KUCHING: The 16th International UNIMAS Engineering Conference (EnCon 2026) has been launched today (Apr 28), bringing together more than 500 academics, industry leaders and international delegates.
Organised by the Faculty of Engineering at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), the three-day conference features over 150 technical presentations from countries including Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and South Korea.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated the opening of the conference, held at the Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here.
Adding to the conference’s significance, the event featured insights from six distinguished keynote speakers, including Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi; Adjunct Professor and Group Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Energy Datuk Sharbini Suhaili; Professor Emeritus Dr Simon Beecham from the University of Adelaide, Australia; Professor Emeritus Dr Kypros Pilakoutas from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom; Professor Ir Dr Siti Noor Linda Taib, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of UNIMAS; and Ir Dr Voo Yen Lei, Co-Founder and Director of DURA Technology (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd.
During the opening ceremony, eleven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between UNIMAS and various international universities, as well as national and international organisations, including TNB Labs Sdn Bhd, Pukyong National University (Korea), University of Kratie (Cambodia), Pipeline Integrity Consulting Engineers Pte Ltd (Singapore), Spring Semiconductor Sdn Bhd, Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM), ZHA Environmental Sdn Bhd, Malaysian National Committee on Large Dams (MYCOLD), DURA Technology (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, EPR (Kuching) Sdn Bhd and the Sarawak Sewerage Services Department.
The event also witnessed the conferment of the title of Adjunct Professor on CIDB Malaysia chairman Datuk Yusuf Abd Wahab in recognition of his significant contributions to the Malaysian construction industry and engineering excellence.
Also present was UNIMAS Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie.
Since its inception in 2007, EnCon has served as a key platform for fostering networking and collaboration between academia and industry. It provides a dynamic avenue for researchers, engineers and postgraduate students to present cutting-edge findings, share expertise and develop collaborative solutions to address pressing challenges in engineering, technology and society.
The conference is jointly hosted with the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sarawak Branch, CIDB Malaysia (Sarawak), i-CATS University College, Universitas Hasanuddin (Indonesia) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
