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North American conference tour in pipeline for UEL engineering expert

Thursday 14 September 2006

A University of East London (UEL) pipeline technology expert is to embark on a North American conference tour after being awarded a travel grant by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Professor DC Wijeyesekera will fly to Canada on September 24 to present a paper at the 6th International Pipeline Conference in Calgary, before heading on to the Plastic Pipes XIII Conference in Washington DC.

His paper focuses on the use of rocker pipes to alleviate the distress in pipelines caused by differential ground movement.

He said: “I am very grateful to have received this grant from the Royal Academy of Engineering, as it provides a wonderful opportunity for me to share my learning and keep up-to-date with the work of leading pipeline technology experts from around the world.

“Maintaining and upgrading the networks of underground pipes that carry our water, gas, sewage and electrical cables is a matter of urgent concern, and the development of safe, sustainable technologies and materials is vital if we are to protect our environment for future generations.”

Professor Wijeyesekera has lectured and researched in Civil Engineering at UEL’s School of Computing and Technology for over 31 years, earning an international reputation and publishing numerous influential papers on the subjects of soil mechanics and pipeline technology.

Working with colleagues at the Centre of Pipeline Technology and Network Management, Professor Wijeyesekera has helped establish UEL as one of the UK’s leading research centres in an increasingly important field.

He has also worked as a consultant on numerous civil engineering projects in the UK and overseas and has conducted research into pipe-ground interactions using a high-tech scanning electron microscope.

Professor Wijeyesekera, who lives in Redbridge, is originally from Sri Lanka and is a voluntary adviser for the reconstruction effort there following last year’s Tsunami.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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