Forum for Civil Engineering Education in Universities of Developing Countries

On friendly invitation of College of Civil Engineering of Hunan University, the Dean of School of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa and the Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Prof. Dr. Ramesh Kumar Maskey participated in a 20-day visit cum training program organized by Hunan University in Chnagsha of Hunan Province of People's Republic of China from 10 to 30 September 2009. Seventeen Participants from six-developing countries namely: . The visit was sponsored by the Ministry of Education.

The main objective of the Forum was to provide opportunity to scholars from and to use it as a platform for sharing knowledge and building network between them for mutual growth in the context of Global knowledge–based economy. There were eleven lectures by professors from , one special presentation by participants and one plenary discussion on "Opportunities in International Collaboration and Interaction in Education and Research in Civil Engineering" Furthermore, the visit was supplemented by four technical visits to different design institutions, heavy industries, construction sites related to civil engineering. Participants also have appreciated the visits to different historical and tourist sites in including the Great China Wall.

As an outcome of the Forum, a Memorandum of Understanding for educational and cultural cooperation between has been signed by the authorities of respective universities. Similarly, an Expression of Interest document for mutual cooperation in educational and cultural exchange has been signed by authorities of participating countries. Further, a meeting was held between the delegates from and representative of Hunan Allonward Hydro-Generating Equipment Co. Ltd on 24-25 September in Changsha of Hunan Province to discuss on various aspects of mutual cooperation (see Minutes of Meeting)

extends its warm thanks to College of Civil Engineering of Hunan University for the friendly invitation and the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with distinguished participants from and . Gratitude also goes to Prof. Lee of Confucius Institute at for organizing this visit.