ESTCON 2022 sheds light on future of energy, tech

KUCHING: The World Engineering, Science and Technology Congress (ESTCON) 2022 concluded with meaningful insights into new energy, the development of cities and the role of technology in the years to come.

With a focus on the future of energy and energy transition, the congress provided a platform for Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) faculty members and students to undertake complex research problems and address current technology and engineering trends.

In his speech wrapping up the two-day event, UTP Vice Chancellor and ESTCON Chairman Professor Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalid said this paved the way for the university to take on more “cutting-edge research” for its industry partners.

He added that the insights shared among the participants were especially timely as economies begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As Malaysia progresses to become a technological and innovation centre for the energy, oil and gas industry, there’s a need to continuously build meaningful partnerships,” he said.

The congress took place on December 1 and 2 at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak and attracted nearly 850 delegates from 30 countries.

It was co-organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), FPT University Vietnam, Multimedia University (MMU) and more than 20 co-organisers at the conference level.

It was also deemed one of the most anticipated events of UTP’s silver jubilee celebrations.

ESTCON2022 shone the spotlight on the latest trends and innovations in energy, the development of cities and the role of technology in future living.

Keynote speaker and Chief Executive of the Energy Institute, Dr Nick Wayth, noted that the diverse make-up of delegates were focused on the “big challenges ahead of humanity”.

“Malaysia has the opportunity to be at the forefront of the energy transition and UTP has a really critical role in building the future energy workforce and the diverse people that will make these things happen,” said Wayth, who is also a member of UTP’s International Advisory Council.

Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, who officiated the opening of ESTCON2022, also lauded the congress’ commitment towards sustainability and managing natural resources in the face of climate change.

UTP had signed three memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Institut Teknologi Sumatera in Indonesia, the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and the Centre of Applied Data Science Malaysia at the sidelines of ESTCON2022.