KEEPING ITS TRADITION, CERAD UET SUCCESSFULLY ORGANIZES 6th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENERGY CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY (ICECE) 2023 AT UET LAHORE.
ICECE is a flagship event of the Centre for Energy Research & Development (CERAD), UET Lahore that has been happening consistently for the last five years with the spirit of providing an opportunity and platform to the researchers, engineers, and energy experts to explore and exchange ideas in the rapidly developing domain of energy efficiency and conservation strategies. Like all previous conferences, the 6th edition was also massively successful and unique in its features inspiring researchers, academics, Industrial experts, public sector, and private organizations not only from across the country but also from around the world to witness quality research papers, invited talks, panel discussion, and industrial exposition. The 2-day international conference was organized by Centre for Energy Research Development (CERAD), University of Engineering Technology Lahore technically co-sponsorship by IEEE USA.
The opening ceremony of the conference was graced by the presence of Vice-Chancellor UET, Prof. Dr. Nadeem Ahmad Mufti as a Chief Guest. Chair IEEE Lahore Section, Dr. Shazib Rathore, Managing Director, Central Region, Huawei Pakistan (Pvt). Ltd, Mr. Robin / Xing Xiaobing were invited as distinguished guests whereas a special message from Chairman, Higher Education Commission Pakistan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad was also played at the ceremony. The opening ceremony kicked off with a welcome note and a brief presentation by Director CERAD, Prof. Dr. Waqar Mahmood.
On the occasion, Director CERAD, Dr. Waqar Mahmood briefed about the purpose of the conference. According to him these type of conferences plays an important role in the improvement of energy storage systems in Pakistan and we can improve energy storage systems by using natural resources. Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Nadeem Ahmad Mufti expressed his determination to continue the efforts of UET to overcome the energy crisis in Pakistan. He said that “UET is quite active and working in the energy sector by collaborating with the Government on various successful projects and this conference is another giant initiative to spread awareness about the much-needed requirement of energy efficiency and conservation”.
91 research papers were submitted from various countries including Bangladesh, Russia, Italy, Japan, India, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Pakistan; 26 top quality papers were accepted by the Technical Evaluation Committee qualifying the merit-based criteria. Speakers were invited from prestigious universities of Pakistan and other countries like Australia, Malaysia, United States, China, and Saudi Arabia to deliver talks in the areas of Renewable Energy, Smart Grid, Energy Conservation, Artificial Intelligence in Energy Conservation, Energy Artificial Intelligence, Energy Conservation Resource Management, etc. A panel discussion was also held as a module of the conference themed “Industrial Academia Linkages in Energy Sector” moderated by Mr. Muhammad Ali. The distinguished panel comprised Dr. Muhammad Asim, Dr. Ehsan ul Haq, Dr. Muhammad Farooq, Mr. Irfan Aslam, and Mr. Faheem Ashraf.
An exposition was also organized where products from different research labs of CERAD and industries including Huawei, Solar Tech, Butterfly LED Lights, Fobros Technologies, Supreme Solsun Energy (Pvt). Ltd., and RADA Technologies were displayed. A students-based poster and project competition with prize money up to Rs. 100,000 was also organized where students from various institutes of the country participated.
The closing ceremony of the conference took place on the second day. Vice Chancellor UET, Prof. Dr. Nadeem Ahmad Mufti, Managing Director, Punjab Energy Efficiency Conservation Agency (PEECA), Mr. Abdul Rehman, Vice Chairman, Pakistan Solar Association, Mr. Faheem Ashraf, Mr. Arif Mansoor Qaisarani, Head PMU Energy Department graced the closing ceremony with their presence. Director CERAD, Dr. Waqar briefly described the 2-day event along with the recommendations made at the panel discussion. Vice Chancellor UET, Prof. Dr. Nadeem Ahmad Mufti praised Dr. Waqar and his team for conducting the 6th in its series conference successfully. He said “Considering the country energy situation, we must use our energy resources wisely, now it is time to seriously consider energy efficiency and conservation, which is undoubtedly one of the most powerful and cost-effective solutions being implemented throughout the world”. The conference ended up with the certificate distribution to the participants and organizers. The winners of the students’ competitions were also announced and given prizes.
