From the 22nd to the 30th of June 2025, three members from our lab attended two overseas conferences: the 41st International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) World Congress in Singapore from the 22nd to 27th, and the Korea-Japan-Malaysia Hydraulics 2025 Mini Symposium on the 28th. The members included of me, Ng Shu Kai (D1 postgrad student), Dr. Bobby Minola Ginting (postdoc researcher) and Prof. Tatsuhiko Uchida.

          This year’s IAHR Congress was held in EXPO, only a stop from Changi Airport by Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). During the congress, we got many opportunities to learn about other researchers’ work and interact with them. For me, I attended multiple presentations done by various researchers from different countries and research backgrounds and learned a lot from them. This year, there was a heavy focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). I presented my research on the numerical and experimental investigation of waves around detached breakwaters.

Dr. Bobby (left), Prof. Uchida (middle) and Ng Shu Kai (right) in front of the registration booth on the last day of the congress.

          We also got the opportunity to discuss our findings and potential collaborations with other researchers as well. During our down time, we got the opportunity to travel around the city a little. We visited iconic locations in Singapore such as the Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and the Merlion statue just to name a few. Local cuisine there was a nice refreshment for me as it was familiar with what I grew up with (being Malaysian and have visited Singapore many times in the past). Dr. Bobby and Prof Uchida also had enjoyed the local delicacies as well. Marina Bay Sands (left) and the Rain Vortex of Jewel Changi Airport (right).

Marina Bay Sands (left) and the Rain Vortex of Jewel Changi Airport (right).

          Immediately after the IAHR World Congress, we, along some Korean and Japanese researchers boarded a chartered bus from Singapore to Kampar, Perak in Malaysia to attend the Korea-Japan-Malaysia Hydraulics 2025 Mini Symposium held in my alma mater, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). The bus ride was an impressive 10-hour journey, but we made it to Kampar without a hitch (apart from being exhausted).

          The next day (28th), the symposium started from 10 in the morning and lasted until 7 in the evening. Many presentations were held, including from the three of us. We were also able to get feedback from other researchers present in the symposium and discussed enthusiastically. A celebration dinner was held in a nearby restaurant with all the participants and organizers of the symposium.

Ng Shu Kai’s presentation on the Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Wave and Sediment Transport Dynamics Around Detached Breakwaters.

Dr. Bobby’s presentation on the Higher-order Flux reconstruction for Modeling Non-hydrostatic Shallow Flow Through Emergent Vegetation.

Prof. Uchida’s presentation on the Fast and Accurate Three-dimensional Flood Flow Analysis Method – Combination of ACA and BVC.

Group photo of all the participants of the mini symposium after the closing ceremony.

          On the final day (29th), we went to Ipoh (neighboring town as well as my hometown) to catch our flight back to Singapore. Before our flight, we had Beansprout Chicken for lunch and went around the old town. I was very happy to be able to eat this dish again after being safely away from home for quite some time. We managed to arrive in Singapore to catch our flight back to Japan, which also went smoothly.

Beansprout Chicken (mesa 雞) and braised chicken feet, signature dishes in Ipoh, Malaysia.

          Overall, we had a very fruitful time in Singapore and Malaysia. We are very glad that we got this opportunity to both learn, connect and share during this trip. Finally, we would also like to thank the organizers of the Korea-Japan-Malaysia Hydraulics 2025 Mini Symposium, particularly Prof. Akihiko Nakayama for taking care of all the necessary arrangements that made the symposium a resounding success.