Message from the President
Towards a New Chapter of Innovation, Fellowship, and Enduring Collaboration
Dear REAAA Members and Colleagues,
I am honored to address you for the first time as President of REAAA. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our colleagues in Korea for successfully hosting the 17th REAAA Conference last October. It was a major effort, and we are grateful for their dedication.
Since assuming office, I have seen many members contributing actively for the advancement of our shared mission. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that holding a position in REAAA comes with responsibility. I encourage all members to stay engaged, be responsive, and focus on the bigger picture rather than individual roles.
Over more than fifty years, REAAA has built a strong foundation for road engineering across Asia-Pacific. Our founders and early members worked under very different conditions, but with a clear sense of commitment. Their spirit was practical and forward-looking, grounded in the fundamentals established during the post-war reconstruction era.
Today, despite the rapid changes driven by digital technologies, AI, and climate challenges, these fundamentals remain relevant. REAAA’s continued success lies in its unique combination of professional friendship, diversity, and technical collaboration. To move forward, we must maintain these values while ensuring that our actions are aligned with the long-term development of the profession.
REAAA brings together members from different countries, cultures, professional backgrounds, and generations. The diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Different perspectives challenge us to think differently, improve our understanding and strengthen professional exchange. To make this effective, participation must be active, open, and constructive.
We are now in what I would call an Age of Transformation. Our direction is guided by capacity sustainability, supported by flexibility, adaptability, and collaborative efforts. In this regard, we are focusing on three main areas:
- Enhancing the TCs, including the formal establishment of six TCs
- Revitalizing YEP under a new framework
- Revisiting and involving REAAA policies and procedures to improve effectiveness
Since October, we have not stopped our efforts. We have held a series of meetings, including Steering Committee sessions for strategic planning, as well as regular engagements with the Technical Committees, the YEP, and the Secretariat to ensure alignment and progress. Key outcomes include the reactivation of the Technical Committees, progress on the REAAA Journal, and the strengthening of the
YEP platform. The Council Meeting format has also been adjusted to allow more time for discussion, planning, and active member participation.
Our goal is to strengthen REAAA’s unique role when working with other international organization. At the same time, we are preparing key deliverables for the coming four years, including technical compendiums, newsletter, journals, state-of-the-art reports in road engineering, YEP exchange programs, and the REAAA 50th Anniversary publication.
This newsletter also reflects our progress. I would like to thank all contributors for their efforts. The inclusion of technical papers and expanded content adds value and strengthens knowledge sharing within the Association.
From 21st to 24th April 2026, we will convene the 126th REAAA Council Meeting in Taipei. The program will include Technical Seminars and TC meetings aligned with industry trends, a technical visit to the Tamkang Bridge, and YEP activities to support the next generation of engineers. More importantly, this meeting will provide time for discussion and coordination, which are essential for our future development.
Looking ahead, the next four years will require clear work plans, defined schedules, and efficient coordination across all levels of the Association. With alignment and active participation, we can ensure steady progress toward our shared goals.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our VPs, TC leaders, YEP leaders, the Secretariat, CRF, and CRF Council Members for their continuous contributions and hard work.
Finally, I would like to welcome all of you to Taiwan, the Beautiful Island of Formosa, and look forward to meeting you in Taipei.