CWET (Centre for Water Engineering Technology), UniKL, is proud to have participated in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025), held from 20 to 24 May at the Maritime Zone of Resort World Langkawi.
As one of the few institutions specially invited to exhibit, CWET’s presence at this prestigious event affirms UniKL’s growing recognition as a key national player in the maritime and coastal engineering sectors.
LIMA 2025 provided a valuable platform for CWET to demonstrate its technological capabilities and research strength in both water and maritime engineering domains. Among the highlights was the exhibition of our autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (AUSV) and aerial vehicle (AUAV) technologies. These innovations are the result of strategic technology transfer initiatives and have been locally adapted to support a range of applications including environmental monitoring, bathymetric surveys, coastal surveillance, and disaster response operations.
CWET also introduced the use of optical laser diffraction technology — a technique not only pivotal in water-related applications, but increasingly vital in military and defense sectors. This technology enables precise particle size analysis in the formulation of high-performance paints and protective coatings used in naval vessels, aircraft, and other defense assets. In addition, CWET showcased its capability in X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology, a rapid and non-destructive technique that supports material verification, corrosion analysis, and alloy composition profiling – crucial for naval engineering, shipbuilding, and the maintenance of aerospace-grade materials.
Our participation extended beyond technical demonstrations. In collaboration with other UniKL entities — including the Centre for Advancement & Continuing Education (ACE), Asian Marine Design Centre (AMDec), the Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (MIMET), and UniKL Resources Sdn Bhd — we presented a comprehensive picture of UniKL’s integrated capabilities in maritime engineering. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about UniKL’s research infrastructure such as the wave tank facility at MIMET, and explore how academic and industry collaborations are shaping future marine technologies.
More importantly, CWET’s role at LIMA 2025 also reflected our commitment to public education and social responsibility. The exhibition drew thousands of visitors, including school groups, university students, and families. For many of the young attendees, it was a first-time exposure to advanced technologies and real-world engineering applications. By engaging directly with the public, CWET and UniKL contributed to raising awareness of environmental issues, promoting sustainability, and inspiring future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through interactive demonstrations and knowledge-sharing sessions, we aimed to spark curiosity and plant the seeds of innovation among the next generation.
In essence, CWET’s presence at LIMA 2025 not only showcased our technical prowess but also reaffirmed our relevance as an institution deeply aligned with national aspirations in maritime development, environmental protection, and STEM education. We look forward to further expanding our impact through research, collaboration, and community engagement in the years ahead.
This is a contributed article by Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi, Programme Coordinator at CWET.
