XJTLU School of Science Professors Organize Inaugural Biogeotechnics Workshop at the International Geomechanics Conference

Professors from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) School of Science played key roles in organizing the first biogeotechnics workshop at the XII International Symposium on Field Monitoring in Geomechanics, held in Indore, India. The event brought together around 300 specialists from 32 countries, including scientists, engineers, and researchers.

The 1st ever workshop on biogeotechnics was jointly organized by Professor Askar Zhussupbekov (recently appointed Visiting Professor at XJTLU's Department of Health and Environmental Science, Academician of the National Engineering Academy of Kazakhstan, President of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Society, and Chair of the Asian Regional Technical Committee on Biogeotechnics (AsRTC 22)) and Dr Ankit Garg (Associate Professor at XJTLU's Department of Health and Environmental Science and Vice Chair of AsRTC 22). Prof Garg introduced the AsRTC 22 and launched the first-ever Young Biogeotechnics Group (YBG) to develop a network of young professionals working in biogeoscience research. Scholars can apply via the link (https://t.ly/CVVf8). The session featured presentations from Professor Anthony Leung (China), Professor Meghna Sharma (India), Professor Viroon Kamchoom (Thailand), and Dr Bharat Rattan (China), with additional participants attending from Turkey, Italy, the Philippines, and Poland. In a keynote lecture, Prof Zhussupbekov shared research on vibration monitoring during pile driving and its impact on buildings under complex ground conditions in Northern Kazakhstan.

Prof Garg, along with the participants of the workshop on “Biogeotechnics” at 12thISFMG

The symposium also served as a platform for strengthening international collaboration. Professor Neelima Satyam, Convenor of the Symposium from IIT Indore, and Professor Zhussupbekov have been exploring opportunities for joint supervision of PhD students and have collaborated with XJTLU on research involving biochar to improve the properties of expansive soils in Central Asia. Reflecting on the event, Professor Ankit Garg shared: "As a Vice Chair of AsRTC 22, I am pleased to share that we successfully organized the first-ever biogeotechnics workshop at this international conference. Through the excellent speakers from India, Thailand, and China, as well as participants from Turkey, Italy, the Philippines, and Poland, we showcased the role of biogeotechnics in sustainable infrastructure development and discussed further research challenges. This achievement was made possible with the support of Visiting Professor Askar Zhussupbekov. We look forward to more collaboration and progress in this field.

In addition, Dr. Garg also held meetings with industry representatives, during which they explored practical challenges in applying biogeotechnics approaches in the field. During the conference, he additionally convened a progress meeting with Mr. Rohit Vyas, a jointly supervised PhD candidate (supervisor: Prof Neelima Satyam) with whom he has collaborated on multiple publications under the auspices of XJTLU.

This initiative reflects the vision of Professor John Moraros, Dean of the XJTLU School of Science, who actively promotes international collaboration, encourages faculty to assume leadership roles in sustainability-focused fields such as biogeotechnics globally, and strengthens academia–industry interaction.

Dr Ankit Garg is delivering a keynote lecture and an introductory session on “Biogeotechnics”, as well as the newly formed Asian Regional Technical Committee on Biogeotechnics (AsRTC 22)

Prof Askar Zhussupekov (Visiting Professor at XJTLU School of Science) delivering a keynote lecture during the 12th ISFMG

Poster for Biogeotechnics Session at 12thISFMG.

Content：Dr Ankit Garg
Review：Professor John Moraros