First International Conference on Engineering Geophysics

Welcome Note: General Manager, Al Ain City Municipality

It gives me great pleasure to invite you to Al-Ain, also known as the أ¢â‚¬إ“Garden City of the Gulfأ¢â‚¬â€Œ and the أ¢â‚¬إ“City of Oasesأ¢â‚¬â€Œ which will be hosting the 1st International Conference of Engineering Geophysics.

The future social and economic plans for Al-Ain City demonstrate that the city is entering an unprecedented construction evolution, which will be reflected in the size and quality of the buildings needed to accommodate these ambitious plans. This evolution requires taking into consideration all the necessary measures to insure the safety of the people and the constructions. The top priority is therefore the understanding of the geological and the structural nature of the ground in Al-Ain city and precisely locating the cavities and the Falajes in addition to delimiting the zones which might endanger the future constructions. The knowledge of the various ground parameters of the top layer in the different sites in the city is considered as the principle entrance to insure successful planning designs. This will prevent negative impacts on people, constructions and environment. For this reason, Al-Ain Municipality issued a decree in 2009 according to which the geophysical study is a mandatory requirement for issuing building permits of all the project sites in Al-Ain.

Your scientific contribution and participation in the conference will be an enjoyable experience in the green heart of the desert.

-Dr. Mutar Al Nuaimi

Welcome Note: Vice-Chancellor, United Arab Emirates University

On behalf of the scientific community in the UAE University, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to join us in the First International Conference of Engineering Geophysics, to be held in our university in Al-Ain, UAE.

The UAE University is the first and leading comprehensive National University in the United Arab Emirates; one of the principal and pioneering educational institutions in the area, with significant research potential and community services. The UAEU has an excellent reputation both in research and teaching. It is ranked number one in research in the Gulf region.

Since the establishment of the UAEU in 1976, the university has expanded from 4 colleges, originally, to 9 faculties now with over 12,000 students, based mainly in Al-Ain. The University employs over 700 faculty members and offers bachelor degrees, postgraduate courses, PhD programs and Continuing Education Programs for the community at large. With the continuing expansion of our New Campus in Al-Ain as well as our successful placement in recent Regional Research and World University Ranking tables, the UAEU is already showing clear evidence of its commitment to community service. Our vision is for the United Arab Emirates University to become an internationally distinguished comprehensive research university. While adhering to UAE values, it strives to become a world-class center for applied research, national and international outreach, innovation and outcome-based learning, ensuring the quality of all programs and services through international accreditation and external quality assurance reviews.

-Dr. Abdullah Al Khanbashi

Welcome Note: Conference Higher Committee Chairman

On behalf of the Local Advisory Board and the Organizing Committee, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to attend and participate in the First International Conference of Engineering Geophysics to be held in Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 11-14 December 2011. The conference focuses on different aspects of Engineering and Environmental Geophysics.

-Eng. Suhail Al Muhairi