SRINAGAR: The five-day workshop on “Advancements in Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering for Difficult Ground Conditions 2023” has commenced at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar.
Professor Sudhakar Yedla, Director of NIT Srinagar, is the Chief Patron of the workshop, and the inaugural session was presided over by Professor M.F. Wani, Dean R&C, with Professor Syed Kaiser Bukhari, the Institute’s Registrar, as the Special Guest.
The event saw the participation of many guests, including Dr Anil Joseph, President, IGS, New Delhi; Professor Barkat Hussain, Chairman, IGS Srinagar; and Professor F. A. Mir, Vice Chairman, IGS Srinagar.
Professor A Q Dar, Head, CED, NIT Srinagar, is the Chairman, and Professor B. A. Mir IGS Srinagar is the convenor of the workshop. Dr Rajesh P Shukla, Dr Majid Hussain, Dr Ritesh S Ingale, and Dr Falak Zahoor are the coordinators of the five-day event.
The workshop has attracted more than 60 participants, including post-graduate scholars, engineers, and faculty members from all over India.
In his keynote address, Professor M.F. Wani, Dean R&C, highlighted the significance of Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering in addressing the challenges posed by varying ground conditions during construction projects. He emphasised that the success of any structure heavily relies on the ability to adapt to and overcome these conditions.
Registrar NIT Srinagar, Professor Kaiser Bukhari, mentioned the tremendous strides made in the field of geotechnical and foundation engineering to overcome difficult ground conditions. He cited examples of various projects being constructed on marshy lands in Kashmir, which faced delays and cost escalations.
He also appreciated the efforts of NIT Srinagar in developing state-of-the-art facilities for research and assured the continuation of such endeavors.
Dr Anil Joseph, President, IGS, New Delhi, praised the Civil Engineering Department for organising the workshop on short notice at NIT Srinagar. He expressed the vision of IGS to grow bigger and increase the number of chapters in the country, seeking support from the participants.
Dr Joseph emphasised the vital role of geotechnical engineering in the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects, ensuring their stability, safety, and longevity. He also highlighted how geotechnical engineering enhances the resilience of communities by designing infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters and extreme weather events, reducing their impact on people and property.
Dr Anil Joseph pledged full support from IGS, New Delhi for the IGS Srinagar Chapter activities at NIT Srinagar and appreciated the efforts in organizing the workshop.
Professor A Q Dar, Head, CED, NIT Srinagar, stated that the workshop aims to provide numerous benefits to participants, ranging from enhancing technical knowledge to fostering professional growth and networking opportunities.
Professor F. A. Mir, Vice Chairman, IGS Srinagar, stressed the importance of such workshops in addressing challenges and problem-solving in the field of geotechnical engineering. He commended the initiative of Professor B.A. Mir in organizing the workshop.
Earlier, Professor B.A. Mir, in his inaugural address, emphasised that the workshop offers multiple benefits that contribute to personal and professional growth. He highlighted that attending such workshops can significantly impact the careers of geotechnical engineers and related professionals, providing technical knowledge enhancement, networking opportunities, and exposure to industry trends.
