Prof (Dr) Varinder S. Kanwar is the Vice Chancellor, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, India. With a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, M.E. in Structural Engineering from Thapar University Patiala, Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development from IGNOU, Dr. Varinder S. Kanwar carries more than 28 years of Research, Teaching and Administrative Experience. He is a fellow of Institution of Engineers (India) and Senior Member of IEEE, Life Member of ISTE, ICI, IGS, and IRC. He has written 8 books, 65 research papers in National and International Journals, 17 research papers in conferences. He has guided 3 M.E. and 7 Ph.D. students, filed 9 patents in India, completed 4 with, 7 ongoing government funded research projects worth more than 2 Crores INR. His major research areas are Health Monitoring of Structures, Sustainable Civil Engineering Materials and Practices, Environmental Engineering and Alternate Construction Materials. Dr Kanwar has received several awards from State and National Bodies.Dr Sanjay Kumar Shukla is a world-renowned expert in Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering. He is Founding Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering, Springer Nature, Switzerland, and Founding Research Group Leader (Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering) at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Perth, Australia. He holds the Distinguished Professorship of Civil Engineering at nine universities, including Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai and Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India. He has over 25 years of experience in teaching, research, consultancy, administration/management, and professional engagement. He is registered Chartered Professional Engineer in Civil and Geotechnical Engineering, Engineers Australia, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Engineer in Civil Engineering, and International Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering, International Engineering Association. He collaborates with several world-class universities, research institutions, industries and individuals on academic and field projects. As a consulting geotechnical engineer, he has successfully provided solutions to the challenging field problems faced by many engineering organisations. He has authored more than 290 research papers and technical articles, including over 185 refereed journal publications. He is also an author/editor of 24 books, including 7 textbooks and 23 book chapters. During 2020-2022, his ICE textbooks, namely Core Principles of Soil Mechanics and Core Concepts of Geotechnical Engineering, have been ranked #1 by Amazon. His research and academic works have been cited well. Shukla’s generalized expressions for seismic active thrust (2015) and seismic passive resistance (2013) are routinely used by practising engineers worldwide for designing the retaining structures. Shukla’s wraparound reinforcement technique, developed during 2007–2008, is a well-established sustainable ground improvement technique. He is among the top 2% researchers in his field for single-year 2020 impact at the global level, as Elsevier published the list in 2021. He has been honoured with several awards, including 2021 ECU Aspire Award by the Business Events Perth, Australia, and the most prestigious IGS Award 2018 by the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), USA, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development and use of geosynthetics. He serves on the editorial boards of several international journals. He is a fellow of American Society of Civil Engineers and Engineers Australia, a life fellow of Institution of Engineers (India) and Indian Geotechnical Society, and a member of several other professional bodies.Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra is an academic and researcher with experience in water management; environmental management; environmental reporting; data management; and policy analysis. He also has over 20 years of teaching, training and project experience in Australia and India. Harpreet has demonstrated experience of working in many projects involving multi-disciplinary teams. He has published over 60 papers, reports and conference publications. He has been awarded scholarships to pursue research degree at Monash University on storm-water treatment and management. Harpreet has a Chartered Engineer status in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering from Engineers Australia. He also received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Contributions to Student Learning at Federation University Australia, 2020. Harpreet also works with several community groups in Melbourne on aspects of environment, waste management and social cohesion and was the Australian Citizen of the Year in Cardinia Shire Council in 2019. He has been inducted in the 1st Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll, 2022.Dr Siby John is presently Professor of Civil Engineering and Deputy Director at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. Dr John has more than 35 years of academic and research experience. From 2004 – 06, Dr John worked as Dean of Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar.Prof John has authored more than 100 peer reviewed articles including original research papers and book chapters. He has more than 150 publications in Conferences and Seminars. He has also authored 4 books in the field of ‘Environmental Pollution/Engineering’. Dr John has received several awards and scholarships. He is the recipient of the prestigious Rekha Nandi and Bhupesh Nandi Best Paper Award for his publication in the Environmental Engineering Journal of the Inst. of Engineers India in 2007 – 08. He is also recipient of the Eminent Environmental Engineer award for his eminence and contribution to the profession of Environmental Engineering in the year 2015 and distinguished faculty award in 2016. He has edited a special issue of the International Jr, of Environmental Science and Engineering on “Environment and Infrastructure”. He is currently the Chairperson of the State Environmental Assessment Committee of Chandigarh.
