The “13th International Symposium on Environmental Geotechnology and Global Sustainable Development (13-ISEGGD)” was successfully held on December 7-9, 2022. This symposium was organized by the International Society of Environmental Geotechnology (ISEG), and hosted by Nanjing University, China. Around 60 presentations were made by scholars from Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania focusing on the theme “Environmental Geotechnology for A Low-Carbon World”. More than 300 participates all over the world attended this symposium on-site or online. The distinguished guests include Prof. Jun Chen from Nanjing University, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. Yunmin Chen from Zhejiang University, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. Hilary I. Inyang, Fellow of African Academy of Science, Prof. Charles W. W. Ng, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Prof. Devendra N. Singh, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Prof. Irene M. C. Lo, Academician of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Dr. Yu Liu, Director of Department of Environmental Earth Science, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Prof. Xiancai Lu, Dean of School of Earth Sciences and Engineering of Nanjing University, Prof. Xiaolei Wang, Vice-Dean of School of Earth Sciences and Engineering of Nanjing University, Prof. Bin Shi, President of ISEG, and Prof. Chao-Sheng Tang, Secretary-General of ISEG etc.
On the morning of December 8th, the opening ceremony was held in the Zhugongshan Building of Nanjing University, which was chaired by Prof. Chao-Sheng Tang. First, all participants observed silence in memory of Prof. Hsai-Yang Fang, who is one of the pioneers in the field of environmental geotechnology as well as the co-founder of ISEG. Afterwards, Prof. Yunmin Chen, the chair of the academic committee of the symposium, delivered a welcome speech. Prof. Chen pointed out the importance of environmental geotechnology in the globally sustainable development, and this symposium provided a top platform for experts and scholars to communicate, promoting the development of environmental geotechnology. Prof. Bin Shi, the chair of the organizing committee, also delivered a welcome speech. Prof. Shi briefly introduced the history and development of ISEG and the preparation of this symposium, and particularly grated the young scholars for their active participation and support, suggesting the bright future of environmental geotechnology.
Fig 1 Opening ceremony of the symposium
In order to commemorate the contribution of Prof. Hsai-Yang Fang, the “Hsai-Yang Fang Lecture” was established by ISEG and delivered for the first time in this symposium. After nomination and voting by ISEG council committee, the first “Hsai-Yang Fang Lecture” was awarded to Prof. Hilary I. Inyang, the honorary the President of ISEG. Prof Inyang delivered the lecture with the topic of “Physico-Chemical Interactions and Textural Responses in Geomaterials”, and systematically introduced the physicochemical interactions in geological materials and the implications to the geological environment from micro to macro scale. During the next two days, the speakers made wonderful presentations on topics such as geological carbon capture, utilization and storage, pollution and remediation of mining site, soil and groundwater, microplastics and other emerging contaminants, soil-plant-atmosphere interaction, sustainable energy utilization, waste disposal and utilization, sustainable infrastructure, sustainable and high-efficient geohazard prevention, interdisciplinary and emerging technologies, geoenvironmental protection etc. The participants appreciated that the presentations were outstanding and highly spoke of the symposium.
Fig 2 Hsai-Yang Fang Lecture by Prof. Hilary I. Inyang
At the closing ceremony, the results of the first “Hsai-Yang Fang Best Paper Award” were announced. This award was established by Prof. Hsai-Yang Fang to reward young scholars under the age of 38 for their achievements in the field of environmental geotechnology based on their presentations at the ISEG international symposiums. After voting by ISEG council members, 5 young researchers received the distinguished awards, with Prof. Kai Gu from Nanjing University being the Champion, Prof. Qing Cheng from Nanjing University being the first Runner-Up, and Prof. Junjun Ni from Southeast University, Dr. Jiying Fan from Queen’s University, and Dr. Alexander Rudek from Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA) being the Honourable Mention.
Fig 3 The first “Hsai-Yang Fang Best Paper Awardees”
The successful holding of the “13th International Symposium on Environmental Geotechnology and Global Sustainable Development” has promoted the exchange and cooperation among researchers in environmental geotechnology, promoted the development of cutting-edge research in the field, and played an important role in promoting related scientific and technological innovation and talent training.
