Malaysia wins bid to host tunnel congress in 2020

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has been chosen as the host for the World Tunnel Congress (WTC) in 2020, beating Australia to the job.

At the recent 43rd International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) general assembly in Norway, member countries scrutinised the bids with 30 votes given to Malaysia. Australia garnered 22 votes.

Announcing the news, Institution of Engineers Malaysia’s (IEM) tunnelling and underground technical division chairman Dr Ooi Teik Aun said Malaysia lobbied for both the WTC 2020 and 46th ITA general assembly to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

He added that the event, co-organised with IEM, had the support of the Works Ministry and seve­ral private organisations.

WTC 2020, which expects 1,200 delegates, will have “Innovation and Sustainable Underground Serving Global Connectivity” as its theme.

IEM is a governing body in Malaysia that serves to promote and advance the science and profession of engineering in any or all of its disciplines and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas related to engineering.

“In line with IEM’s mission to create a platform towards nation building and striving to enhance society’s consciousness of science and technology, hosting WTC 2020 and ITA general assembly here will be conducive to the attainment of IEM’s objectives,” said Ooi.

He added that IEM’s membership was growing at a rate of 10% every year, with current membership at around 40,000.