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• Not in any hierarchical order

It is a real pleasure for me to write this message at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the South-East Asian Geotechnical Society (SEAGS). 50 years already… It might not look as a long period of time, but as far as geotechnical engineering is concerned, we know the tremendous progress achieved during that period. And it is obvious for me that the SEAGS played a very important role in this progress. This is due to the expertise and talent of numerous colleagues in the region, often facing difficult ground conditions. They also wished, of course, to participate in the economic development of the region, which has been in several aspects a model for the whole planet.

Dr Za Chieh Moh founded the SEAGS in 1967, fulfilling a need for the geotechnical engineers to get organised in the region.  It is remarkable to note, in particular, that this proved to be an efficient incubator for the creation of a number of ISSMGE Member Societies in the region, the Hong Kong, the Malaysian, the Indonesian, the Singapore, the Chinese Taipei, the Thailand & the Vietnam Geotechnical Societies. Dr Za Chieh Moh also founded the Association of Geotechnical Societies in South-East Asia (AGSSEA) which includes these 7 Members Societies. The very tight collaboration between the SEAGS and the AGSSEA is a model example of regional co-operation. There are several strong activities performed in common, such as the large sub-regional conferences and the publication of the SEAGS-AGSSEA Journal. This Journal has published over the years many captivating issues and articles of international standing. I am happy to note that all the papers published from 1970 to 2013 are available free of charge, thus contributing efficiently to the open access policy of the ISSMGE. As far as membership is concerned, my underst0anding is that the SEAGS also irrigated outside the South-East region, and is still acting in this manner. This is another proof of the key role it plays in the international collaboration.

I visited for the first time the region in 1972. It was the ‘voyage de promotion’ (‘diploma year trip’) of my school of engineering. My first professional trip was in 1983 invited by Professors Balasubramanian and Bergado to participate in the well-organized series of Conferences by AIT. I returned in the region many times, in most of the countries, always with great happiness and joy.
My deepest thanks go to the organisers of this event, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the SEAGS, for giving me another occasion to meet my many colleagues and friends in the region. It will be a true pleasure for me. I wish the best success for this event. I have no doubt about it!

This event will be followed immediately after by the most promising 19th ICSMGE in Seoul. I am looking forward very much to attending it and to meeting you also there! We also have to note that the next Asian Regional Conference will be held in Taiwan, confirming the high level of expertise in the South-East Asia region. The ISSMGE is proud to have such members!

Roger Frank
ISSMGE President (2013-2017)

Ikuo Towhata, Asian VP of ISSMGE

Dear SEAGS colleagues,

Hearing that SEAGS celebrates its 50-year anniversary, it is my great pleasure to send this message in order to appreciate and congratulate the effort and enthusiasm of the member people, both in the past and at present.

Everybody knows that the greatest contribution and achievement of SEAGS is its function as an incubator. Many good member societies were born from SEAGS in the past and other countries in South East Asia are also now proud of the high level of societal activities. To this marvelous achievement, the International Society owes profoundly.

At this opportunity, I would like to call upon your attention to the Philippines which is certainly a part of the Southeast Asia. Although this country is an active country with very good engineers as I experienced in the past, Philippine Geotechnical Society is not yet born. I made efforts in the past to promote a society in this country, results were not very good. However, there are ambitious young generation nowadays who are doing efforts to achieve this long-term goal. I am very happy to assist their efforts but would like SEAGS to play major roles as well. If SEAGS can send good lecturers and other supports to attract people’s more concern to international societal activities, SEAGS will be more renowned.

Another issue is the future possibility of geotechnical engineering in Southeast Asia. Our profession is one of the engineerings that are most affected by nature. Because nature changes from place to place, different regions have different approaches to achieve goals. In Southeast Asia, the problem of “thick” soft soil is significantly more difficult than that in Europe or New England where the conventional framework of soil mechanics was built. Under more severe natural conditions in Southeast Asia, there should be more advanced version of expertise. Similar points can be made also of the problem of heavy rain, flood control, volcanic slopes, earthquakes and very quick development of mega cities. I am really concerned with the growth of big cities in the entire Asia. Many governments are now very hard to develop necessary infrastructures in order to keep up with the population growth. What may be missing is the preparedness for deterioration of built structures that would occur within a few decades as, for example, USA experienced in 1970’s. Tunnel is a typical example of a vulnerable structure.

I would state that you, the SEAGS colleagues, are in the front line of future construction technology and business. You are very fortunate to be able to work on the new-generation issues. I wish you not to miss this opportunity and make substantial contributions to the welfare and happiness of the community of the entire world. I do not limit my remark to Southeast Asia.

Yours sincerely

Ikuo Towhata
SEAGS member since 1980s

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GROUND IMPROVEMENT AND GROUND CONTROL

Wollongong University hosted the International Conference on Ground Improvement and Ground Control from 30th October to 2nd November 2012. Showcasing ground improvement concepts and applications in the fields of transport infrastructure and natural hazards mitigation, the conference acted as a platform to disseminate the most recent research and field advances to the global geotechnical community. Over 300 participants from 30 countries took part. Outstanding Keynote lectures, State of Art presentations, Heritage lectures and numerous technical discussions were delivered during the three days of scientific and technical discourse elucidating a comprehensive coverage of the current State-of-the-Art in Ground Improvement from theory to practice. The technical program was complimented with excursions encompassing reclaimed land at Port Kembla designed by the University of Wollongong’s geotechnical group and landslide hazards mitigation works at the Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge.

During the closing ceremony, University of Wollongong’s Professor Buddhima Indraratna, was awarded the prestigious Medal of the Eurasian National University for his contributions to ground improvement and transport geotechnology making a significant international impact. The medal has previously been awarded to a wide cross-section of the professional community, artists, political and religious leaders. Professor Indraratna is the second civil engineer to receive this award which was presented by Professor Askar Zhussupbekov, a senior representative of the Eurasian National University and current Vice-President for ASIA of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. >> Read more

Highlights of the events

Opening Ceremony