HYDERABAD: Speakers at a moot on Thursday called for avoiding further destruction of mother nature through implementation of sustainable development goals.

They were addressing the inauguration ceremony of a three-day ‘International Conference on Sustainable Development in Civil Engineering’ held at the main auditorium of Mehran University of Engineering Technology (MUET) Jamshoro, organised by the department of civil engineering.

Speaking as chief guest, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) chairman Jawed Salim Qureshi said engineers, especially belonging to civil trade, played an important role in the development of countries like Japan and Singapore.

He regretted that engineers of Pakistan could not be given the required position and status thus far.

“War could be waged on water tomorrow and we as experts need to conduct research on efficient use of water and find solution to this impending matter,” he said.

He said the PEC would get “the engineering services cadre 2017” approved by the federal government and give position to engineers as per demand. He said the US was working on Washington Accord where there were hundreds of thousands of jobs created. He stressed that local engineers must meet that main criterion.

“The term ‘sustainable development’ reminds us that so far we have destroyed our planet in the name of development. To avoid further destruction, we need practices in such a way that civil engineering development continues without further destroying the environment,” MUET civil engineering department chairman and conference host Prof Dr Aneel Kumar said.

He said there were over 500 registered participants and speakers from Japan, UK, Malaysia, Egypt, Turkey, Thailand and other states at the moot.

MUET Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Aslam Uqaili said that after every two years, a conference on this topic would be organised. Engineers from all over the world would discuss modern techniques and changes in civil engineering with their local counterparts, he said.

He said an engineering club would be established at MUET where eminent engineers could meet each other and exchange views as usual. He said the varsity allocated some acres of land for this purpose while the PEC would provide funds in this respect.

“We need those engineers who can help generate job opportunities. We should take up responsibility on our shoulders instead of putting burden over others,” he said.

Explaining objectives of the moot, MUET Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Tauha Hussain Ali said international and national experts would present their research papers on various topics, including efficient use of water, environment-friendly buildings, drainage, urban planning, structural and environmental engineering, construction of tall buildings and others.

Dean faculty of architecture and civil engineering Prof Dr Khan M. Brohi thanked all participants of the moot.

VCs of NED University Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi and Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam Dr Mujeebuddin Sahrai also attended the moot.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2017