By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Southern Branch ushered in a night of celebration, recognition, and fellowship at its Annual Dinner and Awards Night 2025, held at Restaurant Daiman 18 in Johor Jaya.

The prestigious gathering brought together engineers, academics, industry leaders, and guests in an evening that highlighted the branch’s commitment to advancing the profession while honouring the individuals and institutions that have contributed to its growth.

The atmosphere was set with a lively performance by a three-piece band whose repertoire of classics and contemporary tunes immediately captivated the audience, creating a warm and vibrant mood for the evening ahead.

Beyond the music and camaraderie, the dinner served as a meaningful platform to showcase excellence, with awards presented to distinguished engineering lecturers for their contributions to IEM and to long-serving members whose dedication has shaped the branch’s legacy over the years.

Adding an industry dimension to the evening, several leading companies set up exhibition booths to highlight technological advancements and services that continue to drive Malaysia’s engineering landscape.

This blend of recognition and industry showcase underscored IEM’s role not only as a professional body but also as a vital bridge between education, practice, and industrial growth.

The event was further elevated by the presence of Hilmy Hussain, Chief Co-ordinator of the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC), who represented the Johor Menteri Besar.

In addition, guests were addressed by IEM Southern Branch Chairman Ir. David Puen Ming Shen and IEM President Ir. Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin, both of whom underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and resilience in propelling the engineering profession into the future.

Branch Chairman Ir. David Puen Ming Shen highlighted this year’s theme, “Empowering Engineers of Tomorrow”, stressing that education is the great equaliser and the pipeline for the nation’s next generation of engineers.

“In line with the government’s RM100 million STEM education initiative, we believe nurturing future engineers is vital to Malaysia’s progress,” he said in his address.

The dinner also honoured engineering lecturers from UTM, UiTM, SUC and UTHM for their contributions to the profession and to IEM Southern Branch.

Puen noted that education must be complemented by industry exposure and technical knowledge. To this end, IEM Southern Branch continues to organise seminars, technical talks and industrial interactions, including an upcoming seismic seminar in response to concerns raised by the recent Segamat earthquake.

“With Johor’s rapid development, engineers will play a crucial role not only in solving technical challenges but also in safeguarding public safety,” he added.

Puen closed by expressing appreciation to the organising committee led by Ir. Jason Lim, and invited members and guests to enjoy the evening of fellowship and networking.

The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) President, Ir. Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin, praised the IEM Southern Branch for its remarkable growth as the second-largest branch with over 4,000 members, despite being run by just ten committee members and two staff.

Speaking at the IEM Southern Branch Dinner and Awards Night 2025, Prof. Chiang highlighted the branch’s role in strengthening IEM’s national presence, with members extending even to Singapore.

He commended the committee’s tireless efforts in organizing the event and called for closer collaboration between IEM Headquarters and its 12 branches to empower them with resources and support.

“Our focus is shifting from what HQ can deliver to how we can enable each Branch to achieve even greater impact,” he said, noting that membership expansion remains a key priority across all levels of IEM.

Prof. Chiang also announced IEM’s global recognition as an authorised member of the International Engineering Technologists Agreement (IETA) and the Agreement for International Engineering Technicians (AIET), a milestone that enhances professional mobility under the Dublin and Sydney Accords.

Reaffirming his commitment to sustainability, he pointed to his 2025 presidential theme, “ESG: Engineering for a Greener Tomorrow,” stressing the importance of renewable energy, climate adaptation, and environmental stewardship.

“IEM must continue to be a strong and influential voice for the engineering community, advocating ethical standards, technical expertise, and sustainable development,” he stressed.

Prof. Chiang also thanked the Johor State Government, local authorities, and professional bodies for their continued support, while expressing confidence in the Southern Branch’s ability to rise to future challenges.

Meanwhile, organising chairman Ir. Jason Lim Wuh Terng welcomed members and guests to the Annual Dinner. He emphasized that engineers play a pivotal role in driving innovation, sustainability, and progress amid global challenges such as technology shifts, climate change, and social equity.

“Education is the cornerstone in building the engineers of tomorrow,” he asserted, underscoring the need for not only technical expertise but also soft skills, integrity, and creativity.

Lim added that IEM carries the responsibility to champion high standards in education and professional development while inspiring and nurturing the next generation of engineers.

He called on members to foster continuous learning, encourage innovation, and uphold the values of the profession to ensure engineers remain at the forefront of shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.

The IEM Southern Branch Annual Dinner and Awards Night 2025 not only celebrated achievements but also reaffirmed the engineering fraternity’s pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s future.

With its blend of recognition, knowledge-sharing, and industry engagement, the evening stood as a testament to IEM’s commitment to empowering engineers of tomorrow—anchored on innovation, education, and sustainability—while strengthening its legacy as a bridge between academia, industry, and society.