USM, WFEO DISCUSS COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND INNOVATION

NIBONG TEBAL, 13 October 2026 - The Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus (KKTSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), received a courtesy visit from the President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), Er. Dr. Seng-Chuan Tan, to discuss potential collaboration in engineering education, knowledge sharing and professional development.

The meeting, held at the River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), also provided a platform for exchanging views on WFEO’s role in advancing engineering globally and opportunities for universities to participate in related initiatives.

KKTSS USM Director, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha, said the visit provided an opportunity for the university to gain a deeper understanding of WFEO’s role and initiatives, as well as identify potential areas for future collaboration.

She expressed hope that the meeting would serve as a foundation for closer ties between USM and WFEO, particularly in knowledge sharing, engineering education and professional development.

Meanwhile, Er. Dr. Seng-Chuan Tan shared insights into WFEO’s role as an international organisation that brings together more than 100 national engineering organisations and represents approximately 30 million engineers worldwide.

Established in 1968, WFEO operates under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris.

Its key focus areas include capacity building in developing countries, addressing climate change and rising sea levels, and encouraging innovation among young engineers through initiatives such as hackathons.

He also highlighted Malaysia’s involvement in WFEO through the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), including Malaysia’s role in chairing the Committee on Engineering Innovation and Technology, one of the federation’s 13 Standing Technical Committees.

The exchange provided USM with insights into global engineering networks and initiatives, while laying the groundwork for identifying opportunities for the university to contribute to relevant areas.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photo: Courtesy of the River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC)