The Tenth Asian Conference on Remote Sensing
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 23-29 November, 1989

The Honourable Dato Amar Stephen K.T. Yong, Minister of Science, Techonology and the Environment, accompanied by his Deputy at the Opening of the 10th ACRS.

Introduction

The 10th ACRS was held at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 23 to 29 November 1989. It was organized jointly by the Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS) and the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES) and supported by UNDP/ESCAP-RRSP, Japan Association of Remote Sensing (JARS), SPOTImage, MacDonald Dettwiler Technologies Co., Hunting Technical Services Limited, Mitsubishi Research Institute Inc., MPA Communications and SCOT CONSEIL.

Objectives

To discuss Asian problems in remote sensing; to exchange academic, applica-tion and technical information; and to promote regional co-operation amongst member countries.

A plenary technical session at the 10th ACRS. Prof. Sunji Murai leading the discussion, Mr. Nik Nasruddin Mahmmod, Chairman of the Organizing Committee on the extreme left.

Opening Session

The opening of this one-week conference was officiated by the Honourable Datuk Amar Stephen K.T. Yong, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment, Malaysia. The session was attended by over 450 guests of honour comprising heads of foreign embassies/high commissions, heads of governmental agencies, other senior officials, and participants of the ACRS. The session was also addressed by Professor Shunji Murai, General Secretary of AARS, and Mr. Mohd. Noordin Hassan, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, who are also the Chairman of ACRS Organizing Committee.

Participation

The conference was attended by 441 participants comprising 194 from 20 Asian and non-Asian countries/regions/ organisations, and 247 local professionals and scientists. The countries and regions present were Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Belgium, China, Canada, China Taipei, France, F.R. Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Nepal, New Zealand, USA, USSR, and Vietnam.

The conference also attracted 16 commercial exhibitors who were taking the opportunity to introduce and promote their products and services with regards to remote sensing and related technologies.

Business Arrangement

The conference was conducted in four main sessions: technical presentation of both oral and poster sessions, plenary, technical presentation by the exhibitors, and commercial exhibitions.

Technical Presentations and Deliberations

A total of 72 technical papers and 15 poster papers were presented in 13 different sessions of the conference. The papers covered research and development works pertaining to applications of remote sensing and related technologies in agriculture/soil, water resources, disaster management, forestry, mapping, oceanography and marine resources, landuse, geology, environment and digital image processing. In addition, a session on education and training in remote sensing was also included.

Other Activities

Annual General Conference of AARS
Following its tradition, two sessions of General Conference of the AARS were held during the 10th ACRS. The conference sessions were chaired by Mr. Nik Nasruddin Mahmood, Director of MACRES.

Parallel Meeting

A meeting of the Working Group on the Commercialization of Remote Sensing Activities was organised concurrently by UN-ESCAP. The meeting was attended by delegates of member countries: Australia, Bangladesh, China, Canada, France, Japan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, European Space Agency and USA.

Technical Visits And Social Activities:

Technical visits to MACRES, the Department of Surveying and Mapping, and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia were organised to highlight the current development and major remote sensing and related technological activities being undertaken for sustainable development in Malaysia. A social visit to the newly completed Agricultural Park in Shah Alam was also conducted.

Welcome Dinner

A welcome dinner with cultural show was organised in honour of the 10th ACRS delegates.

A NOTE OF APPRECIATION TO PROFESSOR SHUNJI MURAI FROM PROMINENT PARTICIPANTS OF THE TENTH ACRS REPRESENTING SOME MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF AARS   Dear Professor Shunji Murai,   We take this opportunity to express our great appreciation for your continuous service to the Asian Association on Remote Sensing. Your contribution has made our Association grow and expand to such extent that ACRS is one of the most-participated remote sensing conferences in the world to-day. Moreover, ACRS has stimulated great advance among Asian countries in remote sensing applications. Once again thank you very much.

Contributors

Mr. Darus Ahmed