Dangote Varsity develops new method of tree height measurement
A lecturer at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology(ADUSTECH),Wudil, Dr Mubarak Mahmoud, has invented a modern Tree Height Measurement, using a photographic method of measurement, leveraging on mathematical principles.
The Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the University, Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Kano.
Abdullahi said that a reception was organized in honour of Mahmoud by the university for achieving the feat.
He quoted him as saying that he leveraged on Mathematical principles, particularly Thales’ theorem, specifically the similarities of triangles.
“We developed virtual referencing equation that we try to measure height and relationship between instances on photogram and we try to compare with actual tree height. And we are able to achieve a near perfect of correlation of 0.998 out of 1,” he said.
According to him, the new method saves a lot of time when compared to conventional measurement, “because on the average, it takes only 1 minute 30 seconds for measurement using the Mahmoud method instead of 10 minutes using the conventional method.”
” The method was started in Wudil and developed in France. It started from here in the classrooms of ADUSTECH and in the open fields and now moved to the world,” the inventor said.
He said the feat was a testament that ADUSTECH Wudil had the potential to achieve everything possible across the world.
He appreciated all those who have contributed to the success of the project, including the university.
“We were well mentored in this University and I don’t have enough words to say thank you to the parents,the mentors and the leadership. This University is my source of inspiration,” Mahmoud said.
The Vice Chancellor of the university,Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai,described the project as a milestone, adding that the institution was proud of the project that was invented by its staff and former student.
Yakasai congratulated Mahmoud for the feat and stressed the need for collaborations between the University and Université Paris-Saclay.
He directed that a special team be establishment in the university in that regard.
In his remarks,Prof. Aminu Fagge who presented the celebrity said: “What Mubarak did was a complete improvement of the system to the extent that with a mobile phone one can calculate the height of a tree.”
Fagge, a leading Forestry Scientist from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife ADUSTECH, revealed that, the method is the first of it’s kind worldwide and has been published in the prestigious journal Smart Agricultural Technology and is poised to be incorporated into Forestry Education Curricula at select institutions worldwide.
“This milestone not only highlights Nigeria’s emerging role in forestry technology and artificial intelligence but also reinforces the country’s impact on global scientific advancements.
“Mahmud’s work is expected to transform forestry practices, offering a more efficient and accurate tool for researchers and environmentalists worldwide.
“To further enhance its accessibility and precision, an Android application leveraging artificial intelligence has been developed, making the method more user-friendly and accurate for researchers and forestry professionals as Mahmoud Method,” he added.
