During the Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) and Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Advanced Materials for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Ashfaque Ahmed, a dedicated PhD candidate at UiT Narvik, made significant progress in advancing concrete design for hazardous waste management applications. 

As part of the Innovation in Concrete Design for Hazardous Waste Management Applications (ICONDE) project, Ashfaque Ahmed presented a scientific poster titled ''Investigating the Influence of Oil Shale Ash and Basalt Composite Fibres on the Interfacial Transition Zone in Concrete.'' This research focused on investigating the interfacial transition zone in concrete, particularly between basalt fibres and paste, when incorporating Oil Shale Ash.

The GRS took place over two days, while the GRC extended for five days, offering an immersive program featuring premier talks, diverse speakers, and discussion leaders from institutions worldwide. Poster sessions and conference sessions at the conference covered a spectrum of topics, including binder innovation, mixture proportioning, structural engineering, construction innovation, end-of-life resource management, and automation. These discussions underscored the necessity of synergizing material science and construction methodologies to achieve ambitious carbon reduction goals in the construction industry.

Reflecting on his experience, Ashfaque shared insights gained from the conference, stating, "The GRC provided a unique opportunity to engage with leading researchers and companies in sustainable concrete development, exchange ideas with fellow Ph.D. candidates and Postdocs, and explore collaborative avenues." He emphasized the alignment of the conference's focus on sustainable infrastructure with our commitment to sustainable construction practices.

Ashfaque's participation in the Gordon Research Seminar and Conference highlights UiT's dedication to advancing sustainable infrastructure development through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research.