Engineering for the betterment of society at ESTCON2016

The world is in need of "humanised engineers" and it is reflected in this year's theme for the World Engineering, Science and Technology Congress (ESTCON2016): “Engineering, Science, Technology and Humanities: Convergence for a Sustainable Future”. Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and Chairman of ESTCON2016

In an interview with Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and Chairman of ESTCON2016, he mentions that the ESTCON event in 2016 will still uphold the high congress standard of the past years and with unique additions.

“Apart from ensuring a trans-disciplinary approach to research we are also providing a platform for members to participate in this year’s Innovation Pitching sessions where 40 shortlisted potential research vie for a chance to be commercialised," he says. The shortlisting process was done prior to the congress with PlaTCOM Ventures Sdn Bhd and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

First introduced in 2014, the Innovation Pitching sessions aim to fulfill the following primary objectives:

• to bridge UTP technology to the industry

• to create awareness of UTP's capability in technology development

• to commercialise UTP technology

In addition to UTP technologies, the opportunity is also open to inventors from other institutions in Malaysia.

ESTCON2014 saw the presentation of 26 pitches, nine of which were in discussion with government agencies such as Agensi Inovasi Malaysia and KPerak Implementation and Coordination Corporation among others.

PlaTCOM Ventures Sdn Bhd and MDEC are among the industry players invited to help discover and shortlist innovation and products with the “wow” factor this year, matching pitches with potential grants, fund providers and business expansion opportunities for the potential industry partners.

Another exciting feature of ESTCON2016 is the more dynamic approach to include seminars and forums for and with all relevant academics, researchers, scientists, engineers, interest groups and industry experts in the hopes to alleviate the "dryness" of regular academic talks. The nine conferences that run in parallel during the congress cover topics which are not only technical, but also leadership, humanities and the current social issues facing our global communities.

The exhibition will be open to public and professionals alike, where they will also get a chance to see newly developed products as well as visit each participating company’s booths to know more about their role in the industry.

"UTP aims to showcase what we have done and what we can do," he says about UTP's role in ESTCON2016.

ESTCON2016 will be held from August 15 to 17 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This event is organised through the efforts of UTP. For more information, visit ESTCON2016 website, or email the Secretariat at [email protected].