JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 25 — The 2nd Composite Sciences and Technology International Conference (COMSAT 2025) concluded a highly successful two-day virtual run on 24 and 25 September, setting a new benchmark for global collaboration in materials science. The event, hosted by the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials (CACM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), was formally officiated by Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, marking the start of a knowledge exchange driven by 21 co-organising institutions worldwide.
The strength of COMSAT 2025 was its deeply collaborative framework, with 21 co-organisers spanning universities and research institutes across Asia, Europe, North America, and East Asia. These institutions played a critical role in shaping conference tracks, reviewing submissions, and facilitating speaker mobilisation, underscoring COMSAT’s legitimacy as a premier international platform in composite materials research.
In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of COMSAT 2025, Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ilyas Rushdan, thanked the co-organisers for their “tremendous support and shared vision,” noting that the 21 institutions were “pivotal in elevating the conference’s scope”.
Sustainability and Digitalisation initiatives
The COMSAT 2025 was framed by the dual themes of “Sustainable and Digitalized Advanced Composite Solutions to Global Challenges.” The programme featured a distinguished line-up of keynote and invited speakers who shared cutting-edge research and industry advancements shaping the future of composites.
Highlights included leading scholars from the United States presenting insights on advanced composite manufacturing and digital twin integration, while experts from Japan showcased developments in high-performance materials and robotics. Additional keynote contributions from Europe and Southeast Asia further enriched the dialogue, ensuring a well-rounded global perspective on the transformative role of composites in addressing worldwide challenges.
The virtual format enabled broad accessibility across time zones, facilitating high engagement during questions and answers (Q&A) and poster sessions. Sessions covered critical areas such as eco-friendly composites, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Internet of Things (IoT) integration, digital twins, and lifecycle assessment.
Awards and Gifts
The COMSAT 2025 celebrated outstanding contributions with the presentation of several prestigious awards. The Best Manuscript Award was given to two exceptional papers. The 1st place Best Manuscript Award, accompanied by RM250, was secured by the paper titled “ID31: Empty Fruit Bunch Fibre Characterization for the Development of Non-Woven Felt Composites”. The authors, Aisyah Humaira Alias, Ibrahim Z, and Wahab N.A., are affiliated with the Biomass Technology Unit, Engineering and Processing Division, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), in Selangor, Malaysia.
The 2nd place Best Manuscript Award, with a prize of RM200, was awarded for the paper “ID68: Effect of Processing Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites”. The authors, OPA Fajar Muslim, Mat Uzir Wahit, Ahmad Ilyas, Rushdan Muhammad Rafi Saptohadi, Rifky Ismail, and Joddy Arya Laksmono, are from the Faculty of Chemical & Energy Engineering (FKT), UTM in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Additionally, the conference presented the CACM Award, which came with a prize of RM400. This award went to the paper “ID11: Rainwater Absorption Characteristics and Material Characterisation of Single-Ply Carbon/Epoxy Composite,” authored by Nakisha Da Gloria Machava, King Jye Wong*, Ai Bao Chai, Kim Yeow Tshai, and Khong Wui Gan. Their affiliation is with the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Looking ahead, organisers aim to maintain this momentum, potentially exploring hybrid (in-person + virtual) formats in 2027 editions to deepen networking opportunities while retaining global accessibility.
