Dhaka: The closing ceremony and technical session of the 15th Asian Regional Conference (ARC-15) of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) was held at Jahangirnagar University (JU) today. The event marked the culmination of a series of conference sessions that initially took place in Kathmandu, Nepal, from November 27 to 29.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the day-long concluding ceremony, organized by the IAEG Bangladesh National Group (IBNG), took place at JU's Zahir Raihan Auditorium (Seminar Room). JU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan graced the occasion as the chief guest, while IAEG Bangladesh Group Convener Prof. Dr. A.T.M. Shakhawat Hossain presided over the event.
The ceremony was attended by JU Pro-VC (Academic) Prof. Dr. M. Mahfuzur Rahman, Treasurer Prof. Dr. M. AbdurRab, Director General (Additional Charge) of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh Md. Abdul Mannan, and IBNG Treasurer and Chairman of JU's Geological Sciences Department Prof. Dr. Hossain Md. Sayem. UGC Chairman Prof. Dr. S.M.A. Faiz congratulated the organizers for the successful completion of the regional conference. Additionally, IAEG Bangladesh National Group Secretary General Dr. Mohammad Feruj Alam and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Md. Sabet Ali addressed the program.
The event also saw participation from members of the Young Engineering Geology Forum, students from JU's Geological Sciences Department, researchers, and experts from different universities. Following the closing session, experts delivered presentations on topics such as climate change impacts, landslides, earthquakes, and other natural hazards impacting Bangladesh.
The ARC-15 was initially planned to be hosted in Bangladesh. However, due to security concerns following last year's July Uprising movement, the venue was shifted to Nepal, where the main conference was successfully conducted from November 27 to 29.