The Institution of Engineers (India), Kuwait Chapter organised International Conference and Exhibition on "Engineering Challenges in Gulf Countries – 2019” here at Radison Blu Hotel on Sunday, 12th January. Dr. M Mahendhran, Chairman IEI Kuwait Chapter welcomed dignitaries and guests in his welcome address.
Chief Guest Dr. Samira A S Omar, Director General, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research declared the conference open and wished everyone a great success. She also released a Souvenir on the occasion. Engr Sisir Banerjee, Past Chairman IEI India gave a brief about the IEI and informed that IEI is now having distinguished recognition as Scientific and Research body. He also highlighted that starting September 2019, IEI will enter into its’ centenary celebration as it completes 100 years in service to mankind.
Ms Hannalore Graf, Chairman German Business Council inaugurated the exhibition on 12th January and honored the event sponsors in the concluding session on 13th January. Guest of Honor, Mr Herbert Klausner, CEO, Seimens Group delivered Key Note speech on “Siemens – Engineering – Business to Society”.
Conference Chairman, Dr. S Neelamani, Senior Research Scientist, Coastal Management Program, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Kuwait gave brief about the international Conference. He applauded the efforts of all authors who submitted papers. As many as 43 papers were received on the proposed theme from different countries, out of which 30 were approved for publication in conference souvenir and presentation. He also delivered keynote speech on “Challenges in the Coastal Zone Development of Countries Surrounding the Arabian Gulf”.
Dr. Sultan Al Salem, Associate Research Scientist, KISR delivered Key Note speech on “Waste Not, Want Not: Standardizing Biodegradable Plastics as a Waste Management Mitigation Strategy”. He specializes in Polymer Degradation Kinetics. He is currently working on several research projects.
Conference proceedings included six technical sessions which covered almost 30 papers by both Kuwaiti and International speakers. Speakers covered topics on engineering challenges in the area of land and marine infrastructure development, oil and gas exploration and exploitation, waste management, renewable energy, food security and desert agriculture, environmental problems and management, and issues related to all other engineering fields which affect the socioeconomic development of Gulf countries. Simultaneously running Product Presentation sessions also pulled a large number of audience as information on the engineering products was shared by the companies. Many engineering companies displayed their products in the exhibition and offered information and catalogues to visitors.
Large number of industry experts, dignitaries and distinguished guests from Ministries, Kuwait University, KSE, KISR, KNPC, KOC, Equate and Engineers, Technocrats, Consultants, Decision Makers and Business Leaders from Leading Engineering Firms and IEI Members participated and attended the conference.
As a token of appreciation, Mementoes and certificate of presentation were presented to all the distinguished speakers. Engr. Hirak Kumar Mitra, Hon. General Secretary, IEI Kuwait Chapter proposed the vote of thanks. He thanked all the dignitaries, guests, sponsors, members for making the event a grand success. He also thanked the conference team members Eng Noor Mohammad, Eng Sam Ananth Kumar and Eng Sudhir S Menghani for their tireless efforts and sincerity. He also thanked Ms Bhagyashree Koranne and Ms Rajlakshmi, Ladies Wing members for their role as Master of Ceremony.
This conference provided a unique opportunity to address engineering challenges faced by Gulf countries. Knowledge dissemination by experts will definitely help for faster development of cutting-edge technology in various engineering disciplines to meet these challenges.