London, Saturday 27th April 2019 The Society of Nepalese Engineers UK (SONEUK) organised a fourth SONEUK Conference on Engineering for Sustainable Development of Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges on Saturday. The conference was inaugurated jointly by His Excellency the Ambassador of Nepal Dr. Durga Bahadur Subedi and Prof. Tri Ratna Bajracharya (Former Dean of Institute of Engineering and current Presidency Nepal Engineers’ Association). The conference was attended by hundreds of Nepali engineers living in the UK and abroad (Nepal, Thailand and Norway).
The inaugural program was conducted by the General Secretary of SOEUK Mr. Umesh Parajuli. In the program, SONEUK’s first technical publication was also unveiled. The publication contained 15 technical papers, themed at Nepalese context, were authored by SONEUK members. In his inaugural speech, His Excellency the Ambassador of Nepal expressed his belief that the conferences like this will play an effective role in the delivery of ‘prosperous and happy Nepal’ and committed to cooperate in such events at embassy level as well as personal level.
Similarly, Special Guest Prof. Tri Ratna, Bajracharya, who came from Nepal for the conference, delivered a keynote speech on the role of the Institute of Engineering (IoE) in the quality engineering education in Nepal. He highlighted that IoE is continuously reviewing its curriculum to deliver skilled manpower needed for the development of the country. In this context, he was interested to work together with SOEUK on the basis of newly signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoU). In the program, Vice Chairman of SOEUK and Coordinator of the Conference Committee Dr Birendra Shrestha pointed out that this conference is a continuation of regular programs to promote professional development of SONEUK members by the exchange of ideas and interactions. He highlighted that the main aim of the conference was to discuss and share experiences of various engineering applications in the UK and other countries for the development of Nepal.
In his closing remarks of the inauguration session, the chairperson of the session and of SONEUK Shailendra Kajee Shrestha thanked all guests, SONEUK committee members and general members for making the conference successful. He presented the tasks successfully completed so far and subsequent plans in continuation of the signing of the MOUs with IoE, Nepal Engineers Association and Nepal Electricity Authority.
The event was scheduled as below:
Inaugural session
1. Welcome
Umesh Parajuli, General Secretary – SONEUK
2. Inauguration, Proceeding Unveiling and speech
Dr Durga Bahadur Subedi, HE Nepalese Ambassador to the UK
3. Introduction to the Conference
Dr Birendra Shrestha, Vice-chairperson and Coordinator – SONEUK Conference Organising Committee
4. Keynote Speech –
Reform for Quality Engineering Education in Nepal: Lessons Learned from the Institute of Engineering
Prof Tri Ratna Bajracharya, President – Nepal Engineers’ Association
5. Vote of thanks
Shailendra Shrestha, Chairperson, SONEUK
Technical session 1
Session Chair: Dr Birendra Shrestha, Coordinator, SONEUK Conference Organising Committee
1. Kathmandu Metro Rail Vision 2040
Dr. Binod L. Amatya, Consulting Civil Engineer, ARCADIS
2. Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) – High Tech & Advanced Machine
Vijay Gurung, Senior Construction Manager/BYTP UK
3. Guest speaker – Colin Shurrock
Networking Lunch
Technical session 2
Session Chair: Dr Ramesh Marasini, Associate Professor, Solent University
Keynote Speech –
The Development of Advanced Natural Fibre Reinforced Bio- composites: Sustainable Materials in an Asian Context
Prof Hom Dhakal, Portsmouth University
1. Geopolymer Sand as a Construction Material for Sustainable Development
Dr Indra Acharya, Assistant Professor, IOE
2. Energy Efficiency Measures in Nepalese Industries
Ramhari Poudyal, PhD Candidate, Swansea University
3. Guest speakers
Madan Regmi, United Nations (ESCAP)
Sudan Panthi, World Health Organisation
Full report of SONEUK Conference 2019 will be made available soon.