On 1st week of Asoj 2079, a team of Japanese researchers visited Khwopa Engineering College for a joint study with the college. The Japanese team of five included Associate Professor Nobuo Takai from Hokkaido University, Assistant Professor of Kyushu University Michiko Shigefuji and three undergraduate and post-graduate students of earthquake engineering at Hokkaido University.
Principal Er. Sujan Maka welcomed the team to the college. While expressing his thanks Principal Maka said looks forward to collaborative research and study in the future as well. Likewise, Assoc. Prof. Takai expressed his pleasure to have this kind of collaborative study and assured that it will continue in the future.
During the week, Postgraduate Department of Earthquake Engineering and the Japanese team jointly carried out microtremor survey at different places in Bhaktapur as well as Changunarayan Temple premises. The microtremors are small ambient vibrations of the ground caused by human or natural phenomenon. The observation of microtremor can provide valuable information on the dynamic properties of the site which in turn can be applied for earthquake disaster mitigation study. The result of the survey will be helpful for the study of earthquake vulnerability of heritage structures.
Associate Professor Takai also gave a lecture to students of ME Earthquake Engineering on the various aspects of earthquake engineering and difference between earthquake disasters in Nepal and Japan. Assoc. Professor Takai has worked extensively in the field of seismology and earthquake engineering. He is also interested in Kathmandu Valley and its sediment response during earthquake.
The team from Khowpa Engineering College included Dr. Subeg Bijukchhen, Er. Amit Prajapati, Er. Chirag Pradhananga, Er. Dinesh Sakhakarmi, and ME in EQ first year students.