Technical Knowledge Exchange between Nepal and Bangladesh on Advanced, Cost- Effective and Climate Resilient Bridge Structures funded by The World Bank (24 September 24- October 01, 2018)

A 16-personnel team visited BUET-JIDPUS for a 10-day knowledge exchange programme. The team included Nepalese engineers from Department of Roads, Nepal, bureaucrats, Nepalese contractors and two representatives from The World Bank.

This program included classroom training sessions focusing on both theoretical and computer application. Dr. Tahsin Reza Hossain, Dr. K. M. Amanat, Dr. Shohel Rana, and Dr. Nazrul Islam were the resource persons from BUET. Resource persons from LGED, RHD were also associated with this knowledge exchange program. A half day meeting between contractors of Bangladesh and Nepal was also held in order to share the construction practices of two countries.

Field visits were also an important part of the activities. A day long visit to the Bangabandhu bridge site was arranged. The participants practically saw the construction and the structure of the bridge. Visits to other small bridges in and around Dhaka were arranged. The participants visited the pedestrian bridge at Rayerbazar, pedestrian bridge at Dhanmondi, under construction bridges at Purbachal, newly constructed arch bridges at Uttara third phase etc. Finally, meetings with officials of Roads and Highways Department and Local Government Engineering Department were held.

The closing and certificate awarding ceremony took place on October 1, 2018. Honorable Vice-Chancellor of BUET, Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam was present as the chief guest of the closing ceremony. Ms. Oceane Keou, Transport Specialist from World Bank was present as a representative of The World Bank. During the closing ceremony she thanked BUET-JIDPUS team and the resource persons for arranging a well-coordinated program. She hoped that this knowledge sharing program will be the first step of a longer partnership that would benefit both countries.