Events Calendar
Kota Samarahan, 29th September 2019: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) together with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Malaysia Section and Sarawak Subsection, Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) successfully hosted the 12th UNIMAS STEM Engineering Conference (EnCon2019) from 28th until 29th August at Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching.
EnCon2019 was also supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, Sarawak (MESTR) and officiated by YB Puan Hajah Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Assistant Minister for Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring representing YAB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak, yesterday.
The theme of the conference “Revolutionized Innovative Engineering and Technology Towards Sustainable Development," is seen timely as solutions to enhance the knowledge in the field of science, technology and engineering through presentation and sharing of innovative ideas towards the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi in his welcoming speech said the conference provides a platform for professionals to build networking, critical discussion on new updates, sharing of innovative ideas towards the 4th Industrial Revolution specifically in the science, technology, and engineering for the benefit and betterment of the society.
“ The theme seen timely as solutions to enhance the knowledge in the field of science, technology and engineering through presentation and sharing of innovative ideas towards the 4th Industrial Revolution.This challenging task definitely requires the best of minds to be creative and innovative, and the two-day intellectual discourse during this event is expected to reveal several pertinent resolutions,” he said.
Vice Chancellor also said that UNIMAS is instrumental in bringing various industry players and organizations developing technologies and researches for the benefit of society.
He said, UNIMAS will continue to play a huge role in research and education for Sarawak and University has been contributing and will continue to contribute to the development of the State.
As examples, the Faculty of Engineering continually seeking ways in improving its strengths in R&D and set new performance indicator, standards and targets in securing researchgrants, funds and collaboration with industries to upgrade the research labs and
facilities in product design and innovation.
“ It is our utmost pride to be able to develop and assist many industries and communities to progress, especially in this fast-paced world,” he said adding that when research is done in the field of Engineering, it has many fold impact and implications not only for the industry but also for academia.
Meanwhile, EnCon19 keynote speeches were given by three prominent speakers, namely i) Associate Professor Dr Toshifumi Moriyama from Faculty of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Japan with the topic entitled “Monitoring and change detection of disasters in Japan by using Synthetic Aperture Radar”, ii) Professor Ts. Dr M. Iqbal Saripan, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) with the title on “How Important is Sustainable Design in Digital Imaging?” and STEM speaker Mr Raymond Maurice Stephan Bujang, Assistant Director, STEM Education Coordinator, Academic Management Sector, Sarawak State Education Department, Ministry of Education (MOE) on “STEM Education Policy from MOE Perspective: Current Outlook and Way Forward”.
There are more than 70 technical papers being presented in this 2-day conference which bring together research topics concerning the latest technologies. There are also two conference workshops on “Design of grid connected solar photovoltaic system” by Ir. Hazrul Mohamed Basri, and “Internet of Things (IoTs): Concept, Benefits and System Design for Local Ecosystem” by Associate Professor Dr Hushairi Zen. Parallel sessions of STEM workshops are also held for teachers from various schools in Sarawak.
The conference also features the International Science and Engineering Expo (i-STEEx) to showcase their innovative product designs by high school students and institutions of higher learning and the industries. The expo focuses to encourage youths to demonstrate their creativity and problem solving skills using recycle materials and to create awareness among the youths on waste recycling. This year, i-STEEx showcases 41 innovations by 120 students from secondary schools, totaling 186 innovations since 2016.
There is also a fun learning activity, Bridge-To-Win, which challenges primary and secondary school students to build bridge using recycled paper. On the final day of the conference, there will be a technical visit at Kuching-Serian Road Interchange on Pan Borneo Highway progress handled by Ir. Dahlim Mungkil, Project Manager at Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn.Bhd.
During the ceremony, the document handover from the Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU), Ministry of Utilities Sarawak to appoint UNIMAS as a Competency Training and Examination centre was held. This will allow UNIMAS to offer competency programmes in Wireman Second Grade (Single Phase), Wireman First Grade (Three Phase) and Chargeman L4 (Off-Grid Low-Voltage PV System) to UNIMAS undergraduate Engineering students and the public.
A total of six memorandums of agreement (MoA) and memorandums of understanding (MoU) were also exchanged between the university’s Faculty of Engineering and several industry players during the opening ceremony of the conference. The three MOAs are with Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. and Edgenta Mediserve Sdn. Bhd. and three MOU with Amcan Integrated Industries Sdn. Bhd., Hoi Fu Group (M) Sdn. Bhd. and Gabungan Binaan Jurutenaga Sdn. Bhd. Through these collaborations, the Faculty of Engineering, UNIMAS hopes to establish more industrial engagements in the future.
