The Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at Dawood University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Karachi, successfully hosted the highly anticipated 2nd International Conference on Blurring the Barriers: The Interdisciplinary Value of Materials Engineering on December 17–18, 2024. This landmark event served as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing cutting-edge research, and fostering collaborations between researchers, industry leaders, and academics.
The conference aimed to highlight the transformative potential of materials engineering in various domains. It emphasized the critical importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing global challenges and advancing technologies in sectors such as healthcare, architecture and construction, green energy, the circular economy, and aerospace. This two-day conference was dedicated to promoting engagement, networking, and collaboration among researchers from renowned universities and professionals from diverse institutions, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and technology for mutual benefit. Over the decades, the field of materials engineering has improved the well-being of people through innovative systems. These achievements are a testament to the multidisciplinary, pragmatic, and systems-oriented approach that characterizes the field.
The event opened with a welcoming address by Dr. Sajid Hussain Siyal, Chairperson of the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at DUET. Dr. Siyal expressed his gratitude to the participants, emphasizing the department’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in material science and engineering.
Prof. Dr. Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor of DUET, officially inaugurated the conference. In her remarks, she highlighted the relevance of the conference theme, stating that materials engineering is at the forefront of solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. She further emphasized the university’s role as a hub for interdisciplinary research and knowledge sharing.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Antonio Feteira, a renowned scholar from the Materials and Engineering Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University. Prof. Feteira captivated the audience with his insights into recent advancements in materials science, particularly focusing on sustainable and high-performance materials that are revolutionizing industries. His address set a compelling tone for the two-day event.
Adding to the thought-provoking discussions during the inaugural session, Prof. Dr. Hakan Ateş from Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye, shared valuable insights on the integration of advanced materials into emerging technologies. Prof. Ateş emphasized the importance of fostering international collaborations and highlighted how innovative materials are critical in addressing modern industrial and environmental challenges.
The Guest of Honor, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Mayor of Karachi, praised DUET’s initiative in organizing such a significant event. In his address, Barrister Wahab spoke about the importance of breaking down silos and fostering interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. He commended the organizers for their vision and stressed the role of materials engineering in driving technological innovation and economic growth in Pakistan and beyond.
The inaugural session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Prof. Dr. Abdul Waheed Bhutto, a senior academic at DUET. Prof. Bhutto expressed his deep appreciation to the distinguished speakers, esteemed guests, and participants for their invaluable contributions to the success of the event. He also extended special gratitude to the organizing committee for their tireless efforts in making the conference a reality.
The two-day conference featured an impressive lineup of experts and panelists, including five international speakers from leading universities and research institutions around the globe, nine national speakers who presented diverse perspectives and groundbreaking research in material science and engineering, and twenty-four panelists representing both academia and industry. These panelists engaged in stimulating discussions on the interdisciplinary applications of materials engineering.
The plenary sessions focused on key themes, including:
• Materials Engineering in the Healthcare Sector
• Materials Engineering & Architecture/Construction Industry
• Materials Engineering & Green Energy for a Sustainable Environment
• Materials Engineering & the Circular Economy
In the technical presentations, scholars and industry experts presented over 50 research papers covering a diverse range of topics, from nanotechnology and advanced composites to solid-state electrolytes and smart coatings. Moreover, panel discussions covered future trends in materials engineering and strategies to promote interdisciplinary collaborations.
The conference welcomed a distinguished lineup of international and national speakers, showcasing expertise from renowned institutions worldwide. These included:
• Prof. Dr. Antonio Feteira, Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
• Prof. Dr. Hakan Ateş, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye
• Dr. Yasemin Tabak, TÜBİTAK, Türkiye
• Prof. Dr. Yu Yunua, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China
• Dr. Tulio Hallak Panzera, Federal University of São João del Rei (UFSJ), Brazil
National speakers included:
• Prof. Dr. Irshad Hussain, LUMS, Lahore
• Prof. Dr. Mohsin Ali Raza, University of the Punjab
• Dr. Zakir Hussain Dahri, DG, Agriculture Sindh
• Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Bhutto, IBA Sukkur
• Dr. Muhammad Atiq-ur-Rehman, Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad
• Dr. Muhammad Zahir Iqbal, GIK
• Dr. Sajjad Ali Mangi, MUET, SZAB Khairpur
Key luminaries from materials engineering and industries such as healthcare, architecture, green energy for a sustainable environment, circular economy, smart technology, agribusiness, and avionics also attended.
The event was honored by the presence of Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, a renowned educationist, as the Chief Guest, and Prof. Dr. S. M. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (Sindh HEC), as the Guest of Honor. Commodore Nauman Rafique, Director General, Pakistan Navy Concept and Doctrine Development Center, also graced the occasion.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Prof. Dr. Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering and Technology. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished guests, speakers, participants, and organizing team for making the conference a resounding success.
