Global Tech Leaders Converge in Kota Kinabalu for IEEE TENCON 2025

Liew (second from left) receiving a TENCON 2025 promotional bag from Lim, witnessed by Noredah, Dr Ismail, and Dr Teo.

1 September 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will host the prestigious international flagship technical conference of IEEE Region 10 (Asia-Pacific), known as IEEE TENCON 2025, from 25 to 27 October at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).

IEEE – the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (pronounced Eye-Triple-E) – is the world’s largest technical professional organisation dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

With more than 486,000 members across over 190 countries – two-thirds of them outside the United States – IEEE brings together engineers, scientists, and allied professionals whose expertise spans electrical and computer sciences, engineering, and related disciplines. Each year, IEEE sponsors over 2,000 conferences and events worldwide, shaping the frontiers of technological innovation.

Carrying the theme “Unleashing Innovation: Elevating Technologies to New Horizons”, TENCON 2025 is being organised by the IEEE Malaysia Section in collaboration with the IEEE Sabah Sub-Section, the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB), SICC, and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew welcomed the decision to host the conference in Sabah, congratulating IEEE Malaysia Section on securing the bid.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for first-time visitors to discover The Land Below the Wind, with its wealth of attractions, from Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to our marine parks, islands and world-renowned diving spots.

“For those seeking authentic rural experiences, community-based tourism homestays outside Kota Kinabalu offer a true taste of village life. Sandakan, meanwhile, is a gateway to Sabah’s ecotourism and iconic wildlife, making it a must-visit for nature lovers,” she said after receiving a courtesy call from an IEEE Malaysia Section and Sabah Sub-Section delegation led by Section Chairman Bernard Lim.

Also present were IEEE Sabah Sub-Section Chairman, Associate Professor Ts Dr Kenneth Teo Tze Kin of UMS, and Associate Professor Ts Dr Ismail Saad.

Liew encouraged technology enthusiasts in Sabah to participate, noting that the conference would serve as a platform to exchange ideas, showcase achievements, and highlight advances in electrical engineering, electronics, computer engineering, and information technology.

She assured organisers that the Sabah Convention Bureau, an agency under her Ministry, would provide full support to ensure smooth preparations.

SCB Chief Executive Officer, Noredah Othman, said the Bureau was first introduced to IEEE during the organisation’s 35th Malaysia Section AGM in January 2025.

“That was when we learnt that IEEE is the world’s largest global association with half a million members across diverse disciplines. In Malaysia alone, there are around 3,000 members. SCB will support TENCON 2025 by offering advisory services and showcasing Sabah’s cultural heritage, including a gala dinner for delegates,” she said.

Lim, who is based in Penang, said the conference would bring together a wide spectrum of participants, researchers, educators, students, practitioners, technologists, policymakers, and representatives from academia, government, industry, and NGOs.

“It will feature keynote speeches and invited talks by distinguished speakers who will share insights on emerging trends and cutting-edge innovations. We expect to attract over 500 international delegates, alongside local and domestic participants. More than 200 university and school students will also be invited.

“In addition to technical sessions, panel discussions, and research exhibits, the programme will feature the Innovation Challenge Grand Finale, Energy Forum, Entrepreneurship Programme, Leadership Forum, educational activities, and humanitarian initiatives,” he said.