Lahore: The Civil Engineering Department at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, conducted a significant international seminar on “Environmental Friendly Cement-less Concrete for Future Constructions in Pakistan: Geopolymer Concrete, A Sustainable Solution.” This event is part of a research initiative funded by the Higher Education Commission under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Collaborative Research Grant.
According to University of Engineering and Technology, the seminar served as a platform to disseminate the findings from the first two years of the research project, involving key participants from the academic and industrial sectors. Notable attendees included engineers, postgraduate and undergraduate students, and researchers from both Pakistan and the University of Wollongong, Australia. The seminar began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome note from Prof. Dr. Noor Muhammad Khan, Chairman of the Civil Engineering Department, who emphasized the importance of sustainable construction practices in Pakistan.
The event highlighted significant contributions from various experts, including the Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqui, who underscored the necessity of new materials and technologies in the construction industry. Dr. Qasim Shaukat Khan, the Principal Investigator of the CPEC-CRG project, detailed the experimental work completed and shared insights into the promising results of geopolymer concrete as a sustainable alternative to traditional Portland Cement Concrete.
The seminar also featured technical sessions where speakers such as Prof. Dr. Muhammad N. S. Hadi from Australia and other distinguished engineers and researchers discussed the environmental benefits and structural advantages of geopolymer concrete, particularly in combating global warming and climate change.
The event concluded with Prof. Dr. Asad Ullah Qazi, Co-Principal Investigator, summarizing the research findings and reinforcing the potential of cement-less concrete in shaping the future of construction in Pakistan. The seminar closed with an awards ceremony where shields were presented to the researchers and students involved in the project, recognizing their contributions to this groundbreaking research.