Integral University Hosts International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics and Sustainable Infrastructure
Prof. Syed Waseem Akhtar, Chancellor of Integral University and Chief Patron of the conference, extended his best wishes to the organisers and participants. He emphasised the importance of character building, responsibility and the judicious and sustainable use of natural and technological resources. He also expressed condolences on the demise of former Chancellor Maulana Saeed-ur-Rahman Azmi.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla, Director, CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee, highlighted the vital role of transportation infrastructure in economic and social development. He stressed the need for sustainable, evidence-based and innovative approaches to infrastructure development while underlining the complementary roles of geotechnical, geophysical and structural engineering.
Dr. Syed Nadeem Akhtar, Pro-Chancellor and Patron, emphasised the importance of responsible infrastructure development, technological innovation and resilient transportation systems. Guest of Honour Shri Ashok Kumar Dwivedi, Engineer-in-Chief (Development) and Head of Department, UPPWD, spoke about geotechnical and structural considerations in road development. He also highlighted sustainable road construction techniques such as RAP, CGBM and microsurfacing.
International experts Prof. Tatsuya Ishikawa of Hokkaido University, Japan, and Prof. Lindung Zalbuin Mase of the University of Bengkulu, Indonesia, shared their perspectives on transportation geotechnics, sustainable infrastructure and global research collaboration. They emphasised the need for innovative approaches and stronger international partnerships to address emerging challenges in geotechnical engineering.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr. Nida Fatima, Additional Pro-Chancellor; Prof. Furqan Qamar, Vice Chancellor; Prof. Haris Siddiqui, Registrar; and Prof. Sunil Kumar, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Co-Patron of the conference.
Prof. Syed Aqeel Ahmad, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and Convener of TG-SMART 2026, welcomed the guests and outlined the objectives of the conference.
A key highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the release of the TG-SMART 2026 Souvenir, along with the inauguration of the TG-SMART Expo.
Organised in association with leading academic and research institutions, with CSIR-CBRI and CSIR-CRRI serving as technical partners, the conference features expert presentations and research papers covering a wide range of areas, including transportation geotechnics, ground improvement, geohazards, tunnels, foundations, slopes and sustainable pavement technologies.
TG-SMART 2026 aims to strengthen interdisciplinary and international research collaboration while promoting innovative, sustainable and technology-driven solutions for developing resilient transportation infrastructure.