Kuala Lumpur, 7
September 2020- True to its commitment to innovation while embracing
the “new norm”, the World Tunnel Congress 2020 will now be held
fully digital, paving the way for tunnelling academicians and
industry players alike to be a part of the world’s greatest meeting
of tunnellers, regardless of where they are.
Short for ITA-AITES
World Tunnel Congress 2020, WTC2020 was initially due to be held in
September at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). Recent
circumstances set off by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many
cancellations of major events around the world and drove the need to
move the World Tunnel Congress 2020 (WTC2020) into a digital platform
as a result of global border control, restrictions on mass gathering
and the requirement for physical distancing.
After much
deliberation with
the official organizer
— The
Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and the International
Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES), decided to
take the Congress virtual by streaming the programs on various dates
from 11th
to 17th
September
2020 via a secured digital platform.
WTC2020 will kick
start
with opening speeches
on 14 September 2020
by industry giants such as long-time
IEM backers, WTC2020 Organising Chairman, Ir. Dr Teik Aun Ooi, IEM
President
Ir. Ong Ching Loon plus ITA President, Prof. Jenny Yan. Themed
“Innovation and Sustainable Underground Serving Global
Connectivity”, the Congress will feature up to 300 technical
presentations and talks focusing on these areas.
The main highlight
will be a cross-discipline initiative at WTC, a Landmark Lecture
given by Professor Charles W. W. Ng, Chair Professor of Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology and also President of the
International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical
Engineering. An illustrious speaker that has given keynote speeches
worldwide, his talk on tunnel to tunnel and tunnel to pile foundation
interactions is bound to liven the virtual Congress.
There will also be
interactive sessions throughout as participants will get to pose
their questions and engage with speakers and presenters. In fact,
although now fully digital, WTC2020 makes no compromise in what it
offers, as there will still be up to 80 exhibitors present showcasing
the latest in tunnelling trends via a digital gallery, complete with
attendants ready to attend to visitors to via chatrooms throughout
the tunnelling event.
The WTC2020 will also
feature two general assemblies at the end of the Congress, namely the
ITA young members (ITAym) General Assembly and 46th
ITA
General Assembly.
WTC2020 is a golden
opportunity for the engineering fraternities in Malaysia as it brings
our ingenuity and capacity in tunnelling to a global stage.
Malaysia’s tunnelling icons includes the 9.7 km, two-storey SMART
Tunnel the longest dual function highway and storm water drainage
tunnel in South East Asia and the
impressive
Mass Rapid Transit lines, Kajang and Putrajaya line respectively.
These
projects have given birth to many tunnelling innovations such as the
Variable Density Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and the autonomous TBM.
Although the format of
the Congress is now virtual, conference objectives will still be met
if not exceeded as technology removes the geographical and physical
limitations of knowledge transactions. While it is disheartening that
the Congress could not be held physically in the beautiful city of
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
continues to wait for delegates everywhere, as we battle the Covid-19
pandemic in unison.
WTC2020 Digital is
still open for registrations but filling up fast. For more details
and updates on upcoming programs, check out the official homepage
www.wtc2020.my.
About the WTC
WTC is
owned by the International Tunnelling and Underground Space
Association (ITA) which is founded in 1974 and is the leading
international organization which aims to encourage the use of the
subsurface for the benefit of public, environment and sustainable
development and to promote advances in planning, design,
construction, maintenance and safety of tunnels and underground
space, by knowledge sharing and application of technology. Presently,
ITA gathers 78 Member Nations and 266 corporate or individual
Affiliate Members.
ITA holds, at once, its
General Assembly and the World Tunnel Congress (WTC) in a different
Member Nation, each year.
About the IEM
The
Institution of Engineers of Malaysia (IEM) is a civil society
organisation established to promote the science and profession of
engineering in any of its disciplines and to facilitate the exchange
of information and ideas related to engineering. Founded in 1959 and
with a membership of over 50,000 today, IEM constitutes one of the
largest professional organisations in the country. Amongst its many
roles, the Institution plays an active part in supporting various
sustainable socio-economic development of the country and in nation
building. It represents the aspirations of its members, acts in the
best interests of the public of whom its members serve whilst
upholding the standing and image of the profession.
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