Keynote Speech 1 - Deployment of Surface Water Quality Models for Decision Making in Malaysia by Ir. Dr. Zaki Zainudin

Ir. Dr. Zaki Zainudin is a leading expert in water quality and modeling, with extensive experience in environmental studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and is a Professional Engineer registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia. Additionally, he is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Environmentalist in the UK.

Dr. Zaki specializes in physical, chemical, and biological water and wastewater characteristics, using models like QUAL2E/2K, Visual Plumes, and WASP for water quality assessments. He serves as an expert panelist for the Department of Environment Malaysia and provides consultancy to top environmental and engineering firms.

His career includes academic positions at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and he is active in international water quality initiatives. Notably, he is the Vice-Chair of the Watershed and River Basin Management Specialist Group at the International Water Association (IWA). Dr. Zaki has significantly contributed to developing water quality guidelines and standards, establishing himself as a key figure in environmental engineering.

Keynote Speech 2- Reimagining Sustainable Roads With Next Generation Asphalt Materials By Professor Dr. Mohamed MH Mostafa

Prof. Mohamed Mostafa is a distinguished academic and professional engineer specializing in sustainable civil infrastructure and transportation engineering. He currently serves as the Chair of the KZNDoT Chair in Sustainable Transportation at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), where he is actively involved in academic management and research. With over 28 years of experience in research, teaching, and industry, Prof. Mostafa has made significant contributions to the field of civil engineering.  Prof. Mostafa holds a Ph.D. in Pavement Engineering from the University of Liverpool, UK, an MSc in Civil Engineering from Suez Canal University, Egypt, and a BSc in Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) from Suez Canal University. His extensive research focuses on sustainable road infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on utilizing non-conventional materials for pavement construction. This work has led to an impressive publication record, with over 100 scholarly articles in high-impact journals and conferences.

He has held numerous academic and research positions, including Professor Extraordinarius at UNISA and Research Fellow at INTI International University, Malaysia. His leadership roles include serving as the Academic Leader for Civil/Agricultural Engineering at Howard College, UKZN, and as the merSETA Chair of Engineering Development at the Central University of Technology. Prof. Mostafa is recognized internationally for his expertise, evidenced by his role as an invited keynote speaker at conferences such as the ICETD 2024 in Malaysia and the Smart Materials Conference in Budapest. He is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE).

Prof. Mostafa's research interests include the innovative use of recycled materials in pavement construction, the environmental impacts of road infrastructure, and the application of information technology to enhance transportation systems. His dedication to sustainability and innovation in civil engineering has earned him numerous awards and external grants, including significant funding from SANRAL and KZNDoT.

Keynote Speech 3- Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Novel Approach for Sustainable Solutions towards Clean Cities of Bangladesh By Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim

Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim  is a distinguished Bangladeshi academic and researcher specializing in Civil and Environmental Engineering. With over 32 years of teaching, research, and administrative experience across universities in Bangladesh and Japan, he is currently a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technical Education (FSTE) at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Gazipur, Bangladesh. Dr. Karim holds a Ph.D. from Yamaguchi University, Japan, and both Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). His expertise spans various areas, including microplastics pollution, water quality monitoring, desalination, waste management, climate change impact assessment, and rainwater harvesting. He has significantly contributed to the field through his research projects and numerous publications.

Throughout his career, Dr. Karim has held several key administrative positions such as Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, Head of the Department, Dean, and Postgraduate Coordinator. His leadership extends to organizing national and international conferences and supervising numerous graduate and undergraduate students. He has also led multiple research projects funded by various organizations, including the Government of Bangladesh, WHO, and the European Commission. Dr. Karim is an active member of several professional bodies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the International Water Association (IWA). His research contributions are well-recognized, with numerous publications in prestigious journals and conferences, as well as a best poster award at an international conference in Japan.

With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and education, Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim continues to influence and lead advancements in civil and environmental engineering. His work not only addresses critical environmental challenges but also contributes to the development of sustainable solutions in urban and rural water supply, sanitation, and waste management.

Keynote Speech 4- Low cost Solar Desalination by  Professor Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita

Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita: A Trailblazer in Sustainable Engineering. Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, a distinguished professor at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) in Indonesia, is at the forefront of sustainable engineering. Despite his initial disinterest in farming, he found his passion at USU’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, where he thrived academically and socially. His career in academia ignited a deep passion for teaching and research, leading him to become a lecturer and civil servant at USU. Himsar’s quest for knowledge took him to Japan, where he earned a doctoral scholarship to study sustainable energy and climate change. His research focuses on renewable energy systems, particularly solar and bioenergy technologies.

Prof. Ambarita has made significant contributions to the field through numerous research papers published in high-impact journals and active participation in international conferences. His innovative work addresses energy efficiency and sustainability challenges, bringing practical applications to life. At USU, he plays multiple roles, advancing engineering education and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Prof. Ambarita’s dedication to mentoring young engineers and engaging in research projects funded by national and international organizations promotes green technology and sustainable development. His efforts to integrate sustainable practices into engineering solutions continue to shape a greener future for Indonesia and beyond.

Keynote Speech 5- Next-Generation Heat Transformation Technologies: Revolutionizing Water Production and Air-Conditioning Applications By Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Sultan

Dr. Muhammad Sultan is an Associate Professor of Energy & Environmental Engineering at the Agricultural Engineering Department, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. He earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering with distinctions from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. He completed his Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Research at Kyushu University, Japan, as a recipient of MEXT and JASSO fellowships. Additionally, he conducted postdoctoral research at Simon Fraser University, Canada, as a Canadian Queen Elizabeth Advance Scholar.

Recognized among the World's Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University/Elsevier in 2023, Dr. Sultan is the top-ranked scientist in Pakistan in Agricultural Engineering according to the AD Scientific Index Ranking. He is also a Research Fellow at the University of South Africa and INTI International University, Malaysia. His professional experience includes work at the Kyushu University International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER).

Dr. Sultan is currently leading seven research projects funded by the Pakistan Higher Education Commission, UK Research & Innovation, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. He has completed six projects in agricultural engineering and supervised 17 M.Eng. and 1 Ph.D. thesis. With over 189 journal articles, 100+ conference articles, 23 book chapters, and 14 books published, his work has garnered over 5000 citations, an h-index of 38, and an i10-index of 118. His research focuses on energy aspects of agricultural engineering technologies, including evaporative cooling, desiccant air-conditioning, adsorption heat pumps, and wastewater treatment. He serves as an editor for several SCI journals, including AgriEngineering, Agriculture, Agronomy, and Sustainability.

Keynote Speech 6- Approaches to Sustainable Development of Civil Infrastructure By Professor Dr. John Kinuthia

Professor Dr. John Kinuthia is a leading academic in the field of civil engineering, currently serving as a Professor of Innovation and Engagement in Civil Engineering at the University of South Wales (USW), UK. He heads the Advanced Materials Testing Centre (AMTeC) at USW, focusing on sustainable building materials, utilizing natural, industrial, and agricultural waste. With a PhD from the University of Glamorgan, MSc from the University of Birmingham, and BSc from the University of Nairobi, Professor Kinuthia’s research spans soil and cement-based systems, 3D printing, smart concrete, and geo-polymer materials.

Professor Kinuthia has made significant contributions to sustainable construction, earning the Royal Society Brian Mercer Award for Innovation for his work on unfired scaly systems. His innovations have been implemented in Africa, providing cost-effective housing solutions with UNESCO’s support. He has a rich academic background, with extensive teaching, research, and consultancy experience, and has supervised numerous PhD students. His work on sustainable development and waste management in construction has garnered international recognition, making him a respected figure in the engineering community.