11th International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures debuts in Malaysia

KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak (Swinburne Sarawak) has been chosen as the organiser for the 11th International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures (ICASS 2023), marking its debut in Malaysia.

Swinburne Sarawak pro vice-chancellor and CEO Professor Lau Hieng Ho noted the potential of sustainable development, particularly in steel structures, for Sarawak’s infrastructure and housing.

“Through this conference, it will indirectly propel the steel industry forward in this state,” he said during the opening ceremony of ICASS 2023. The event was officiated by Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng at Waterfront Hotel here on today (Dec 6).

Prof Lau explained that ICASS is a prestigious international conference series initiated in 1996 by chairman Professor S L Chan from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Held every two years globally, previous conferences took place in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Nanjing, Lisbon and Chengdu.

“ICASS 2023 will be unique, as it is the first time the conference is being held in Malaysia, specifically in Sarawak,” he added.

ICASS serves as a crucial platform for researchers, engineers, and industry practitioners to share the latest developments, standards, and best practices in steel design.

Prof Lau urged engineers and industry players to actively participate in such conferences, fostering idea exchange and capitalising on opportunities to expand their professional networks.

For this edition, he disclosed that a total of 137 articles were submitted to ICASS 2023, involving authors from 15 countries across diverse regions.

“We have 23 technical sections covering various topics, including steel, composite, cold-formed steel, corrosion, connection, fire, seismic, stainless steel, and Metal 3D printing.

“All articles have been selected after a rigorous two-stage review process – abstract review and full paper review.”