Successful Completion of 1st International Conference on Space Utilization and Research in Underground Structures (SURung-I)

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Successful Completion of First International Conference on Space Utilization and Research in Underground Structures (SURung-I)

-provided a leading edge, scholarly forum for researchers, engineers and students alike to share their state-of-the art research and developmental work, new ideas and breakthroughs in areas of Space Utilization and Underground Structures.

 

The First International Conference on Space Utilization and Research in Underground Structures (SURung-I) was held at Kathmandu University on the 5^th and 6^th of May 2022.

The conference brought together academicians, researchers, engineers, and industry experts involved in disciplines of underground structure. As a part of the conference, Prof Dr. Bhola Thapa, vice-chancellor of Kathmandu University, and Mr. Kulman Ghising, Managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority(NEA) inaugurated the conference. The conference provided a leading edge, scholarly forum for researchers, engineers and students alike to share their state-of-the art research and developmental work, new ideas and breakthroughs in areas of Space Utilization and Underground Structures. Nepal Electricity Authority, Nepal Construction and Engineering Corporation Pvt. Ltd (NCEC), Hydro Tunneling and Research Pvt. Ltd and Energize Nepal supported the conference.

The entire conference was chaired by Associate prof. Dr. Shyam Sundar Khadka, head of the department at Department of Civil Engineering, Kathmandu University. Prof. Seokwon Jeon from Seoul National University, Prof. Krishna Kanta Panthi from Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), Dr. Sandip Shah, Immediate Past President of Nepal Tunneling Association(NTA), and Dr. Pawan Kumar Shrestha, President of Nepal Society of Rock Mechanics(NSRM) delivered keynote sessions on various topics in the field of tunneling and underground structure. This was followed by paper presentations from researchers in the field. Twenty research papers were presented throughout the conference. There was also a plenary session where the importance of underground structures in Nepal for sustainable development was discussed.

Prof. Dr. Subodh Sharma, Registrar of Kathmandu University, and Dr. Rita Kumar, senior advisor at the office of International Relations, NTNU attended the closing ceremony of the conference. The conference chair Dr. Shyam Sundar Khadka delivered the vote of thanks to the guests, speakers, attendees, organizing members, and volunteers and wished for the continuation of SURUng conference. Mr. Anubhav Ghimire hosted the events.

Eighty-six students and researchers participated in the conference in person. The conference was also streamed virtually.