Shaping a sustainable future: Insights from WattMEC 2025
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia brought together over 200 students, academics, and industry leaders for the Watt Malaysia Exhibition and Conference (WattMEC) 2025, held from 9 to 10 April at its Putrajaya campus.
This annual event, jointly organised by the University’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) and the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society (EGIS), has become a cornerstone for innovation and collaboration.
Held under the theme “Bridging the Future: Sustainability, Technology, and Beyond,” WattMEC 2025 tackled some of today’s most pressing global challenges. The conference focused on three transformative pillars: Sustainability (green infrastructure and sustainable materials), Technology (renewable energy and net-zero strategies), and Innovation (the power of digitalisation and machine learning to reshape industries).
WattMEC is not just about showcasing research; it’s about sparking critical discussions that shape industries.
Designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, the event showcased how academic research can drive real-world solutions. It served as a dynamic platform for fostering collaborations that are expected to shape the future of engineering, technology, and sustainability.
Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost and CEO of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, said: “WattMEC 2025 reflects our vision of creating a platform where innovation meets collaboration. By bringing together students, academics, and industry leaders, we aim to address global challenges through interdisciplinary dialogue and technological advancement.”
Building on this theme, Professor Syed Hassan, Head of EPS and EGIS, added: “Our students are at the heart of WattMEC’s success. This year’s event demonstrates their ability to bridge academia and industry by applying research to drive impactful solutions for a sustainable future.”
Assistant Professor Dr Nur Dalilla Nordin, Chairman of WattMEC, said: “WattMEC is not just about showcasing research; it’s about sparking critical discussions that shape industries. This year’s focus on sustainability and innovation highlights our commitment to solving real-world problems through collaboration.”
The two-day event featured impactful keynote sessions by industry leaders such as Datuk Ts. Mahadhir Aziz (former CEO, MDEC), Ir. Amir Farid Abdul Majid (Diagnostic Engineer, Baker Hughes), Sr. Dainna Baharuddin (Director, Basar and Harun), and Ir. Fam Yew Hin (Director, Wibawa Group).
A major highlight was the panel forum “Shaping Futures: Integrating Technology, Sustainability, and Innovation Across Industries.” Featuring leading voices from both academia and industry—including Associate Professor David Barron, Azeem Abu Bakar (Managing Director, FMT News), Rozila Abdul Rahman (Director, Art Projeks), Ar. Dr Serina Hijjas (Director, Hijjas Kasturi Associates), and Ir. Hong Wai Onn (Head of Sales, Novonesis)—the session explored how integrated innovation is transforming industries and underscored the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration.
For the first time, WattMEC introduced Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation, recognised by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM). This milestone firmly establishes WattMEC as a hub for professional growth—offering structured learning that not only elevates industry professionals' skills but also highlights the leadership of students in shaping the future of their fields.