From June 3-5, 2024, the 12th International Senior Project Conference (ISPC) was hosted at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) in Bangkok, Thailand. ISPC is an annual meeting that provides senior year college students in engineering an opportunity to present papers and exchange ideas in an international forum. This esteemed event brought together 60 participants from 11 universities across the globe including National University of Singapore (NUS), University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (FH OÖ), National Cheng Chung University (CCU), Taiwan, National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT), Taiwan, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), Phillipines, Saint Louis University (SLU), Phillipines, and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Indonesia. Malaysia was represented by the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL).
Participants of the International Senior Project Conference (ISPC) 2024.
The conference embarked with the opening speech from the Vice President for Internationalization of KMUTT, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chawin Chantharasenawong followed by the keynote speech by Mr. Ben Ruktantichoke from Thailand’s Big Data Institute, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and the presentation of KMUTT by the Associate Dean for International Affairs of KMUTT, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asawin Meechai. During the opening ceremony, a slot was dedicated for each participating university to promote their institutions to the international audience. UTM was represented by Dr. Muhammad Thalhah Zainal from Mechanical Precision Engineering (MPE) department in MJIIT who delivered a presentation of UTM’s strengths, including academic programs, research initiatives, industrial collaborations, and the vibrant community that defines the institution. The presentation was met with enthusiasm, generating interest in potential collaborations and academic exchanges with other institutions.
Audience attentively listening to the welcoming speech during the opening ceremony.
Dr. Muhammad Thalhah Zainal from MJIIT delivering a speech promoting UTM and MJIIT.
A token of appreciation from KMUTT to UTM delegate representative.
Representing UTM with distinction were two talented final year students from MJIIT, Rajvinderjeet Singh Amarjeet Singh from the MPE department and Muhammad Fakhri Salahuddin Ahmad Fadhil from the Chemical and Environmental Engineering (ChEE) department. Both students showcased their exceptional projects entitled ‘Influence of Relative Humidity on the Tribological Properties of Hard Coatings‘ and ‘Optimization of Hydrogen Supply Chain Across Industrial Parks‘, respectively, highlighting the high caliber of research and innovation at UTM. During the parallel session, each presenter had 10 minutes to present their project outcomes followed by 5 minutes question and answer session with a panel of evaluators from the academia and the industry.
A highlight of the conference was Muhammad Fakhri Salahuddin Ahmad Fadhil receiving the Best Presentation award, proving himself as one of the best among all 45 presenters at the conference. This prestigious recognition reflects the dedication, hard work, and innovative spirit of UTM students and also serves as a proud moment for MJIIT. Fakhri’s achievement underscores the high standards of UTM’s educational programs, and the remarkable talent nurtured within UTM.
MJIIT final year student from Chemical and Environmental Engineering department, Muhammad Fakhri Salahuddin, presenting his final year project.
MJIIT final year student from Mechanical Precision Engineering department, Rajvinderjeet Singh, presenting his final year project.
Highlight of the event whereby MJIIT presenter, Muhammad Fakhri Salahuddin, was awarded the Best Presentation award.
A slot for cultural show was dedicated during the conference dinner that provided an excellent platform to promote Malaysian culture. A cultural video highlighting Malaysia’s rich heritage, diverse traditions, and unique cultural blend was presented along with a Malaysia cultural show by representatives from UniKL, captivating the audience and fostering a deeper appreciation for Malaysian culture among international participants.
The conference dinner also included a valuable networking session, allowing participants to connect, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. This session provided an excellent opportunity to build relationships with peers and professionals from various institutions worldwide, enhancing the overall experience of the conference.
Malaysian cultural show joined by international participants.
Thai cultural show from the hosting institution, KMUTT.
UTM representatives attending the conference dinner.
Participants attending networking session during the conference dinner.
The ISPC 2024 at KMUTT was an enriching and memorable experience for all attendees. From celebrating student achievements to promoting UTM, MJIIT, and Malaysian culture, the event offered numerous opportunities for learning, networking, and cultural exchange. The conference not only highlighted UTM and MJIIT’s commitment to academic excellence but also reinforced the importance of global collaboration and understanding.
Prepared by:
Dr. Muhammad Thalhah Zainal