A Shared Vision for Emerging Asia:
The Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council Was Established

An internationally coordinated body among the civil engineering societies and institutions was formally established under the initiative of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) on September 27, 1999. It is named the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC), and the five founding members are the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Chinese Institute of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering (CICHE) in Taiwan, the Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE) in South Korea, the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), and the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE). Dr. Hiroshi Okada (Immediate Past President of JSCE, and President of the Japan Railway Technical Service) was elected as Chair of the Executive Committee and Dr. Osamu Kusakabe (Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology) was elected as the Secretary General of the Executive Committee. The Secretariat is housed in the Headquarter of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers.

The main purpose of the ACECC is to schedule an international conference called Civil Engineering Conference in the Asian Region (CECAR) on a triennial basis, where worldwide members of the civil engineering profession may jointly develop programs of coordination and mutual action in designated matters. It is also expected to exchange knowledge and experiences among the members to seek ways and means to solve the tremendous issues in the Asian region in such fields as urban infrastructure, environmental preservation, natural disaster prevention, advanced technology management, technical cooperation, engineers' qualifications, engineering education, international technical standards, and other related issues. Consequently it is envisaged that the mobility of human, capital, information and services will be enhanced greatly among the industrial, governmental and educational organizations in the civil engineering and construction field. Thereby, mutually beneficial exchange of views will be activated on how the infrastructure in the whole Asian region in the 21^st century will be directed.

The first CECAR was held in February 1998 in Manila, Philippines, jointly sponsored by ASCE, PICE and JSCE, having Ex-President Mr. Fidel V. Ramos as Honorary Chair of the Conference. The 2^nd CECAR is planned to be held in Tokyo in April 200l, for which the preparatory works have been initiated by the Local Organizing Committee (Chair: Dr. Yukihiko Sumiyoshi. Secretary General; Dr. Masaaki Terashi). It is quite an achievement that the international council aiming at the multinational cooperation among civil engineers was established in this short period under the leadership of JSCE.

JSCE 54^th Annual Conference in Hiroshima Was Hit by Typhoon

The annual Conference is the largest event of JSCE. The 54^th Conference was held at the campus of Hiroshima University and the International Conference Center Hiroshima from 22 to 24 September 1999. Unfortunately the last day's program was all cancelled due to a typhoon which passed through nearby Hiroshima vicinity. This time, the Conference gathered total of 5,544 participants all over Japan and special guests from foreign countries. The Conference consisted of three parts, a series of special lectures by the President of JSCE (Professor Okamura) and a distinguished speaker (Dr. Mizuno, Director-General of the Industrial Science Research Center of Hiroshima), presentation of academic researches totaling 3,921 articles, and panel discussions on 16 different topics.


The International Activities Committee sponsored one panel discussion entitled "Technical Cooperation in Asia and the Role of Japan". This was attended by not only the members but also representatives from foreign societies including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Chinese Institute of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering (CICHE), and Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE). Under part of the academic research presentation, thirty three articles in English were documented and supposed to be presented on the last day of the Conference. Topics under this English session covered a wide area of "hard" and "soft" engineering aspects including methods of construction cost reduction, procurement systems, and case studies of overseas construction works. However, as mentioned earlier, this presentation was cancelled due to the typhoon. It is expected to expand this English session for the next Annual Conference in Sendai to give ample opportunity for foreign students studying in Japan.

In addition to the above activities, the International Activities Committee hosted a round table discussion with the representatives of the above mentioned foreign societies to exchange views of mutual interest. This round table discussion focussed upon preparatory arrangements for the forthcoming event of the Second Civil Engineering Conference in Asian Region to be held in Tokyo in April 2001. The representatives from foreign societies were all invited to the "get-to-know" party held on 23 September {see the picture on top of the next page: from right to left, Dr. Turner (President of ASCE) and Mrs. Turner, Mr. Chern (Executive Director of CICHE), Dr. Sonu (President of KSCE) and Ms. Han, Dr. Kim (Vice President of KSCE) and Ms. Kim, Mr. Lee (Executive Director of KSCE) and Ms. Hwang}. Also, Mr.Tang Meishu, Secretary General of the China Civil Engineering Society, attended the International Lunch held on 22 September.


Photo: Representatives from the Foreign Societies


 

Cooperation Agreements with Thai and Singaporean Engineers Societies

In August 1999, JSCE has entered into two new cooperation agreements with the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) under H.M. the King's Patronage, and the Institution of Engineers, Singapore respectively. With these agreements, JSCE holds total of 14 cooperation agreements with foreign societies.

The Engineering Institute of Thailand was founded in 1943, which merged two older organizations - the Builders Association of Siam established in 1928 and the Chulalongkorn University Engineering Association established in 1935 among the university graduates. In Thailand there is no other engineering association except this Engineering Institute. Particular characteristic of this Institute lies in its strong emphasis on promotion of engineering science and technology, while social gathering and other service are the secondary priority.

The latter one in Singapore was founded in 1966. As of March 1999, the membership totals 7,258 comprising 11 Honorary Fellows, 210 Fellows, 3,064 Members, 2,350 Graduates, 1,534 Students and 89 Associates. The objectives of the Institute are: to enhance the character and status of and to advance the interest of the profession of engineering and those engaged therein; to promote honorable practice and mutual respect, and to decide all questions of engineering practice and etiquette affecting members of the Institution; to provide quality service to its members and the nation, and to provide opportunity for continuing professional development and promote fellowship among members. To achieve these objectives, the Institution holds meetings, exhibitions, seminars, conferences and other activities. It also communicates to members, information on all matters affecting the profession of engineering, prints, publishes, issues and circulates such publications as may be seen conducive to any objectives of the Institution.

Indicated in table is a list of URL addresses of the societies or institutes holding cooperation agreements with JSCE. You may wish to hit these web sites of your interest.


Table: Societies Holding Cooperation Agreement with JSCE

The Outline of the First International Summer Symposium and Call for Abstracts to the Second International Summer Symposium in July 2000

On 6th August 1999, an historical event of "The First International Summer Symposium" was held at JSCE head-quarter, Yotsuya, Tokyo in which 86 presentations were performed. The main aim of this symposium was to exchange the knowledge and information, and also to make better relationship among the foreign students and engineers in Japan in the field of Civil Engineering.

To encourage the students and engineers who made presentations in this symposium, the organizing committee nominated 10 presenters for Honors. They were selected on the basis of their excellent quality of papers and presentations.

The Winner for Honors are as follows.
Wael Tatar (Saitama University)
Qingyun Liu (Nagoya University)
Piotr Omenzetter (University of Tokyo)
Nimal Wijayaratna (Yokohama National University)
Ju-Hyong Kim (Seoul National University, South Korea)
Rolando P. Orense (Kiso-jiban Consultants Co. Ltd.)
Liu Hongchao (University of Tokyo)
George Emanuel Vulpe (Yokohama National University)
Yeon Seong Jeong (Hanyang University, South Korea)
Jagath Manatunge (Saitama University)

It is believed that the first symposium was successful and delightful. With this success, Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) appreciates the kind contribution from overseas students and engineers for participating in the first Symposium. Remarkably, the Symposium provided a platform for overseas students and engineers in Japan to present, discuss, and exchange their research interests in English. In this year, JSCE schedules to hold the second International Summer Symposium on July 28th, 2000 in Tokyo, and calls for papers. The overseas students and engineers are sincerely encouraged to participate in the Summer Symposium. The subjects presented at the Summer Symposium cover seven areas in civil engineering: I) structural mechanics and earthquake engineering, II) hydraulics, III) geotechnical engineering, IV) urban planning and transportation, V) materials, VI) construction management and infrastructure system, and VII) environment.

1) The abstract should be typed in English and contain:
a) Technical area (I-VII)
b) Title
c) Full name of authors in the order of the first, middle, and last names. And the name of the presenting author must be underlined.
d) Affiliation, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and fax number (in case that e-mail address is not available)
e) Abstract (200 words)

2) Submit the abstract by April 7th, 2000 to International Affairs Division, JSCE. (Mr.N.Kumagai,e-mail: kuma@jsce.or.jp, FAX :03-5379-0125).

3) The abstracts will be reviewed by International Activities Committee and will be informed by e-mail or fax to presenting authors on April 28th. And the instruction for preparation of papers will be sent to presenting authors.

4) Submit the full paper by June 16th, 2000 to International Division, JSCE

5) Please note that attendants to the Summer Symposium will be charged 2,000 Yen at the registration desk on the event day. And proceedings will be provided to the attendants. The presentation should be given by the aid of an overhead projector. After the summer symposium, Drinking & Uniting Party will be provided free of charge for all attendants.

6) For more information, please contact Professor Nobuaki Otsuki (otsuki@cv.titech.ac.jp) or refer to the homepage of International Activities Committee, JSCE (http://www.jsce.or.jp/index-e.html).

ASCE Civil Engineering Conference and Exposition

JSCE President Hajime Okamura and other members from the International Activities Committee visited Charlotte, North Carolina, USA for attending the 1999 ASCE Civil Engineering Conference and Exposition. JSCE has been dispatching delegations to the ASCE Conference and Exposition in recent years to strengthen the tie with ASCE.

In the 1999 Conference and Exposition, JSCE contributed to organize an International Session on the "Tatara Bridge - World Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge" with cooperation of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Authority. Messrs. Suzuki, Kawaguchi and Shigetome presented the highlights of the technical development for the Tatara Bridge that opened in May 1999 in the Shimanami-Kaido (west bound Honshu-Shikoku Bridge). In a booth in the Exposition, the Japanese most-advanced technology for construction of long-span bridges was displayed.

President Okamura and Executive Director Miyoshi signed an agreement for extending the cooperative agreement between JSCE and ASCE. ASCE President Dan Turner and Executive Director James Davis signed it on behalf of the ASCE. The Japan delegation attended the International Round Table Meeting on "The Role of ASCE and Other Societies in Developing Codes and Standards." Importance in developing international codes with international cooperation was discussed among the member societies in the round table meeting.

Photo: JSCE President H. Okamura and ASCE President D. Turner, International Dinner and Culture Gala

Voice from a Student

Coming from Vietnam, I am very happy to be a student of Department of Civil Engineering, Yokohama National University. My purpose of study here is learning and researching the modern technologies in Japan especially those of geotechnical engineering.

I was deeply impressed by many large construction works in recent Japan. Particularly Kansai airport and Haneda airport are some of them, which are built on soft ground condition. Therefore, the consolidation of soft soil was a challenging task for engineers. This challenge resulted in the introduction of many new methods of analysis. I think the new methods are really useful and the experiences gained in actual construction can be applied in my country where the geotechnical engineers have to face the similar challenge to overcome a thick layer of soft ground.

Through my study on various issues involved in building works on soft ground, I realized that soft soil engineering remains a great field of new concepts, innovations and developments, especially in the field of improvement of soft ground by consolidation techniques.

In Yokohama National University, besides studying my main thesis, I have taken part in several courses of other civil engineering subjects. Our teaching staff often invite specialists from both academic and practical fields to teach us special engineering topics. This opportunity gave me a chance to broaden my knowledge through discussions with them and to understand the other aspects of civil engineering.

Since I came here last year, there have been a lot of new things to me about the country and people of Japan. Therefore, I am trying to know more about Japan. In this occasion, I would like to thank all the staff of Yokohama National University and other friends in Japan who have kindly helped me so many things in my studies. I believe that I will be able to reach my determined goal with all my effort.


By Le Ba Vinh, Vietnamese doctoral student,
Prof. Imai' s laboratory, http://www.jsce.or.jp/committee/iac/NewsLetter/vol3/www.jsce.or.jp/committee/iac/

Updated Website (Deleted)

 

Editor's Note

International Activities Committee publishes the Newsletter twice a year, and next issue will be published in August. To make this periodical Newsletter more attractive and beneficial for readers, we are looking foreword to receiving your comments and suggestions to the following;

E-mail address: kuma@jsce.or.jp

JSCE Postal Address:
International Affairs Division, JSCE
Mubanchi, Yotsuya 1-Chome, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-0004, Japan

Tel: +81-3-3355-3452
Fax: +81-3-5379-0125
JSCE Website Address (English); http://www.jsce.or.jp/index-e.html

Third issue Editors are:

Tsuneaki YOSHIDA

Ellen WANG Jun NOBUTO

International Activities Committee