Volume 22 Issue 1

2006 ASCE Event Partnerships Target Sharing CE Knowledge

With the new year, ASCE is launching into another season of events, activities and conferences with its partners around the globe.  The ASCE leadership and the ASCE Institutes will be involved in several key international gatherings. 

In early Spring (March 16-22), the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico will bring together policymakers, stakeholders and others in the global water community to discuss water issues.  Through targeted presentations, the North American Alliance for Civil Engineers (NAACE)—made up of ASCE, the Federación de Colegios de Ingenieros Civiles de la Republica Mexicana and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering—is contributing to the success of this event held every three years.  ASCE’s Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) has been central to developing the Society’s technical input within the NAACE partnership. (http://www.worldwaterforum4.org.mx)

In July 3-4, the Triennial Conference in London will celebrate the bicentenary of civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s birth in 1806 by hosting a major international conference.   The general theme of the event is the range of global issues facing engineers in the 21st century and their contribution to safety, security and sustainability.  ASCE and the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) are jointly sponsoring the event.  (www.ice.org.uk)

The Pan American Federation of Engineering Societies (UPADI) 2006 Conference will be held at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta (September 19-22).  Economic development, global ethics, education, free trade and sustainability are five areas that will be covered.  ASCE and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the two cooperating societies representing the US in UPADI, are assisting in organizing this meeting.  (www.upadi2006.com)

Members of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) will gather at ASCE’s Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois (October 19-21) for an Executive Council meeting. (www.wfeo.org)

At the end of the year, December 18-20, representatives of ASCE’s Environment & Water Resources Institute will travel to New Delhi, India, to take part in An International Perspective on Environmental and Water Resources, which is being organized and sponsored by EWRI and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). (www.asce.org/conferences/india06)

ASCE Capacity Building

ASCE Lends Hand in Pakistan Earthquake Recovery Program

ASCE members and staff teamed up with the National Academies in lending a hand to a US Agency for International Development-funded mission to assist Pakistan with earthquake recovery. The team traveled to Pakistan in early December to observe ongoing earthquake recovery efforts, assess needs, and meet with Pakistani government officials to offer technical assistance. The effort falls under ASCE’s continuing goal of helping build engineering capacity in developing countries.  Read more at http://www.asce.org/files/doc/pakistanrecovery.doc

ASCE Publications Shipment Arrives Safely in Baghdad

It took almost a year to get there, but at long last a large shipment of ASCE publications to help provide technical references for Iraqi engineers arrived in Baghdad.  In late November, a military cargo plane carrying more than 10,000 texts of civil engineering related material from the Society’s archives touched down at Baghdad International Airport and brought to a close another chapter of ASCE capacity building outreach.  Read the rest of the article at

http://www.asce.org/files/doc/iraqibookdelivery.doc

Around the World

What are the Agreements of Cooperation Societies (AOCs) doing?

The Federación de Colegios de Ingenieros Civiles de la Republica Mexicana (FECIC), in partnership with CEMEX and the Virtual University of the Monterrey Tech (ITESM), is joining this on-going cooperative education initiative for the benefit of its members. Now the Corporate Cathedras program (a Cathedra is lecture given by a prominent speaker and shares the same Latin root with the word “cathedral”) is FECIC’s official source of continuous education, and this preliminary step opens an important window of opportunity towards the future development of certification programs.

(http://www.asce.org/files/pdf/intl/CEMEX_FECIC.doc)

The peripheral bodies of the Institute of Engineers, India (IEI), including the Safety and Quality Forum and the Delhi State Centre, have organized workshops and seminars on the role of safety and quality management and technology management in the energy sector. Safety is crucial for economic and social development of India, as well as any other country. Orientation programs provide opportunity for building skills. With regard to the field of power generation, quality was an issue stressed at the seminar. There is also a need in focusing on policies for energy security. More information can be obtained by emailing sdg@ieindia.org

The Spanish Institute of Engineering celebrates 100 years of serving that country’s engineers.  The IEE, Instituto de la Ingenieria de Espana, a major association of engineering in Spain, was founded in 1905 and is presided over by his majesty the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I.  The IEE successfully celebrated its 100 years of existence with the organization of the Fourth National Congress of Engineering, focused in the technological performance in Europe.  More information about the Institute and the Congress of Engineering can be found in the IIES website at www.iies.es

What are the ASCE International Groups and Sections doing?

The Hong Kong International Section is planning to co-sponsor another Bridge Design Competition with the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (HKIE) after receiving excellent feedback from last year’s competition. More information about the West Point Bridge Design software, including a download of the 2006 software itself, can be found at http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/index.htm. Contact Christopher Leung at ckleung@ust.hk for information about the contest in Hong Kong.

The India International Section, in association with the ICE (UK) Eastern India Chapter, held a seminar on the “Utilization of Skyways and Subways in the Cities in India.”  Walking is the main mode of transport in most societies, however the attitude towards pedestrians is often neglectful. Possible solutions include ensuring better utilization of skyways and subways by the general public. For additional information, please contact C.R. Dutta at asce@vsnl.net

The Thailand International Section has participated in two joint meetings with the Society of Professional Engineers Thailand (SPET).  Discussions were about tall buildings in Hong Kong and the Taiwan High Speed Rail Project.  Other activities of the Section include efforts to promote the ASCE Membership Drive, collecting donations for the Katrina Hurricane, and working with the ASCE team to study the effects of the December 2004 Tsunami in Thailand.  Email Charles Heidengren (sita@epsilon.co.th) for more information.

Establish an ASCE International Group

International Groups are formed to provide civil engineers in other countries with opportunities to organize activities related to the profession. The main purposes of a Group are to promote technical and professional development of ASCE members residing or visiting a country through meetings and other forms of communication, through study of local engineering practice, and through contact with ASCE World Headquarters; to achieve closer personal acquaintance and spirit of cooperation among engineers; to cooperate with other local engineering societies in matters of common interest; and to assist in attaining the objectives of ASCE. The Society currently has Groups in 14 countries: Brazil, India, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the UK. ASCE International Sections (Groups can evolve into sections) are found in Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Mexico.  If you are interested in forming an International Group in your country, please contact Julia Kang at jkang@asce.org for further information.

ASCE International Partners

Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC)

The ACECC 12th Executive Committee (ECM) met in advance of the ASCE Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California, in a meeting hosted by ASCE. The next ECM will be hosted by the Mongolian Association of Civil Engineers (MACE) in June of 2006. Information about ACECC can be found at www.acecc.net and detailed meeting information can be obtained by emailing the ACECC Secretariat at chuchiayih@ciche.org.tw

North American Alliance for Civil Engineers (NAACE)
The 4th World Water Forum will take place March 16-22, 2006, in Mexico City. NAACE, with the leadership of EWRI (Environment & Water Resources Institute of ASCE), has submitted two sessions in the following thematic areas: Applications of System Analysis in Water Resources and Use of Integrated Water Resource Management to Achieve Socio-Economic Goals. The WWF4 Secretariat received more than 550 proposals for sessions with a total of 150 sessions allowed in the Forum. The final approved session is Shared Vision Models incorporating Integrated Water Resources Management Supported by Mathematical Models and Applications of Systems Analysis in Water Resources. For more information, visit http://www.worldwaterforum4.org.mx

Institution of Civil Engineers, UK (ICE)

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and ASCE are hosting the Triennial Conference in London July 3-4, 2006. Among the ASCE speakers: ASCE Past-President, William (Bill) Henry, who will speak on “Ethics and Anti-Corruption Initiatives”; Henry James Hatch, ASCE International Activities Committee Chair, who will speak on “Civil Engineering Issues in the Millennium Development Goals – US Viewpoint”; Dr. Russell C. Jones, Chair of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations Committee on Capacity Building, who will speak on “WFEO: Capacity Building Initiatives”; Professor Erick VanMarcke, Princeton University and Chair of the ASCE Council on Disaster Risk Management (CDRM), who will address “Natural Disaster”; and ASCE President Dennis Martenson, who will serve as a Session Chair. Further information on the conference can be found at http://www.ice.org.uk/

News From ASCE

ASCE Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering (TCLEE) members participated as speakers in two international symposiums in Istanbul, Turkey this past November.  The discussion focused on the potential for an earthquake on the westerly extension of the North Anatolian fault in the Sea of Maramara adjacent to Istanbul, which could be devastating to the city, and the resulting environmental pollution.  The 1st International HAZTURK-2005 Workshop was to gather experts in the field to discuss work elements for the adoption of the U.S.  “HAZUS” program to Turkey.  Read more about the symposia at http://www.asce.org/files/doc/Istanbul.docand the Hazus program at http://www.asce.org/files/doc/HAZUS-program-tentative-4-A4.doc

 (left to right) Le Val Lund, M.ASCE;

Curtis Edwards, F.ASCE;

Dr. Derin Ural, M.ASCE, student

UPADI - Pan American Convention of Engineers 

ASCE and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), who represent the United States in UPADI, have joined together with the Georgia Institute of Technology to present XXX Pan American Convention of Engineers, UPADI 2006 (September 19–22).  The convention is still welcoming proposals from speakers on various topics, including economic development, global ethics, education, free trade and sustainability.  If you are interested in being a presenter, please contact Mike Sanio at msanio@asce.org.  Additional information can be found at http://www.upadi2006.com/

XXX UPADI 2006 is featuring a paper contest for undergraduate students.  Papers must focus on an engineering design problem or topic similar to that in a senior capstone design class. Up to 25 papers will be selected for a 15-minute oral presentation and a poster presentation. Papers will be selected by a panel of professionals from UPADI and Georgia Tech.  For complete information on the contest, please go to http://www.upadi2006.com/english/competition.shtml

ASCE Past-President William P. Henry, P.E., F.ASCE was named one of Engineering-News Record's Top 25 Newsmakers of 2005 for his role in leading ASCE's initiative to stamp out global corruption in construction. Through Mr. Henry's leadership, ASCE engaged nearly 90 industry groups from around the world, and created an historic charter that compels members to report bribery, fraud and kickbacks on construction projects the world over.  More about this can get read at http://www.enr.com/people/people/archives/060109-1.asp and http://www.asce.org/inside/global/?id=26

The 2006 Global Construction Summit (April 25-27) will be held in Beijing, China.  The event will draw senior executives from leading real estate developers, contractors, design firms, financiers, and government agencies around the world. They will share best practices and brainstorm solutions to problems in the increasingly global $4.2-trillion construction marketplace.  ASCE is a supporting organization for the conference. 

http://www.construction.com/event/BeijingSummit/default.asp

2006 India Conference

An International Perspective on Environmental and Water Resources

An International Perspective on Environmental and Water Resources, a conference organized and sponsored by ASCE’s Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI)  and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, will be held in New Delhi, India, December 18-20, 2006. This conference will cover a wide variety of topics related to water resources and the environment. While technical sessions will include topics on both developed and developing countries, much of the focus will be on water resources and the environment in developing countries, especially in Asia. Participants, including paper presenters and attendees, will include engineers, scientists, and planners from all over the globe. The two and a half day conference will include a plenary session; concurrent technical tracks; followed by closing roundtable discussions. The conference will also include social and networking events as well as tours of Delhi. Post conference tours to Agra and Jaipur will also be made available for participants.

For a complete listing of conference topics, visit the conference website at http://www.asce.org/conferences/india06. The deadline for abstract submissions was January 6, 2006.

Attention Student Members: ASCE Membership Dues Available at a Discount!

Upon graduation, you are eligible for discounted dues from ASCE for 5 years to help you make the transition to the workforce and advance in your career (see https://www.asce.org/membership/memdues.cfm). You may be eligible to receive an additional discount depending on which country you reside in, based upon World Bank World Development Indicators. Check here to see if you qualify for the extra discount https://www.asce.org/membership/intlmemdues.cfm

SUBMIT ARTICLES for the March issue!

Please send us current news and events from your institution and be sure to include a URL or email address. Articles should be sent to Julia Kang at jkang@asce.org no later than March 6, 2006.

Learn More About ASCE Internationally and Our Partners