ICEE 2026 OFFICIALLY OPENS IN KUCHING, BRINGING GLOBAL EXPERTISE IN ENVIROMENTAL ERGONOMICS
KUCHING, 17 August 2026 – The 21st International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics (ICEE 2026) was officially opened today at the Kuching Waterfront Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, bringing together researchers, academics, practitioners and experts from around the world to exchange knowledge, share research findings and strengthen international collaboration in environmental ergonomics.
Held from 17 to 21 August 2026, ICEE 2026 provides an international platform for interdisciplinary discussions on human responses to environmental conditions, particularly amid rising temperatures, climate change and increasingly challenging environmental conditions.
The conference has attracted 425 registered participants from 93 organisations across 25 countries, reflecting strong international interest in environmental ergonomics and the growing importance of research on the relationship between environmental conditions, human health and human performance.
The international participation includes delegates from Japan, Singapore, China, Australia, South Korea, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Greece, India, Switzerland, Sweden, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the diverse global representation at ICEE 2026.
The conference also highlights the contribution of the Department of Community Health, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), reflecting the interdisciplinary relevance of environmental ergonomics to community health, population health, occupational health and preventive health.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The Opening Ceremony commenced at 11.00 a.m. and was attended by distinguished guests, conference delegates, as well as representatives from Universiti Sains Malaysia and the Sarawak state government.
The ceremony was officiated by YB Datuk Dr. Haji Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak.
Also in attendance was YBhg. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bakiah Shaharudin, Director of Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (PKTAAB), Universiti Sains Malaysia, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The ceremony began with the singing of Negaraku, followed by Ibu Pertiwiku, reflecting Malaysia’s national identity and the cultural identity of Sarawak.
The programme continued with a vibrant Sarawak Cultural Performance, providing international delegates with an opportunity to experience and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the host state.
This was followed by a Doa Recitation before the programme proceeded with an address by YBrs. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Munir Che Muhamed, Conference Chairman of ICEE 2026.
In his address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Munir welcomed delegates to Kuching and highlighted the importance of ICEE as a platform for researchers, academics and professionals from different countries and disciplines to exchange knowledge, share scientific discoveries and establish meaningful collaborations.
The programme then continued with a speech by YBhg. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bakiah Shaharudin, representing the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
In her address, she highlighted the University’s commitment to advancing impactful research, strengthening international partnerships and contributing to scientific and evidence-based solutions to emerging challenges affecting human health, safety and performance.
The Opening Ceremony proceeded with the Officiating Speech by YB Datuk Dr. Haji Hazland Abang Hipni, who officially opened ICEE 2026.
ICEE 2026 Montage Showcases the Spirit of Global Collaboration One of the highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the specially produced ICEE 2026 Montage Video.
The montage captured the vision and spirit of ICEE 2026, highlighting environmental challenges, scientific discovery, human performance and international collaboration as interconnected elements in the pursuit of knowledge and solutions for a changing world.
The visual presentation also reflected the conference’s emphasis on bringing together researchers and experts from diverse backgrounds to address environmental challenges that increasingly affect human health and performance.
The ceremony continued with a Souvenir Presentation, followed by a Photography Session, providing an opportunity for distinguished guests, organisers and delegates to commemorate the official opening of the international conference.
Scientific Programme Focuses on a Warming World
Following the Opening Ceremony, delegates proceeded to Symposium 1: “Thermal Physiology in Our Warming World”, marking the continuation of the scientific programme on the first day of ICEE 2026.
The first day also features scientific sessions on Environmental Stress and Health-Related Outcomes, Heat Acclimation & Human Performance, and Clothing & Human-Environment Interaction, together with plenary presentations examining heat, health and factors influencing heat adaptation.
The broader five-day programme covers a wide range of contemporary topics, including heat stress and human performance, occupational health and climate action, nutrition and hydration in challenging environments, thermal comfort, ageing populations in extreme environments, sex-specific responses to heat stress, climate change resilience, human responses to space and water environments, and cold-environment physiology.
The scientific programme reflects the increasingly important role of environmental ergonomics in understanding how environmental conditions influence human physiology, health, comfort, safety and performance.
Strengthening International Research Collaboration
With 425 registered participants representing 25 countries and 93 organisations, ICEE 2026 provides an important platform for strengthening international research networks and fostering collaboration across disciplines.
The involvement of the Department of Community Health further highlights the relevance of environmental ergonomics to population and community health, particularly in addressing the effects of climate change and environmental stressors on different communities and vulnerable populations.
The conference also provides an opportunity for Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, to showcase its capacity to host major international scientific and academic events while offering delegates an experience of the state’s distinctive cultural and natural heritage.
Beyond scientific presentations, the programme includes activities designed to promote interaction and cultural exchange among delegates, including visits to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Borneo Cultures Museum, a conference dinner and a 5 km fun run.
As environmental challenges continue to intensify globally, ICEE 2026 provides a timely platform for researchers and practitioners to discuss evidence-based approaches to protecting human health and optimising performance under challenging environmental conditions.
The conference will continue until 21 August 2026, concluding with the Closing Ceremony following the final scientific sessions. ICEE 2026 marks an important milestone in strengthening international collaboration in environmental ergonomics and reinforces the importance of interdisciplinary research, innovation and knowledge exchange in preparing society for the environmental challenges of the future.
Prepared by:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hazwani Ahmad Yusof @ Hanafi
Validated by:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Munir Che Muhamed
Conference Chairman
21st International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics (ICEE 2026)