PFOI 2024: Pioneering Innovation and Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

From November 27th to the 29th, 2024, the Putrajaya International Convention Centre hosted the Putrajaya Festival of Ideas (PFOI). This esteemed event, which the Ministry of Higher Education organises, provides a vibrant forum for exchanging ideas, highlighting innovative breakthroughs and encouraging cooperation among academics, business moguls, and government officials. Malaysia, with its aspiration to be a centre for creative solutions and forward-thinking ideas, is taking a significant step towards this goal by showcasing how creativity, technology, and policy all come together at PFOI 2024. This event is a testament to Malaysia's growing role in global innovation.

Purpose of PFOI 2024

The goal of PFOI 2024 is to promote game-changing ideas and technologies in a wide range of fields. By bringing together representatives from academia, business, and government, the event hopes to inspire more cooperation in the face of pressing modern problems through R&D. This exemplifies Malaysia's commitment to staying abreast of technological developments worldwide.

Highlights of the PFOI 2024

At PFOI 2024, a diverse range of events and initiatives will be available at the festival to help people learn, have fun, and meet new people. Innovative research and technical developments will be displayed at these exhibitions, together with the possible societal effects of these developments. The festival's goals was debated in keynote speeches and panels moderated by prominent professionals. Participation in the workshops and networking events allowed attendees to meet one another, share ideas, and form lasting relationships. Cultural and artistic acts will also bring a special touch to the festival by honouring the integration of creativity and innovation.

Displays: New Ideas on Show

The exhibitions at PFOI 2024 showcased innovative initiatives that use cutting-edge technology; these undoubtedly was the highlight of the event. Some examples of these advancements from University Malaya are:  Dr. Wong Wei Ru and her teammates created the Automated Palm Oil Harvesting Machine, a robotic system armed with artificial intelligence technologies like LiDAR and YOLOv8. It promotes sustainable agriculture practices while automatically finding and harvesting Fresh Fruit Bundles (FFBs), increasing the productivity of manual labour.

Developed by Professor Ir. Dr Fatimah Ibrahim's Smart Wearable Equipment for Monitoring Rehabilitation from Low Back Pain combines wearable electromyography (EMG) equipment with a mobile app. The device improves rehabilitation results by using real-time EMG readings and sophisticated algorithms to guarantee precise evaluations of muscle performance.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nur Azah Hamzaid and her team created the Wheelchair Seating Training technology (WSET), an innovative sensor-based technology that helps people with spinal cord injuries with pressure relief. Thanks to this system's AI-driven applications, wheelchair users have a higher quality of life. These applications aid in the prevention of pressure ulcers and encourage appropriate seating patterns.

Implications for Strategy of PFOI 2024

Beyond being an event in and of itself, PFOI 2024 symbolises a movement to encourage creativity and teamwork.  It highlights Malaysia's preparedness to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution by highlighting projects integrating sustainable practices, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI).

It is believed that the festival inspired new financing opportunities and legislative measures to strengthen R&D. This potential for growth and development, in addition to establishing Malaysia as an innovator on a worldwide scale, is an exciting prospect. Also, PFOI 2024 has given young innovators a leg up by giving them a stage to showcase their ideas to an international audience, which encouraged them to keep thinking outside the box.

Summarily, the 2024 Putrajaya Festival of Ideas displayed an intersection of creativity, technology, and knowledge. The festival promotes sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future visions in Malaysia by encouraging discourse and cooperation to tackle urgent global issues. With its wide range of events and creative initiatives, PFOI 2024 is poised to ignite revolutionary change. Malaysia is a worldwide leader in innovation.

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Author:

Ms Tan Wei Nie 

With a keen interest, Tan Wei Nie, a PhD candidate in law, enriches her studies by fusing science with narrative, uncovering connections between the two fields. Her passion for nature and staying active fuels her enthusiasm for life and learning, infusing her journey with unexpected thrills and excitement.

Copyedit:

Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM