Fifteen ANA’s Officials Join Capacity Building Programme on Geotechnical Engineering Research

A total of 15 officials and staff of the APSARA National Authority (ANA) have received training related to hydrological management, soil study, and use of GPR, DCPT, and MASW in archeological sites by experts from Korea, said the authority’s news release this morning.

Mr. Jeoung Jae Hyeung, an official of the Department of Geotechnical Engineering Research at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT), said the course, conducted from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, focused on the study of soil characteristics, soil preparation, soil survey, geography, surface water-groundwater analysis, and the use of analytical tools, etc.

In addition to studying the theory, all participants went to study and practice directly at the site of the Terrace of the Elephants and the Preah Pithu Temple whose restoration projects are under the support and cooperation of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (KCHF).

Mr. Jang Cheol-Hee, a senior official at KICT’s Department of Hydro Science and Engineering Research, said that irrigation is important for each country, and even more so for high-rise countries like Korea. He added that it was a good point for Cambodia to learn about water management from Korea to gain knowledge for future development.

Regarding the condition of the water management system at the Terrace of the Elephants, Mr. Jang Cheol-Hee explained that the soil there is not very well-drained, which needs to be studied further to find a solution to avoid flooding.

One of the trainees, Mr. Lay Poti, Deputy Director of the ANA’s Department of Water, Forestry and Infrastructure Management, thought that the ANA’s staff should receive additional training that can strengthen the knowledge and methods to participate in the conservation in the Angkor area.

During these four days, he learned how to use soil compactors, and how to grind and compact soil according to the type of soil as well as to study soil types in the Angkor area, and use scanners to see the condition of the soil, sand, water system, and ancient stones left underground.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press