Invited lecture:
Climate Related Drought Hazards in the North Eastern Bangladesh
Prof. Md. Bodruddoza Mia, Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, holds an MS in Geology and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Kyushu University, Japan. He has published 37+ papers, researching remote sensing applications in drought, urban heat islands, river erosion, water resources, and geohazards. He is a member of IAEG Bangladesh.
Keynote:
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Disaster Risk Reduction in Nepal
Mr. Anil Pokhrel is the former Chief Executive of Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), where he led the development of its structure, SOPs, programs, and budget, and implemented Nepal’s DRRM Action Plan. He also served as Member Secretary of the National Executive Committee (headed by the Minister of Home Affairs) and the National Council for DRRM (headed by the Prime Minister). With over two decades of experience, he has worked with NGOs, UN agencies, ADB, and the World Bank in DRR, climate change, and water management. Mr. Pokhrel holds degrees in Civil Engineering and Environmental Management from Tribhuvan University and Yale University.
Keynote:
The Paul Marinos Distinguished World Lecture
Prof. Dr. Xuanmei Fan is the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (SKLGP) at Chengdu University of Technology, China. Her research focuses on earthquake- and climate change-induced geological hazards, long-term landscape evolution, and disaster risk reduction. Her work has been crucial in emergency response and rescue operations after major earthquakes. Due to her significant scientific contributions, she has received prestigious awards, including the Chinese Young Women Scientists Award, Scientific Exploration Award, and the Science and Technology Awards of IAEG. As chair, she co-founded the Global Partnership for Smart Informatics and Multi-hazard Reduction (SMART), addressing global multi-hazard risks.
Keynote:
Geological Environment and GeoDisasters in Qinghai–Xizang Plateau, China
Dr. Shengwen Qi is a distinguished professor at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), specializing in engineering geomechanics, rock mechanics, and geohazards. He earned his Ph.D. in Geological Engineering from CAS in 2002. Dr. Qi has held notable positions, including Secretary General of the IAEG China National Group and Chairperson of the IAEG’s Committee on Structure and Behavior of Soil and Rock Mass and IAEG Vice President for Asia. His research encompasses slope stability analysis, underground excavations, and numerical simulation for geotechnical problems. Dr. Qi has published extensively, contributing significantly to the understanding of seismic dynamic responses in rock masses and gravity deformation in deep slopes.
Keynote:
Title: Rockfall Prediction and Prevention in High Hills of Deccan Trap
Prof. Dr. Trilok Nath Singh is a distinguished faculty member at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), specializing in engineering geology, rock mechanics, and slope stability. He has over three decades of experience and has contributed to research on waste dump environments, CO2 sequestration, and rock-blasting. Dr. Singh has held prominent administrative roles, including Vice Chancellor of MGKVP, Varanasi, and Independent Director at HPCL. He has received numerous awards, including the National Mineral Award (2006) and the ISRMTT Contribution to Rock Mechanics Award (2017). He is a member of several editorial boards.
Keynote:
New Methods for Characterizing and Modeling the Engineering Behavior of Expansive Soils
Dr. Shahid Azam is a Professor of Environmental Systems Engineering at the University of Regina, Canada, with over 30 years of experience in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. His research focuses on safeguarding soils from climate change, geological hazards, and contaminants. He has developed sustainable solutions for various sectors, including civil infrastructure and mine waste. Dr. Azam has published over 175 papers and has contributed to numerous consulting projects globally. He has received several awards, including the Geoenvironmental Award from the Canadian Geotechnical Society.
Keynote:
Deep-Seated Rock Slides: Understanding Processes and Assessing Impacts on Settlements and Infrastructure
Prof. Dr. Christian Zangerl is the Head of the Institute of Applied Geology at BOKU University, Vienna. With a focus on engineering geology, his research spans geological hazards (rock slides), environmental geology, and geotechnical engineering. He has contributed significantly to the field through teaching and research in applied geology. Prof. Zangerl has been involved in numerous projects related to landslides, soil mechanics, and geological risk assessment. He has published extensively and is dedicated to advancing knowledge in the geological sciences, both in academic settings and through practical applications.
Keynote:
Cross-Fault Newton Force Measurement for Earthquake Prediction
Professor Manchao He is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and a foreign member of the Argentine National Academy of Engineering (ANI) and the Russian Academy of Mining Sciences (AGN). He is the Director of the State Key Laboratory for Tunnel Engineering and a Professor at China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing (CUMTB). As President of CSRME and CUMI, he has pioneered advancements in rock mechanics, including the 110/N00 mining method and the NPR bolt (“HE-bolt”). His research focuses on rockburst mechanisms, soft rock deformation, landslides, and active fault stability monitoring.
Keynote:
Smart Water Management for Sustainable Development: Bridging Groundwater-Surface Water Dynamics Amid Climate Change
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Muhammad Qumrul Hassan is an Honorary Professor in the Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka, with over 45 years of experience in Earth and Environmental Sciences. He completed his studies at Kiel University and FU-Berlin. Prof. Hassan has published over 120 scientific works and mentored more than 100 graduate students. He is a prominent figure in global academic networks, having served as the Founder Dean at DU and President of the DAAD Alumni Association of Bangladesh. His research includes Hydrology, Hydrogeology, and Climate Change.
Keynote:
Climate Change: Closing the Gap between Challenges Faced by “Developing” and “Developed” Countries
Dr. Ann Williams is a Technical Fellow in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology and General Manager of Transport & Infrastructure at Beca Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. She has led geotechnical hazard and risk projects in New Zealand and several Pacific nations. Ann is a Past Chair and Life Member of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society Inc. and an Honorary Member of the IAEG. She played a pivotal role in establishing New Zealand’s Professional Engineering Geologist register. Ann received the 2022 NZGS Geomechanics Lecture Award and has contributed to the advancement of engineering geology globally.