Monday, 22 February 2010, saw the opening of the 1st WIETE Annual Conference on Engineering and Technology Education in Pattaya, Thailand, which ran until 25 February 2010 at Seri Place Hotel Pattaya. The Conference was organised against all the odds resulting from the global economic downturn and the present unfavourable situation at universities concerning international travel. Despite these difficulties, more than 20 international academics attended the Conference and presented their papers.

This Conference was a special occasion for members and associates of the WIETE: the celebration of the Institute’s first year of eventful and successful operation. Although a small meeting by the number of papers, it has attracted the most loyal and dedicated of colleagues and friends who, despite the global economic hardship, are showing support of the WIETE and its global cause by submitting their valuable research papers and attending this Conference.

In his introductory address, the WIETE Director, Professor Zenon J. Pudlowski, presented the aims and objectives of this Conference that brought together members and associates of the WIETE, as well as other international academics, to identify and discuss challenges and opportunities for the WIETE and its global operation. Sharing new ideas, discussing the needs for innovation and airing the issues of importance for engineering and technology education, were also important Conference objectives.

The Opening Welcome address was delivered by the University’s Vice-President for Research, Associate Professor Dr Vanida Bhavakul, on behalf of the Honorary Chairman, Professor Kraiwood Kiattikomol, President, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand, in which she emphasised the need for international cooperation and wished Conference participants success in their deliberations and a pleasant stay in Thailand. Two Opening Addresses were presented by Professor Adinarayana Kalanidhi, the Vice-President of the Commonwealth Science and Technology Academy for Research (C-STAR), Chennai, India, also a Vice-President of the WIETE International Academic Advisory Committee (WIETE-IAAC); and Professor Harold P. Sjursen of the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America. Professor Sjursen is also Vice-President of the WIETE International Academic Advisory Committee (WIETE-IAAC).

The Conference resulted in several important outcomes, which will help to set the stage for effective operation of the WIETE through its future activities and ventures. The Conference Proceedings, including 23 informative papers, were published on CD and are now available on the WIETE site.

The picture shows Assoc. Prof. Vanida Bhavakul presenting her Opening Welcome address.