Speakers at the 1st International Conference on Wireless Sensor Networks for Developing Countries (WSN4DC’13) have stressed that wireless underwater acoustic communication system had become one of the most promising technologies for the development and deployment of future ocean observation and sensor networks. The conference which took place from 24-26 April 2013, was jointly organized by Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan, Eras
mus Mundus Strong-Ties (Strengthening Training and Research thrOugh Networking and Globalization of Teaching In Engineering Studies) program and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
According to the organisers, “WSN4DC conference was aimed to bring together a wide spectrum of international experts to facilitate a creative environment for the promotion of collaboration and knowledge transfer under the domain of WSN usage for Developing Countries (DC). In particular it facilitated a dialogue between major industry players, entrepreneurs and academia to help create a road-map for the development of tangible research environment in the developing countries. It has become an international forum for researchers to exchange information regarding novel aspects of technology, application and service development within the WSN domain.”
Prof Javier Poncela from University of Malaga Spain gave key note presentation on Wireless underwater acoustic communication system which has become one of the most promising technologies for the development and deployment of future ocean observation and sensor networks. Applications range from oil prospecting and transportation to aquaculture, and include pollution control, climate recording, prediction of natural disturbances, search and survey missions, etc.
MUET Pro-vice-chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Aslam Uqaili said that it was the first of its kind of conferences organised by MUET in collaboration with International Islamic University, Malaysia, Erasmus Mundus Strongties programme, Springer CCIS, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Science Foundation, National ICT R&D Fund Pakistan and Pakistan Science Foundation.
The conference is aimed at providing opportunities to national and international researchers and practitioners to present the most recent advancements and future challenges in the fields of computer and software engineering, electronics, telecommunication, Green ICT, energy management and simulation.
The chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation and Economic Cooperation Organisation-Science Foundation, Prof Dr Manzoor H. Soomro, said that with the emergence of electronics and nanotechnology, the pervasive and ubiquitous environments were becoming a reality.
“We have seen a lot of wireless sensor network advancements during recent past in military domain
The world is now well aware of the power of WSN and its applications in agriculture, roads and traffic monitoring, body health area monitoring, water conservation, smart buildings, energy management and smart grid,” he said.
The conference which was sponsored by HEC, ICT R&D and PSF, brought a large attendance from researchers, telecom industry professionals, faculty members and students.