First National Conference on the Recent Trends in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology CASET 2K 19

Conference Report

Ibri College of Technology (IbriCT), Engineering Department, planned to conduct its First National Conference on the Recent Trends in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology - CASET 2K19 on 11 June 2019 with the objective of bringing together innovative academicians and industrial experts from all over the country, in the fields of Science, Engineering and Technology, to a common forum. A proposal was submitted to the dean in December 2018 (proposal attached). The dean approved the proposal granting a total budget of 400 OMR for the conduction of the event. Dr Rehna Veerankutty Jameela was assigned as the conference coordinator. A series of meetings was conducted (minutes of the meeting attached). Different committees were formed, and responsibilities were assigned to committees in charge and their members (List of Committees and responsibilities attached). The CASET Logo was designed, an exclusive email address (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) was generated and a conference website was created. QR codes for the conference website and feedback form were also generated. A call for papers (email copy attached) email was send to all Colleges of Technology, Applied Science Colleges and Private Engineering Colleges across Oman, inviting research papers and posters from students, research scholars, faculty of colleges and professionals across the Sultanate in three different tracks: Applied Sciences, Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The response to the conference was tremendous and the committee put in a lot of effort in short-listing the papers for presentation in the conference. Based on the request by authors from different institutions, the paper submission deadline was extended from 23 March 2019 to 7 April 2019. Original manuscripts were received as papers and posters from authors across eight institutions (List of papers received attached). These papers have been made to undergo thorough double-blind review processes by subject experts. The paper review report with reviewer comments was communicated to the authors via email and they were requested to revise the paper accordingly (Paper review report attached). The 27 best papers and 10 best posters were accepted for presentation in the conference, based on their technical merits (List of accepted papers attached). Acceptance notifications were sent to all authors of accepted papers and posters via email. The conference had a paper rejection ratio of 20%. 

The authors revised the papers based on the expert comments of the reviewers and sent the camera-ready paper by 8 May 2019. The authors were asked to register online by completing and submitting the online registration form in the CASET website. All the authors of accepted papers and posters completed the online registration by 22 May 2019. A conference proceeding containing all the accepted papers was printed and published. This proceeding will provide the scientific world with an excellent reference book and will be a motivation to stimulate further study and research in all these areas. 

 The conference was conducted on 11 June 2019. Dr Hamdan Mohammed Al Manthari, college dean, gave the welcome speech. The conference was inaugurated by the guest of honour, Engineer Sheikh Abdullah Bin Talib Bin Ali Al Hinai, Director General of Housing, Ad Dhahirah Governorate. Many distinguished delegates graced the occasion with their presence. The guest of honour and dignitaries released conference proceedings at the inaugural session. Mr Rashid Said Rashid Al Hinai, assistant dean of administrative and financial affairs, gave the keynote address. After the inaugural session, the research papers were presented in three parallel venues, under three different tracks namely; Basic Mechanics, Manufacturing and Thermal Engineering in the Lecture Theatre; Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering in the Multipurpose Hall and Mathematical Modelling, Design and Data Management in the Electronics Skills Lab, B105. The posters were exhibited at the corridor, ground floor of Engineering building for visitors. 

67 participants from eight institutions across Oman attended the conference and presented their papers and exhibited the posters (Programme schedule attached). The papers and posters presented at the conference were further reviewed by the sessions’ chairs and evaluators and the best papers and posters were shortlisted and awarded during the valedictory session. 

The best paper award in each track were given to:

1. Dr G. Sugumaran from Nizwa College of Technology, for the paper titled, “An Algebraic Approach for Lower Order Model Formulation of MIMO Linear Time Invariant Continuous Systems”
2. Dr Binumol S. from Shinas College of Technology, for the paper titled, “Physical Modelling on Hydraulic Performance Characteristics of Perforated Quarter Circle Breakwater” and
3. Dr S. Joseph Sekhar from Shinas College of Technology, for the paper titled “Performance studies on HC/HFO/HFC refrigerants and mixtures as an eco-friendly replacement for R134a in domestic refrigeration systems” 

The best poster award was given to:

1. Mr Veera Sivakumar C. H and Mr Mohmmed Mosoud Bati Sulaiyam Al Hinai from Ibri College of Technology, for the poster titled “Technical Review of High Voltage Direct Current Transmission (HVDC) and GCCIA Project”.

Lunch was organised in the Multipurpose Hall at 1.30 pm, followed by a valedictory session at 2.30 pm int the Lecture Theatre. Mr Nasser Al Shammakhi, head of the Department of Engineering, gave the vote of thanks during the concluding session. All presenters and participants were honoured with mementos and certificates during the closing session.