Early this year, the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) announced that the WTC 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was physically cancelled. The event has been replaced by a virtual event.

The first few days were be taken up by ‘pre-events’ including ITACET training courses and the 1st Symposium of Young Tunnellers of Asia (SYTA). WTC 2020 kicked start with opening speeches on Sept. 14 by WTC 2020 Organising Chairman, Ir. Dr Teik Aun Ooi, IEM President Ir. Ong Ching Loon plus ITA President, Prof. Jenny Yan.

Themed “Innovation and Sustainable Underground Serving Global Connectivity,” the annual ITA-AITES congress attracted 1,000 attendies  from 54 countries, featured up to 262 technical presentations and more than  80 exhibitors showcasing the latest in tunneling trends.

A Landmark Lecture was given by Professor Charles W. W. Ng, Chair Professor of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and also President of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.  His talk on tunnel-to-tunnel and tunnel-to-pile foundation interactions is bound was really appreciated by attendees.

There will also be interactive sessions throughout as participants will get to pose their questions and engage with speakers and presenters. Finally, WTC2020  also featured two general assemblies: the ITA young members (ITAym) General Assembly and 46th ITA General Assembly.