KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 – The 11th International Conference on Advanced Technology and Applied Sciences (ICaTAS 2026), hosted by the Malaysia–Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), from 7 to 9 October 2026 at UTM Kuala Lumpur, brought together researchers from six countries to explore engineering innovation, sustainability and societal needs.

Jointly organised with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Egypt, the conference carried the theme “Advancing Engineering, Science and Technology for a Resilient and Sustainable Future”.

The conference featured 59 research presentations from Malaysia, Egypt, India, Oman, Qatar and the United Kingdom, comprising 29 online presentations across six virtual rooms and 30 physical presentations over two days. Three keynote presentations and two invited talks complemented the research sessions.

The opening and welcome speech was delivered by Conference Chair Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Pauziah Muhamad. The opening ceremony also featured MJIIT Dean Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain and the Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at AASTMT, Prof. Yaser Galal, who officiated the conference.

Now in its eleventh edition, ICaTAS demonstrated the continuity of this collaborative platform. The conference provided an opportunity to sustain institutional connections while bringing new research interests and perspectives into the exchange.

A key highlight was the connection between engineering expertise and practical environmental and societal needs. Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Helal of Ain Shams University, Egypt, presented “Challenges of Large-Scale Power Demand Distribution Projects in Egypt”, addressing engineering demands associated with large-scale electrical infrastructure.

Director of the Finance Division at the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), Ummi Kalthum Shuib, delivered “Empowering Sustainability: Rethinking Waste, Reshaping Malaysia”, highlighting waste management priorities and responsible resource use.

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Pauziah Muhamad also presented the application of the Azolla Recirculating Aquaculture System (ARAS) technology ecosystem to support the Special Education Integrated Programme community, linking sustainable agriculture with inclusive education, skills development, and community empowerment.

Invited presentations by Prof. Dr. Hesham El-Enshasy of UTM and Ir. Ts. Dr. Norhasnidawani Johari of MJIIT complemented the programme with expertise in bioprocess engineering and advanced materials.

The parallel sessions covered renewable energy, environmental sustainability, intelligent automation, robotics, smart agriculture, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, photonics, bioprocessing and intelligent manufacturing. Other topics included digital transformation, education, infrastructure and governance, reflecting the application of emerging technologies across different sectors.

The closing ceremony recognised research excellence through 11 awards: five Best Poster Awards from the ICaTAS Pre-Conference Showcase Competition, three Best Presenter Awards and three Best Paper Awards. The recognised work covered artificial intelligence, sustainable technologies, environmental protection, mathematical modelling and engineering design.

With contributions from six countries and a multidisciplinary programme, ICaTAS 2026 provided a platform for international knowledge exchange and research collaboration, reinforcing MJIIT’s role in connecting engineering and applied sciences with the pursuit of a resilient and sustainable future.

Reported by the ICatAS 2026 Publicity Team, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), UTM