NEWS
The 4th Smart Cities Forum Kicks off in Collaboration with the British Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).. The President of the University of Bahrain Stresses the Importance of Spreading Awareness about the Prospects of Smart Cities .. Many Cities around the World are Transforming into Smart Cities
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Ali Al-Sabbagh and Khadija Abdul Salam)
November 22, 2021
The President of the University of Bahrain, Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al Mudhahki, stressed the importance of seeking to spread awareness among the future generation of researchers about the prospects of smart cities, calling for conducting collaborative research in the field of projects and research of smart cities.
Dr. Al Mudhahki made this statement in her speech during the opening of the 4th Smart Cities Forum today, Sunday November 21, 2021, organized by the University of Bahrain over a period of three days in collaboration with the British Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Dr. Al Mudhahki stated “Smart cities depend on employing smart technologies and data as a means of overcoming challenges of sustainability of cities and improving the quality of life. Therefore, many cities are transforming to smart cities.”
She continued, “This can be achieved by using data and technology to improve a number of sectors, including transportation, energy, health, education, governance, services, and this will ultimately act as an engine for economic growth.”
The President of the University indicated that the main aim of this forum is to create a platform to bring together researchers in the field of smart cities, promoters and decision makers to discuss and exchange ideas, and do collaborative research and development projects in this field.
The forum will discuss 121 scientific papers, 8 of which by keynote speakers, on several topics, including the needs of smart cities, new technologies therein, interactive architecture, smart urban planning and design solutions, technology supporting homes and interiors, capabilities of robots in smart cities, infrastructure in smart cities, Internet of things and smart applications, cybersecurity, smart homes, smart hospitals, smart campuses, and cloud computing applications for smart cities.
For his part, the Dean of the College of Engineering at the university, Dr. Fouad Mohammad Al-Ansari, expressed his happiness that the College continues to organize the forum, in collaboration with the British Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which is the oldest professional organization in the world. He pointed out the distinguished scientific impact of the forum, given that index research issued by it is constantly increasing.
Dr. Al-Ansari indicated that the topic of smart cities is manifold and deserves to have a devoted annual discussion platform such as the Smart Cities Forum, hoping that this scientific meeting will pave the way for solid collaborative research.
The President of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Professor of Mechatronics, Dr. Prakash Persad, presented a scientific paper on “Smart Cities Challenges: The Role of Robots”, in which he stated that rapid urbanization will lead to an increase in the population of smart cities, which would require more focus on the safety and security of individuals.
Dr. Persad elaborated on the challenges posed in the application of robotics for security purposes in various sectors, including transportation and health, with a special focus on developing countries.
The second speaker, President of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) in Delhi, Republic of India, Professor Sukumar Mishra, talked in his paper about the challenges of the integration of renewable energy sources, and the use of the smart grid as a promising option for fortifying smart cities.
Professor Mishra pointed out that the smart grid is an electrical network with advanced technology, providing a variety of processes and energy measurement technologies, which are efficient, reliable, economical and sustainable, stressing that the smart grid generates many opportunities for the integration of renewable energy sources.
For his part, the Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems from Montreal, Canada, Dr. Khaled Eskaf, the third keynote speaker, reviewed “Intelligent Parking System for Smart Cities.”
Dr. Eskaf pointed out in a scientific paper that the creation of intelligent parking is possible, as the Internet of Things allows connecting, analyzing and automating data collected from devices. He stressed on the feasibility of using an intelligent parking solution through low-cost sensors that provide real-time data, and mobile applications that monitor the availability of parking lots.
On the first day of the forum, four parallel sessions were held on the internet of things and smart applications, cybersecurity, smart homes, smart hospitals, smart campuses, and cloud computing applications for smart cities.
