The 2nd UKIERI Concrete Congress - Innovations in Concrete Construction is being organised at Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar on 5-8 March 2013. The Opening Ceremony of the Congress was held on 5 March 2013 in the Institute. Dr Jean-Marie Chandelle, Former Chief Executive - European Cement Association, Belgium was the Chief Guest. The Congress Chairman, Professor Ravindra K Dhir from the University of Dundee, UK welcomed the delegates. Organised by UKIERI Concrete Team of academics from several institutions, who came together in 2007 in a three year research project funded under the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), which is supported by the two respective Prime Ministers, this second UKIERI Concrete Congress is a four day event and under the theme 'Innovations in Concrete Construction' which consists of six conferences, each being dedicated to an individual judged to have made outstanding contributions to concrete science, technology, design and construction. In all 30 Opening, Keynote and Closing papers and over 200 normal papers are expected to be presented from 29 countries, with nearly 350 delegates attending the Congress. During the Opening Ceremony addresses were given by Dr S K Das Director of Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar and Dr M S Saini, Director of Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College Ludhiana.

The Chief Guest, Dr Jean-Marie Chandelle, talked on Sustainability of the Concrete/Cement Industry: The European Scene.

The Congress is sponsored by Ambuja Cement Ltd, BASF India Ltd, British Council, UltraTech Cement and M C Bauchemie Pvt Ltd.

The Congress is being held in collaboration with Institute of Civil Engineers, UK, The Institution of Structural Engineers UK, Indian Concrete Institute and Japan Concrete Institute. It also enjoys the support of several concrete societies, from Italy, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore, as well several national and international sponsoring organisations. The Deans, Heads of various Departments, members of the staff including Mr Bahadur Chand were also present.

Dr S P Singh, Congress Secretary also spoke and thanked the delegates.