JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 29 – The International Human-Centered Technology Conference 2024 (iHumEnTech 2024) was successfully organized by the Institute of Human-Centered Engineering (iHumEn), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Held at the Impiana Hotel in Johor Bahru, the event attracted researchers, clinicians, academics, and students from around the globe. Recognized as a premier platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas, iHumEnTech 2024 showcased innovative research at the intersection of humanity and technology.
The conference was collaboratively organized by iHumEn and the Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), Taiwan. Strong support was also provided by the IJN-UTM Cardiovascular Engineering Centre, along with contributions from the Media and Game Innovation Centre of Excellence (MaGICX), the Sports Innovation & Technology Centre (SITC), and the Medical Devices and Technology Centre (MEDiTEC). Partnerships with the International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE) and the International Symposium on Engineering and Technology 2024 (ISET 2024) further enhanced the conference’s global outreach, fostering a robust network of leading researchers and industry professionals.
The event commenced with a welcoming speech by UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir. Ts Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, who expressed pride in UTM’s pivotal role in fostering impactful collaborations and advancing human-centered technology. He highlighted the importance of connecting technology with humanity to address global challenges and improve the quality of life, setting an inspiring tone for a conference that celebrated innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
With participation from 32 institutions across 14 countries, including Malaysia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Czech Republic, Japan, China, Tanzania, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, iHumEnTech 2024 provided a premier platform for knowledge exchange on human-centered technologies. This global participation highlighted the conference’s mission to create a strong network of leading researchers and industry professionals while fostering a sense of belonging to a larger, connected community. Topics ranged from assistive technology and bio-instrumentation to health and safety, encompassing a broad spectrum of human-centered technology. Over 107 research articles were submitted between February and August 2024, with 77 high-quality papers selected for publication in the Scopus-indexed IFMBE Proceedings, themed “Emerging Science & Technology for Human Well-Being.” Impactful poster presentations also showcased cutting-edge advancements in human-centered technology, particularly in biomedical detection.
iHumEnTech 2024 featured captivating presentations from renowned keynote speakers. Adjunct Prof. Dato’ Dr. Suhaini Kadiman of Malaysia’s National Heart Institute (IJN) emphasized the transformative potential of Real-World Data (RWD) in healthcare, focusing on its role in personalizing treatments and streamlining clinical workflows. Prof. Dr. Gou-Jen Wang from NCHU presented a revolutionary Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) platform, highlighting innovations in chip design for biosensing applications.
On the second day, Prof. Dr. Jia-Jin J. Chen of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan, and Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi from UTM delivered inspiring presentations on digital therapeutics for brain neuromodulation and teleoperation robotics in healthcare, respectively.
Strategic collaborations were a key feature of the conference, underscoring its significance and impact. The event demonstrated its commitment to advancing human-centered technologies through the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Datalytica Sdn. Bhd. and Simpnify Sdn. Bhd., a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with NCHU, and a Research Contract Agreement (RCA) with IJN Sdn. Bhd. These agreements symbolize the enduring impact of iHumEnTech in fostering innovation and collaboration. The signing ceremony, held during the Conference Gala Dinner, also celebrated the contributions of distinguished speakers, sponsors, and participants, further emphasizing the event’s importance.
Concluding with an awards ceremony for the Best Paper and Poster, iHumEnTech 2024 reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for transformative research and global partnerships. The research presented at the conference offers hope and anticipation for a future driven by sustainable, human-centered solutions. UTM and its partners are commended for their vision and excellence in organizing this impactful event, which has significantly strengthened international collaborations in medical and healthcare technology. Congratulations to the dedicated organizing committees from UTM and NCHU for orchestrating such a remarkable and influential conference.
