I must have been 16 or 17 when I attended my first IABSE event as an accompanying person with my late father, Dr T. N. Subba Rao. Little did I know then that I would one day become a civil and structural engineer, become involved with IABSE and adopt it as my vehicle for professional growth and continued learning by being included in its truly international community of fellow engineers. Over the years I attended its various seminars, events, symposia and congresses and became a member of the then Working Commission 4 (WC)–Operation, Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Structures. I joined the Bulletin Board in 2011 and became its Chair (2016–2021), Chair of OPAC (2015–2017, 2021–2023), Vice President of IABSE (2015–2023), member of the Technical Committee (TC) and continue as a member of TG 5.1 Forensic Engineering. I have had the honour of serving on various Scientific Committees of the IABSE and brainstorming groups within the TC.
The Indian National Group (ING-IABSE) was set up in May 1957 under the patronage of the Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, with the active participation of engineers and professionals from the public and private sector as well as research and academic institutions. It works as an arm of the Parent Body (IABSE), Zürich, Switzerland, to promote international cooperation and the exchange of technical and scientific knowledge in bridge and structural engineering. To achieve these aims and objectives, the Group brings out a peer-reviewed quarterly Journal, The Bridge and Structural Engineer, and organizes periodical discussions in seminars, webinars, symposia and workshops on topical subjects.
ING-IABSE has hosted international events in New Delhi like the Congress in 1992 on “Civilization through Civil Engineering”, the International Colloquium in 1999 on “Foundation for Major Bridges–Design and Construction”, the International Conference in 2005 on “Role of Structural Engineers towards Reduction of Poverty”, the IABSE Symposium in Kolkata, 2013, and the online webinar series on Bridge Deck Erection Equipment in 2021.
Today, the world is facing a number of global challenges in which structural engineers and related professionals have a major role to play in identifying sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and to support international collaboration in a time of conflict and unrest. In IABSE, we believe in cooperation, professional dialogue and knowledge sharing as a means to foster understanding and respect between people and organizations. Our members represent a unique blend of academia, owners of structures, consultants, architects and contractors—all with a profound interest in the built environment.
In light of the Paris Agreement, COP 26, COP 27 and the United Nations Declaration on Sustainability Development Goals, it behoves us not only as engineers but as members of society at large to address the critical aspects of Climate Change and Sustainability. With this before us, ING-IABSE decided to adopt the theme of “Engineering for Sustainable Development” for the IABSE Congress New Delhi, 2023.
As the Chair of the Scientific Committee and on behalf of ING-IABSE, we have the pleasure of welcoming you and your accompanying persons to the IABSE Congress New Delhi, 2023, from 20th to 22nd September. I look forward to being part of IABSE’s future vision—an institution we love—and its evolving story going forward.
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Notes on contributors
Harshavardhan Subbarao
Harshavardhan Subbarao
IABSE, Vice President Construma Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., Director, India