PENANG, 2 February 2016 - Today, we live in what is referred to as the Information Age or Digital Age of the 21^stcentury. Automobiles, refrigerators, the Internet, World Wide Web, smart phones, tablet computers, and satellites are examples of high-technology products that are part and parcel of daily 21^st century living.

This was mentioned by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan during his officiating speech for the International Conference on Robotics, Vision, Signal Processing and Power Applications (RoViSP ‘16) held in Park Royal Hotel Penang today.

He said, when used in a responsible and ethical manner, these products and services would have much to offer to the well-being of humanity and the eco-system.

“However, the use of the present day products and services could also bring about many challenges to humanity and the eco-system, among them are challenges such as the depletion of the ozone layer, the depletion of non-renewable, natural resources such as fossil fuel and oil, and an increasing amount of electronic waste arising from the increased production and consumption of electrical and electronic devices,” added Muhamad who represented the Vice-Chancellor of USM.

Furthermore, the challenges have to be properly addressed if humanity and the eco-system are to continue to survive into the next millennium and beyond, where more eco-friendly technologies and responsible ways of managing modern technologies are needed.

Muhamad hoped that this conference would contribute to discussions on the abovementioned matters, in addition to discussions on the important applications of the innovations that will be presented by the keynote speakers and technical paper presenters. 

Meanwhile, the Dean of the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering USM, Prof. Dr. Mohd Rizal Arshad said, this conference has gathered all participants from Malaysia and also abroad, in order for them to sit together and share their knowledge on the four components concerned that are Robotics, Vision, Signal Processing and Power Applications.

“The theme “Empowering Research and Innovation” also portrays the goal of the conference that is to provide an open forum for researchers, academicians, and industry players to present and discuss their latest innovations not only from the technological perspective but also from the research perspective,” he told.

He added further, the technological outputs from research and innovation would contribute directly to the well-being of individuals and society in general.

More than 100 participants have registered for this two-day conference, organized by the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering USM, together with Springer as the technical co-sponsor and supported by VITROX and SIRIM.

Also present during the opening ceremony were Chairman of RoViSP 2016, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dahaman Ishak, Director of River Engineering & Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), Prof. Dr. Nor Azazi Zakaria, Director of Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre (CEDEC), Prof. Dr. Mohd Zaid Abdullah and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) VITROX Corporation Berhad, Mr. Lee Wei Yee. 

Text : Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah / Editing : Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin