On 26 May 2025, I had the pleasure of welcoming Associate Professor Hazmi Rusli as a guest lecturer in my Master’s course at the Geomatics Engineering Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada. A/P Hazmi delivered a lecture on the complex and often sensitive topic of Indonesia–Malaysia border issues. Though the session was held online, the impact was as strong as if it were in person. I invited him not only as a fellow academic but also as an old friend—I’ve known Hazmi since 2009, back when we were both graduate students at the University of Wollongong. For me, this lecture was more than an academic event; it was a beautiful example of how genuine friendship can evolve into meaningful professional collaboration.

The main audience of this session was my class on Border Management and Maritime Boundary Delimitation, a core course in the Master’s program. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored theories and frameworks related to border governance. But theory needs grounding, and that’s precisely what A/P Hazmi provided—a real-world view from the Malaysian side of the border. His insights were not only timely but deeply relevant, offering students a richer, more nuanced understanding of what cross-border issues look like in practice.

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Educational institutions, like universities, have strong interest for industries to flourish. Without strong industries, education will lose its purpose. How can one convince the society that someone should study in a particular major if relevant industries do not even well developed? Even worse, one will not be interested in studying a particular major if there is no relevant industries. Hence, educational institutions should do their best to support the development of industries.

That was the reason for me to share my geospatial knowledge to employees of PT. Madhava Persada in Yogyakarta. I understand, while the company focuses its services on geospatial field, some employees do not have adequate geospatial background. It is acceptable since each employee has their own role, which might not be directly related to geospatial matters.

I gave a one-hour lecture and the employees paid attention really well. I realize one thing that we, academicians, really need to share our knowledge. Something simple for academician might be that simple for practitioners. It can be an enlightenment. Similarly, academicians also need to listen from practitioners to enrich their understanding, especially to put their knowledge in practical contexts.

In short, academicians and practitioners need to collaborate. Educational institutions need to be hand in hand with industries to support each other.

My childhood was far away from anything like beauty pageant competition. Even if it existed, it had nothing to do with my life. Beauty pageant competition was only something I heard about or accidentally watched on TV. Nothing more than that.

Hence, it came to me as a big surprise when I received an invitation as one of the judges in the Sleman Regency Beauty Pageant Competition. The competition is also known as Dimas Diajeng Sleman. It is something like Mr and Ms Sleman, the regency where I am currently residing.

I hesitated at first but the committee then managed to convince me that my participation is something positive and acceptable. I was asked to assess the level o understanding and familiarity of the candidates on international insight. I guess it was something that I could take part. Hence, I accepted the request.

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Inside one of Sarawak’s most iconic buildings—the local Parliament in Borneo—I had the privilege of delivering a three-hour lecture on the geospatial and legal dimensions of maritime boundary delimitation. The audience comprised around 50 engaged participants from a diverse range of institutions: the Attorney General’s Chambers of Sarawak, Members of Parliament, the Ministry of Transportation, and other agencies. Their enthusiasm and sharp questions made the session especially rewarding.

The invitation came from Dr. Jady Hassim and Ms Vanessa Jawa, whom I first met in February this year at the National University of Singapore (NUS), when I gave a lecture on baselines and maritime boundaries. Apparently, they found that session valuable enough to bring the same discussions to a broader audience in Kuching. I was honoured.

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