Message from Prof. Askar Zhussupbekov
Immediate Past Vice-President of ISSMGE for Asia
President of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Society Chair of TC305 (ISSMGE)
«Geotechnical Infrastructure for Megacities and New Capitals»
Let me bring your attention that the Southeastern Asian Geotechnical Society has conducted the great organizational work in helping the establishments of the Asian Geotechnical Societies for ISSMGE. It is a remarkable work done by Dr. Moh (CTGS) and Prof. Bala Balasubramaniam (SEAGS).
I was fortunate to participate in several SEAGS conferences, which showed a high level of organization and holding of such events in ISSMGE. Particularly surprised a large number of participants in conferences and exhibitions, the presence of sponsors who provide financial supports to the SEAGS conference.
As the Vice-President for Asia ISSMGE (2010-2013), I was able to assist at the opening of Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society (Taiwan, China) and the Malaysian Geotechnical Society. These societies have also been actively involved in SEAGS before entering into ISSMGE and now are continuing to be active geotechnical societies in the Asian region.
In 2010 and 2016 Taipei (Taiwan) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) respectively held the 17th and 19th Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conferences, in which I also participated with President of ISSMGE Prof. Jean-Louis Briaud (2010). Also particularly noteworthy the high activity of graduate Students, who conducted an accurate and organized registration, technical support of plenary and breakout sessions, technical exhibitions and technical tours.
Very good cooperation happened between CTGS and KGS because of close collaboration of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Astana, Kazakhstan) and Tamkang University (Taipei, Taiwan). In Taipei and Astana was held Kazakh-Taiwanese Geotechnical Seminar, which showed a high level of geotechnical qualification of scientists from Taiwan.
On 15ARC which was held in November 2015 in Fukuoka (Japan) by secret ballot Taipei has been chosen to host the next 16ARC in 2019. This choice is explained by the fact that Asian Geotechnical Societies recognized the high level of Chinese Taipei Geotechnical Society and their geotechnical achievements. I am sure that 16ARC in Taiwan will bring together scientists, not only in the Asian region, but also in other regions of the world (Europe, America, Australia, Africa). Of course, the success will be supported strongly by SEAGS and the allies of other Asian societies.
I wish SEAGS continues its active work in ISSMGE and hopefully in the near future, ISSMGE will welcome the new geotechnical societies such as Philippines, Cambodia, Burma from the Southeast-Asian regions.
I congratulate with the 50th Years golden celebration of SEAGS and wish her members to further continuous achievements, new discoveries, brilliant victories and healthy life.
Sincerely yours,
Prof. Askar Zhussupbekov
Life member of the SEAGS
