UTAR brings Malaysian climate research
to global stage at AOGEO Workshop in Beijing

UTAR advanced its global research presence when its climate resilience research was featured at the 8th Asia-Oceania Group on Earth Observations (AOGEO) Workshop, held from 26 to 29 March 2026 in Beijing, China, with virtual participation via the VooV platform.

The research presentation was delivered virtually by Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (3CDRR) Chairperson Gs Dr Lim Ming Han, who also led the project. The team members also comprised Ir Prof Dr Huang Yuk Feng, Gs Dr Lee Yee Ling, and Assoc Prof Ts Dr Chin Ren Jie from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science and 3CDRR. Their work brought Malaysian research insights to a high-level international platform that convened leading agencies, institutions, and experts in remote sensing, Earth observation, and sustainable development.

The workshop was organised under the vision of Earth Intelligence for All, a strategic direction proposed by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) in its Post-2025 Strategy. This vision signals a significant transition in the global Earth observation ecosystem from data sharing towards intelligent, inclusive, and application-driven solutions. In this context, UTAR’s participation highlighted how satellite observations, machine learning, and long-term environmental analysis can support more sustainable urban development and climate resilience planning.

Dr Lim was invited to contribute by UTAR’s collaborator at the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The invitation underscored international confidence in the quality, relevance, and impact of UTAR’s research. More importantly, it created a valuable opportunity to position the University’s work within broader global conversations on city sustainability, environmental governance, and climate adaptation.

At the workshop, Dr Lim showcased the team’s research titled Thermal Intensification and Urban Land Cover Change in Johor Bahru City, Malaysia: Over Three Decades of Satellite Observations (1990–2025). The research presents a comprehensive analysis of land use and land cover change, land surface temperature, and intra-urban heat island dynamics over a 35-year period using multi-temporal Landsat satellite observations. Focusing on Johor Bahru, Malaysia’s second-largest metropolitan region, the research reveals how rapid urban expansion and declining forest cover have significantly intensified urban heat conditions over time.

The findings offer strong scientific evidence that urban growth, vegetation loss, and rising surface temperatures are closely linked, with important implications for urban planners, policymakers, and environmental managers seeking to build more resilient and liveable cities. By identifying heat hotspots and demonstrating how land transformation contributes to thermal amplification, the research supports the design of climate-responsive urban layouts, the expansion of green infrastructure, and the integration of satellite-based monitoring into city governance.

The practical relevance of the research extends beyond Johor Bahru. Its methodology can be replicated in other cities across the Asia-Oceania region, making it a scalable tool for wider urban climate assessments. This enhances the strategic value of the research, positioning UTAR as a contributor to scientific knowledge.

Dr Lim’s presentation formed part of Session 4, titled Regional Collaboration to Advance the GEO “Earth Intelligence for All” Strategy in the Context of City Sustainability. The session was especially significant because it connected key GEO initiatives such as GEO Human Planet and GEO EO4SDGs, while engaging representatives from GEO China, GEO Thailand, GEO Malaysia, the European Commission, Japan, and other regional stakeholders.

Reflecting on the significance of the opportunity, Dr Lim described the workshop as a strategic milestone that enabled the team to showcase its research on an international stage, demonstrate its real-world impact, and position its work within the global sustainability agenda. He also noted that the platform allowed UTAR to share its methodologies and findings with global experts, policymakers, and collaborators, while amplifying awareness of the urgent urban heat challenges facing Southeast Asia.

The workshop showcase also builds on the team’s recent publication in npj Urban Sustainability, a Nature Portfolio journal. Their paper, Thermal intensification and urban land cover change in Southeast Asian capitals: over three decades of satellite observations and trend analysis, further reinforces the scientific rigour and international relevance of the research developed at UTAR. This growing body of work reflects the University’s commitment to high-impact research that addresses pressing global issues while delivering meaningful benefits to society.

UTAR’s participation at the 8th AOGEO Workshop highlights the strength of its multidisciplinary research ecosystem and its readiness to contribute to international scientific networks. Through sustained institutional support, collaborative scholarship, and a strong focus on impactful research, UTAR continues to strengthen its standing as a university that advances innovation, sustainability, and future-ready solutions.