IC-IMPACTS Successfully Hosts Winter School on Infrastructure Advancements

IC-IMPACTS Successfully Hosts Winter School on Infrastructure Advancements

On January 14 & 15, 2015, IC-IMPACTS, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) jointly held a Winter School in Hyderabad, India.  The two day program, held at IIT Hyderabad, brought together professors and students from various TEQIP institutions for training on advancements in structural engineering and materials.

Many buildings and structures in India that were designed to last 50 to 100 years only last approximately 22 years.  These buildings are in need of great structural repair and strengthening, however, continuous occupancy and operation of these buildings tend to complicate the upgrade process.  The IC-IMPACTS Winter School provided an overview of advanced procedures to assesses conditions of these buildings, and an overview on newer methods of evaluating building strengths and design schemes.

“We met outstanding structural engineers that are making important contributions to the growth and development of the engineering profession in India,” said Dr. Carlos Ventura, Director of the Earthquake Engineering Research Center at the University of British Columbia.  “Their passion for the profession and commitment to excel in what they do is contagious, and encourages us to work hard on what we do.”

The course provided a great deal of exposure to young scientists, researchers, and teachers that help train future engineers, architects, and developers in the public and private sectors.  Dr. Rishi Gupta, a speaker from the University of Victoria noted that “the winter school provided a great forum for both professors and students in India to engage in discussions related to advances in innovative materials and structural engineering.”

By providing courses in structural health monitoring, condition inspections, and strengthening techniques, IC-IMPACTS, ASCE, and TEQIP are ensuring future building professionals in India are equipped with advanced skills and the latest procedures in the working environment.

“The winter course was an incredible opportunity to interact with sixty or so young and inquisitive professors from TEQIP institutions who had come to learn of advances in structural engineering,” notes Dr. Nemy Banthia, IC-IMPACTS CEO and Scientific Director.  “Without a doubt, they are the future of India, and judging from their attentiveness, the future of structural engineering in India is bright.”