Encouraged by the success of the first International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (ICMAT2001) held in July 2001, the Materials Research Society (Singapore) has now taken up the organisation of ICMAT2003 as part of a continuing series of bi-annual conference. It is combined with the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS)-sponsored International Conference in Asia (ICA 2003).

The Organizing Committee for the Conference worked hard for more than a year and half and has drawn up an excellent technical and scientific program. The recent outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Singapore and several other countries in the region has derailed these meticulous plans. Consequently, the Conference was postponed, and this inconvenience is very much regretted. However, the delay of almost six months has allowed ample time for all SARS affected countries to contain the disease. Singapore was removed from the list of SARS risk-free on May 31 by the World Health Organization (WHO), and most other Asian countries were declared free of local transmission in June. It is anticipated that December 2003 will see the situation normalised and this will be an excellent time for people from all over the world to attend the Conference.

16 Symposia covering the following frontier areas in materials science and technology will be held: Biomaterials, Polymers, Catalysis, Crystal Engineering, Ceramics, Electromagnetics, Microelectromechanical systems, Semiconductors, Synchrotron radiation, Modeling, and Nanomaterials. In addition to 9 Plenary talks, to be delivered by distinguished scientists in specialised areas, there will be Keynote, Invited, Oral and Poster presentations in each Symposium.

Nobel Laureates Klaus von Klitzing and Harry W. Kroto graciously agreed to give Plenary lectures and also Public lectures for the benefit of general public including college students. An exhibition of the equipment and products by companies will also be held.

The combined efforts of a number of colleagues, sponsors and exhibitors will make ICMAT2003 an exciting multidisciplinary forum providing a valuable platform for research scientists and engineers to learn first-hand of new directions in materials research and technology, as well as share and exchange ideas with some of the best minds in the field. It will be a forum where 1600 - 1800 delegates from all over the world will meet and deliberate.

Student participation is encouraged through the offer of accommodation in the University dormitories at a nominal cost and also a special reduced registration fee. Selected participants from developing countries will be provided with financial assistance on a need basis. The world-class conference facilities and other major attractions in Singapore will make the conference participation an enjoyable and fruitful experience.