Message from Founding President iSMARTi
Welcome,
The 8th International Conference MAIREPAV-8 in Singapore follows the tradition
of prior MAIREPAV conferences on pavement engineering and
management. I had the privilege to attend the 2000 inaugural symposium in São
Paulo, Brazil that was organized by Professors João Merighi and Rita Fortes who
also co-chaired the 2001 conference with Professors Ray Brown and Waheed
Uddin in Auburn, Alabama. This historical gathering of pavement experts from
31 countries worldwide culminated in pledges for future series of conferences in
Europe and the United States, as well as the establishment of the International
Journal of Pavements.Professor Paulo Pereira organized the 2003 conference in
Guimarães, Portugal, and named it MAIREPAV3 for all topics related to pavement maintenance and
rehabilitation and technological control. This memorable venue also established the scholarly society
iSMARTi that became the patron of this successful conference series bringing together worldwide pavement
engineering professionals and academia. I had the distinct honor to serve as the Founder President
of iSMARTi until 2007 together with the society secretariat led by Professor Paulo Pereira. The 2016
MAIREPAV8 conference venue was announced by iSMARTi President Professor Fwa at the 2012
Auckland conference in New Zealand.
The 2016 MAIREPAV8 conference in Singapore has brought together all past conference leaders and worldwide academics, researchers, consultants, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, and construction industry exhibitors. During the MAIREPAV8 conference distinguished speakers and delegates from around the world will present scholarly papers and discuss the recent progress in research and field applications of pavement technologies for roads and airports. The delegates will network with their peers and interact with industry professionals.
Singapore is the leading business and technology center in Asia. I attended the road and airport conference here in 1995 which was chaired by Professor Fwa, lectured at airport pavement summit in 2010, and always enjoyed my visit. Singapore has been the first city to implement many transportation innovations from congestion pricing on roads and serving as a shipping port hub in ASEAN region to making aviation history by starting the giant A-380 airliner service. I hope that you all will enjoy visiting the many attractions across this friendly city, wonderful hospitality, and variety of delicious cuisine.
I respect and admire Professor Fwa as the world’s leading pavement engineer. I am delighted to collaborate for the 2016 MAIREPAV8. My best wishes for a great conference.
Dr. Waheed Uddin
Founder President iSMARTi
Professor of Civil Engineering
Director of Center for Advanced InfrastructureTechnology (CAIT)
University of Mississippi
http://www.olemiss.edu/projects/cait/