GEOCHITRA 2024: Advancing Disaster Resilience in Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering

Ts. Dr. Azman Mohamed

On September 4th and 5th, 2024, the prestigious GEOCHITRA 2024 conference was held at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. This event combined two internationally recognized conferences: the 13th International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering in Tropical Regions (GEOTROPIKA) and the 3rd International Conference on Highway and Transportation Engineering (ICHITRA). Organized by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Department of Geotechnical & Transportation Engineering, GEOCHITRA 2024 gathered global experts to address critical advancements in disaster resilience within geotechnical and transportation engineering.

With the theme “Disaster Resiliency for Future Development in Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering,” the conference emphasized the need for sustainable, disaster-resilient infrastructure in tropical regions prone to natural disasters. Participants included leading academics, researchers, engineers, students, and industry professionals who engaged in discussions on innovative solutions for building infrastructure that can withstand environmental challenges.

The event was officially opened by YB Datuk Seri Haji Ahmad Haji Maslan, Deputy Minister of Works, who underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure in national development. Representing UTM were YBrs. Prof. Ts. Dr. Edy Tonnizam Mohamad, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), and YBrs. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suhaimi Abu Bakar @ Mohd Ramli, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering. Under the leadership of Ts. Dr. Mohd Nur Asmawisham Alel (Chairman of GEOTROPIKA) and Ts. Dr. Azman Mohamed (Chairman of ICHITRA), the event was a resounding success.

The organizing committee extended its heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Works for their support and Shell MDS (M) Sdn. Bhd. for their generous sponsorship, which was instrumental in the event’s success. Platinum sponsors included AHN Vertec Sdn. Bhd., Geonamics (M) Sdn. Bhd., and Smart Sensing Technology Sdn. Bhd., while the Gold Sponsors were Engineering Laboratory Electronics (M) Sdn. Bhd., G-Cast Concrete Sdn. Bhd., UMLAB Laboratory & Services Sdn. Bhd., Geo Advance Technology (GAT) Group, and UTMSPACE. Special recognition was also given to Tourism Malaysia for their continued backing.

GEOCHITRA 2024 featured seven keynote speakers who shared vital insights into the industry’s latest developments and challenges. Additionally, eight invited speakers delivered talks that sparked engaging discussions on strategies for improving infrastructure resilience. The conference also welcomed 26 companies and over 200 attendees from 10 countries, providing a dynamic platform for networking and knowledge exchange. A total of 45 presenters showcased their cutting-edge research, highlighting innovations in the field.

A highlight of the event was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between UTM and Safwa Global Venture (M) Sdn. Bhd., and between UTM and UMLAB Laboratory & Services Sdn. Bhd., symbolizing new collaborations in engineering services.

During the press conference, YB Datuk Seri Haji Ahmad Haji Maslan highlighted the significance of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry. Effective from August 1, 2024, all new government projects will be required to use BIM, with private sector projects also encouraged to adopt this technology. He stressed that BIM’s application extends beyond building construction to include sewage systems and road projects, enhancing planning and execution in critical infrastructure development. He also called for UTM’s active involvement in developing local BIM solutions, fostering innovation and building national capacity in this essential area of construction technology.

GEOCHITRA 2024 set a new benchmark for future conferences, bringing together industry leaders, academics, and professionals to discuss the latest innovations in geotechnical and transportation engineering. By focusing on disaster resilience, the event paved the way for future advancements in sustainable infrastructure development, reinforcing its position as a critical platform for addressing challenges in tropical regions and beyond.

Special appreciation was extended to the Department of Geotechnics & Transportation, particularly the Geotechnical Research Group (GRG), the Pavement and Transportation Research Group (PTRG), and the Centre of Tropical Geoengineering (GEOTROPIK). The efforts of 14 postgraduate students and the support of UTM’s Office of Strategy and Corporate Affairs (OSCA) were also recognized for ensuring the smooth execution of the event.