18 May 2018 (Friday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has conducted a MyWood-ID Technology Talk Programme last Tuesday at Villa Fragrans to provide a clearer explanation of the use of the application.

Officiated by FRIM Director General (DG) Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod, the programme was attended by 36 representatives from 17 government agencies involved in timber identification skills in their tasks such as the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department as well as Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM) and other state forestry departments.

 

From left: Abd Latif delivering his speech and Gan during his presentation on the technology.

 

Some of the attendees at the Villa Frangrans.

Abd Latif said, “It is hoped that MyWood-ID Application technology will help the authorities, the timber industry and the public in identifying the wood quickly and accurately; as well as help strenghten the economy and position Malaysia as one of the countries which have successfully produced the latest technology in the timber sector.”

Forest Products Division Director Dr Gan Kee Seng presented the background, functions and advantages of this application at the briefing session. He was joined by Wood Anatomy Laboratory Head Dr Nordahlia Abdullah Siam and Information Technology Branch Officer Omarali Abdul Rahim during the demonstration session and Q&A session.

MyWood-ID application which uses iPhone and special lenses, has been developed by Nordahlia and Omarali in collaboration with Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR). Also present, Deputy DG (Research) Dr Ismail Harun, Deputy DG (Operations) Dr Khali Aziz Hamzah and Technical Services Director Norhayati Nordin, also the Innovation and Commercialisation Director.

 

Participants and organisers posing for a group photograph with Abd Latif (seated, middle).

MyWood-ID tech talk

Omarali (far left) showing the application’s function at the demonstration session.

 

From left: Omarali, Gan and Nordahlia during the Q&A session.