentation touched upon the anatomy, habitat, place in the ecosystem and behavioral aspects of mantas as well as some of the ways in which mantas are threatened and how they can be protected. One important highlight of the presentation was the explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks millions of years ago. She also said that it is highly likely that the Maldives has the largest manta ray population in the world.

Hiryaa School Students

At the end of the presentation Anne Marie took questions from the audience.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler has individually identified over 1800 mantas and estimate there may be as many as 25000 mantas throughout the Maldives. Her research on migration activity by mantas within the Maldives was presented to the American Elasmobranch Society Devil Ray Symposium in July 2008 which was the largest meeting of manta specialists ever held.

Manta ray is the new official common name for the species of manta we see in the Maldives. The bigger ones that occasionally pass through the Maldives are the Giant Mantas.

This presentation also features an explanation on how mantas evolved from sharks and how their anatomies compare.

Location: Hiriyaa School, Maafannu
Date: 14 March 2010
Time: 2000 hrs – 2130 hrs

See gallery for more photos

Thomas Goodey, Mathematician and scientist.

The Maldives Science Society has held a stargazing event especially aimed at school students titled ‘STARGAZE with Astronomers Without Borders’. The event which was held on 18 February 2010 at Lale International School in Hulhumale’ was attended by a significant number of students from 11 schools. The event was held in affiliation with Astronomers Without Borders and was co-hosted by Lale International School.

Thomas Goodey handing over a Galileoscope to a school student.

The event was marked by the Maldives Science Society’s donation of 11 Galileoscopes to 11 schools. The donations were handed out by the British mathematician and scientist Thomas Goodey who had been staying in the Maldives since a few days before the 2010 annular solar eclipse _ he was a key figure in the pendulum experiments conducted in the Maldives in connection with the eclipse. In the event Thomas Goodey also briefed the students on aspects of astronomy _ its origins and evolution _ and the use of telescopes. He also commented on our propitious location straddling the equator and how this contributes towards stargazing and other projects relating to astronomy. The Maldives Science Society’s screening of the science documentary ‘Eyes on the Sky‘ and the Maldives Open Source Society’s demonstration of the astronomy software ‘Stellarium‘ were also key highlights of the event.

The stargazing session which was cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions and which was originally planned to be a part of the event is now scheduled to take place in the new future. The Maldives Science Society says this will give students a chance to see celestial objects and phenomena up close.

Charles Robert Darwin, aged 45 in 1854

The Maldives Science Society commemorates Darwin Day as part of its mandate to commemorate events and dates hosted by and associated with the international scientific community.

Darwin Day is a recently instituted celebration intended to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Charles Robert Darwin on February 12, 1809. Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who contributed immensely to the science of biology and is widely regarded as one of the towering scientific minds in the history of human civilization.

Darwin was catapulted to world fame upon the publication of his book ‘On the Origin of Species’ which, even to this day, has remained one of the most well-known books on science. The book laid down his groundbreaking theory of evolution which, in its modified form, remains the unifying principle of all life sciences.

Darwin Day celebration is founded on the premise that Darwin’s genius and his contributions to science are an epitome of human’s scientific achievements and hence Darwin is an apt symbol for a global celebration of science.

The main objective of  STARGAZE, with Astronomers without borders is to create interest towards Astronomy amongst the youth and school children and to demonstrate how to use telescopes to view stars and other objects in space.

During the event, an astronomical researcher from the UK Thomas Goodey will make presentations to those present and students and visitors will also have a chance to view the stars and other objects with a computer controlled telescope.

The Maldives Open Source Society’s demonstration of how to use the open-source software ‘Stellarium‘ will also be a key highlight of the event. The event is to continue on the following day [19 February 2010] as well.

On both days the event will start at 7:00pm and end at 11:00pm.

Google maps location

"STARGAZE, with astronomers without borders" event location on google maps

UPDATE:

Programs will continue as we planned except the stargazing with the telescope. If the weather is good enough at the time of event we will try to arrange viewing at least some celestial objects in the sky.

Date: 18th Feb 2010
Time: 1900hrs to 2100hrs. (changed)

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

Despite the fact that a detailed announcement was made well in advance of the General Assembly, only one candidate came forward for each of the five positions, namely the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary General, the Treasurer and the Committee Member.

During the meeting, Mohamed Ijaz, in his capacity as one of the four Founders, reiterated and stressed the importance of preserving the character of the Maldives Science Society in terms of the parameters of science and emphasized the fact that it is science that defines the Maldives Science Society. Mohamed Ijaz along with Ajmal Shaheed also cited the need for the above character-preservation as the reason behind their decision to run for positions in the election.

The members and the positions they ran for are:

• Mohamed Ijaz [the President]
• Mohamed Jameel [the Vice-President]
• Ajmal Shaheed [the Secretary General]
• Mohamed Nazim [the Treasurer]
• Ibrahim Ismail [the Committee Member]

Near the end of the General Assembly, the candidates were all voted in unanimously by show of hands and the Assembly was brought to an apt close when all the newly elected thanked the members of the Society for all their support and assistance.