Educational institutions urged to play role in quake rebuilding
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—It is the time that universities and Institution of higher learning have to play a key role to reconstruct the existing infrastructure through their capabilities and research skills.
This was stated by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Adviser to Prime Minister for Science and Technology and Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) while addressing the concluding session of two days International Earthquake Rehabilitation Conference held at HEC here on Saturday.
He further stated that UET Peshawar had taken initiative in this regard and organized such a valuable conference. He further said that a task force would be formed under the supervision of Engr. Imiaz Hussain Gilani, VC, NWFP UET, Peshawar to come forward with proposals and projects for the implementation of recommendations presented by International Earthquake Engineers, Seismologists and building codes regulators.
A plan of action will be made to strictly follow these recommendations; he added. He further said that HEC and Ministry of Science and Technology will provide financial and technical assistance to university researchers and teachers for the implementation of these plans.
The recommendations drawn were based on four themes including building, seismic hazed assessment, building codes development and implementation and disaster preparedness management. It was stressed that Pakistan needs to develop National Building Code and parliament should adopt it as law, local emergency management system should be developed, public awareness for earthquake resistance and to draw tectonic map of the country as early as possible.
This conference was jointly organized by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and NWFP University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Peshawar.The theme of the conference was "Seismology, Structure s & Codes". The conference addressed four basic technical themes including seismic hazards assessment, developing building codes and disaster preparedness management and covered the four areas i.e. seismic hazard assessment, seismic vulnerability of structure, building codes and disaster management.
Foreign seismic experts including Dr. Claudius Strobbia and Dr. Andrea Penna from European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering Italy, Prof. Dr. Miha from Earthquake Engineering Institute,
Liubliana, Slovenia, Prof. Dr. Mihail Garevski from Institute of Earthquake, Engineering and Seismology, Macedonia, Engr. Saif Hussain from Earthquake Engineering Research Institute USA, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Erdik and Dr. Nuray Aydinoglu from Department of Earthquake, Engineering Bogazici University, Turkey, Dr. Bijan Khazai from Earthquake Engineering Research Institute USA and Prof. Dr. Zoran Milutinovic from Institute of Earthquake, Engineering and Seismology, Macedonia presented their technical papers in the conference. NWFP UET earthquake engineers presented technical assessment report of their survey on the affected regions.