The origins of the Tripartite Seminar can be traced back to the vision and efforts of the late Dr. Za-Chieh Moh, a distinguished figure in the geotechnical engineering community, who played an instrumental role in promoting closer professional exchange and cooperation among engineers in Taiwan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
The foundation for this collaboration was further strengthened in 2007, when the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE) and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen technical exchanges. This bilateral partnership subsequently led to successful joint geotechnical engineering seminars held in Taipei in 2009 and Kuala Lumpur in 2010, establishing a solid foundation for sustained regional cooperation.
In 2011, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) officially joined the collaboration, marking the beginning of the formal Tripartite Seminar series. Since then, the seminar has been hosted on a rotational basis by CIE, HKIE, and IEM, providing a regular platform for geotechnical engineers from the three regions to exchange professional knowledge, share practical experience, and strengthen longstanding ties within the engineering community.
Over the years, the Tripartite Seminar has continued to evolve alongside advances in geotechnical engineering. Through technical presentations, discussions, and professional interaction, it has facilitated the exchange of new technologies, engineering practices, and perspectives on the challenges facing the profession.
In 2026, the Tripartite Seminar returns to Taipei. Hosted by CIE and co-organized with the Sino-Geotechnics Research and Development Foundation, this year's seminar is held under the theme “Sustainable and Smart Geotechnical Engineering.” Building upon the spirit of cooperation initiated by the late Dr. Moh and sustained by generations of engineers from the three institutions, the seminar seeks to further strengthen professional exchange, encourage mutual learning, and foster continued collaboration in the advancement of geotechnical engineering.