The flagship SALT Connect-Us Conference 2019 organized at UTMKL

Mohamad Syazli Fathi

UTMKL – In October 2019, Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics (RFTI), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia had successfully hosted the Swiss-ASEAN Learning and Teaching (SALT) Association flagship Conference in Kuala Lumpur. The second Connect-Us Conference (CuC 2019) was held at the Business and Advanced Technology Centre (BATC) Building in UTM Kuala Lumpur campus from 9 – 10 October 2019. The conference began with a welcoming address by the host, Dean of Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics (RFTI), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Astuty Amrin, and Connect-Us Conference 2019 Chairman, Dr Mohamad Syazli Fathi, and followed by a welcome note by Prof. Dr. Rolf Schaeren from Swiss-ASEAN Learning and Teaching (SALT) Association. This year’s conference themes focus on the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in various dimensions. 22 researchers presented their research and findings on digital transformation in education, communications, innovation, business applications as well as its effects on economy and society.

Connect-Uc Conference 2019 Participants

The first keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Rolf Dornberger from University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) presented the history of robots and offered new insights into the robotics industry like the use of artificial intelligence. This was followed by the second keynote speech by Prof. Dr Shamsul Sahibuddin from UTM who gave exciting and informative facts about the opportunities and challenges in digital transformation.

Dean of Razak Faculty giving token of appreciation to Prof Dr Rolf Dornberger, Keynote Speaker 1

Prof. Dr Shamsul Sahibuddin delivering Keynote Speech 2

CuC 2019 also featured a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sathiabama T. Thirugnana from Razak Faculty on the topic “Technology and Innovation – Accelerating Development Sophistication of Business Model (Value Creation)”. The panelists consisted of talented and experienced professionals who shared their experience in regard to the business model of their respective company. The panelist consisted of:

Mr. Ammar Roslizar, CEO ARBA Travel

Mr. Mohd Wardi Bin Hilmi, Founder of Indeepreneur

Ir. Dr. Ahmad Nizar, Vice President The eCEOs Sdn Bhd

Mr. Manfred Rist, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Ir. Fauzan Baharudin, Petronas Group

CuC 2019 Panelists

The day closed with an award ceremony honouring researchers in the categories of best paper, best presenter and best student paper of each paper session. We would like to thank all the participants who participated, and congratulations to all the recipients of the award announced during the conference dinner.

UTM Pro-Vice Chancellor giving token of appreciation to the SALT Chairman

UTM Pro-Vice Chancellor giving token of appreciation to Prof Dr Beat, SALT Connect-Us Conference Head

The second day of the conference continued with the visit to Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex where participants learnt about artisanry and the Malaysian government’s endeavour to preserve the quality and knowledge of Malaysian crafts such as batik. The delegation visited the Craft Museum displaying the traditional clothes and garments and was then introduced into the art of batik colouring by Mr Lazim Zakaria. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to colour a painting with batik by themselves. The workshop was followed by the visit to the PETRONAS Digital Collaboration Centre (PDCC) located at Petronas Twin Towers. In PDCC the participants were presented with the visualisation and collaboration facility for Petronas digital transformation and that concluded the conference.

Visit to KL Craft Complex

Visit to Petronas Digital Collaboration Centre

Many thanks to Connect-Us Conference 2019 committee from Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics (RFTI) for hosting the Connect-Us Conference 2019, the UTM Office of Corporate Affairs and all who supported the programs. For more information about the conference, read more at http://razak.utm.my/cuc2019/.