KUCHING: The 11th International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures 2023 (ICASS 2023) is instrumental to nurturing globally competitive engineers for Sarawak.
In stating this Kuching South City Council Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, said the inaugural conference held in Malaysia aligns with the Sarawak government’s vision to propel the state into a future defined by data and innovation by 2030.
“Through the core of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), there are seven enablers and strategic cores for Sarawak to accelerate and achieve the objective of becoming a developed state.
“One of the objectives closely related to engineers is the development of basic infrastructure. Basic infrastructure will provide access to social and economic hubs to meet short-term needs thus providing a foundation for future growth,” he said.
He said this on behalf of Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the opening of ICASS 2023 here today (Dec 6).
Wee added that the conference, scheduled until Dec 7, holds the potential to cultivate highly skilled local engineers in Malaysia and Sarawak, thus contributing to the sustainable development for both the country and the state.
“The ICASS series, which commenced in 1996 in Hong Kong and subsequently toured the globe with editions in China, Singapore, and Portugal over the past 23 years, stands as a platform for engineers in Malaysia and Sarawak to gain insights from the world’s experts,” he said.
Jointly organised by Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, ICASS 2023 serves as a forum for researchers and professionals to engage in discussions and disseminate the latest advancements in the analysis, behaviour, design, and construction of steel, aluminium, and composite steel-concrete structures.
Also present at the opening were Hong Kong Polytechnic University chairman Professor Siu Lai Chan; Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Lau Hieng Ho.
