Highlights from IWAIT 2024 in Langkawi

The International Workshop on Advanced Image Technology (IWAIT) 2024, orchestrated by the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), took place from January 7 to 8 in Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia.

This conference stood out as a premier event for experts in the interdisciplinary field of advanced imaging, attracting over 200 attendees, including researchers, engineers, and students, who gathered to discuss the future of image technology.

At the helm, Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice Chancellor of APU and the conference's General Chair/Finance Chair, provided strategic direction, ensuring the event not only met but exceeded its ambitious goals. The conference programme was meticulously organised by Ir Eur Ing Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, the Programme Co-chair/Poster Session Chair, who is a Senior Lecturer from the School of Engineering (SoE) at APU. The organising committee, which included Associate Professor Dr Tan Chin Ike, Head of the School of Computing (SoC), and Mr Khye Neoh Hoo Thye, Senior Lecturer of SoC, both served as Local Organising Co-Chairs, along with academics from the School – Dr Kuan Yik Junn, Ms Tan Li June, Mr Nicholas Teh Sek Kit – played an instrumental role in organising and executing the conference.

Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice Chancellor of APU; Ts Nur Zahdi Mohd Nor Aldin, Director of Quality Management, provided support and participated in the event, together with Mr Muhammad Anis Ur Rehman, Senior Director of Student Services.

The co-organising institutions brought an international flavour to the conference, with the Korean Institute of Broadcast and Media Engineers (KIBME), Institute of Electronics Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE), Institute of Image Information and Television Engineers (ITE), Japanese Society of Precision Engineering (JSPE-IAPI), and the National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan all contributing to the workshop's diversity and reach.

The conference unfolded with a pre-event Mangrove tour, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with Malaysia's natural beauty and biodiversity, fostering an environment for informal networking and relaxation before the intensive sessions began.

The formal conference was initiated with Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan's opening speech, where he addressed the conference's growth and APU's pivotal role in advancing the field of image technology. His address set the stage for a series of engaging keynote speeches, parallel sessions, and poster presentations.

One of the highlights was the keynote by Associate Professor Dr Andrew J. Campbell, the Adjunct Professor for the School of Psychology (SoP), APU, who brought his extensive expertise in Cyberpsychology to the fore, discussing the intersection of technology and mental health and providing critical insights into how digital environments influence behaviour.

Over the two days, participants were immersed in a comprehensive programme that included parallel sessions covering a myriad of topics, from the theoretical underpinnings of image processing to practical applications in various industries. These sessions facilitated the exchange of innovative ideas and collaborative discussions that are vital for pushing the boundaries of image technology research and application.

The poster sessions, led by Ir Eur Ing Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, provided a platform for emerging scholars and seasoned researchers to present their latest work, receive feedback, and engage in dialogue with their peers. The best paper session, in particular, showcased groundbreaking research with the potential to influence future technological developments.

To wrap up, IWAIT 2024 was not just a conference but a collaborative symposium that demonstrated the power of shared knowledge and collective ambition in the field of advanced image technology. The proceedings reflected a robust commitment to innovation and underscored the significance of fostering a global community dedicated to exploring the possibilities that image technology holds for the future.

The success of IWAIT 2024 lays a foundation for ongoing dialogue and paves the way for subsequent events to further these important conversations, ensuring that the community continues to thrive and contribute to technological advancements in meaningful ways.