THE MALEK BOUAZZA LECTURE SERIES
Foreword
The Australasian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (ACIGS) proposed the “Malek Bouazza Lecture” series, involving a lecture by a prominent geosynthetics expert, specifically on topics related to geosynthetic systems and delivered at ACIGS’s Australia and New Zealand Conferences on Geosynthetics (GEOANZ), starting at GEOANZ#2 in Melbourne, June 2024.
Purpose of the Lecture
The Malek Bouazza Lecture was established by the ACIGS executive committee in 2024 in recognition of the invaluable contributions of Prof. Malek Bouazza to the technical advancement of all aspects of geosynthetics and his overall contribution in the development of the ACIGS.
The Lecture
The Malek Bouazza Lecture consists of a lecture (approximately one hour) presented at each GEOANZ conference and a written paper published in the proceedings of the conference.
The Malek Bouazza Lecture shall be strictly limited to topics related to geosynthetics and shall enhance the understanding and application of geosynthetics.
An ACIGS plaque or certificate shall be given to the Malek Bouazza Lecturer by the ACIGS President and the GEOANZ Conference Chair.
Criteria for Selection of the Malek Bouazza Lecturer
The criteria for selection of the Malek Bouazza Lecturer include:
(1) having demonstrated pursuit of excellence;
(2) having contributed to the development of the discipline of geosynthetics.
The Malek Bouazza Lecturer does not have to be a member of the ACIGS.
There is no restriction regarding the selection of the Malek Bouazza Lecturer.
The selection of the Malek Bouazza Lecturer is expected to achieve a good geographical balance over time, with good representation of lecturers from worldwide.
Nominations
A Selection Task Force shall be appointed by the ACIGS executive committee to identify worthy candidates and eventually select the Malek Bouazza Lecturer from among these candidates.
The Selection Task Force shall be composed of an odd number of members, with a minimum of 3. The objective of the Selection Task Force will be to solicit and facilitate nominations for the Lecturer. If available, Prof. Malek Bouazza may join deliberations as a non-voting member of the Task Force.
The Selection Task Force shall encourage nominations by ACIGS individual members, officers, ACIGS company members. In addition, nominees can be identified by Task Force members. All nominations will be routed to the Task Force chair and will be considered.
If no nomination has been received, the Selection Task Force shall make at least one nomination. The Chair of the GEOANZ Conference should personally contact the nominees to make sure they would agree to present the Malek Bouazza Lecture and write the paper.
Nominations close: 6 November 2026
Selection of the Malek Bouazza Lecturer
The Malek Bouazza Lecturer shall be selected by the Selection Task Force at least 6 months before the forthcoming GEOANZ Conference. The Task Force shall select the Lecturer based on the list of nominees.
A unanimous decision shall be sought amongst the Task Force members. Absent a consensus, a vote shall be taken. The ballot shall be secret if requested by at least one of the Task Force members. Task Force members who are also Malek Bouazza Lecture nominees shall not participate in the discussions regarding their nominations. If there is a vote, only Task Force members who are not on the ballot can participate.
The selected Lecturer shall be informed of the decision of the Selection Task Force by the Chair of the GEOANZ Conference, in coordination with the ACIGS Secretary.
The Malek Bouazza Lecturer
The Malek Bouazza Lecturer must confirm in writing to the Chair of the GEOANZ conference and to the ACIGS Secretary that he/she agrees to present the lecture orally at the forthcoming GEOANZ Conference and to prepare a paper delivered in time to be published in the proceedings of the conference. The Malek Bouazza Lecturer shall inform the ACIGS Secretary and the Organizing Committee of the GEOANZ Conference of the title of the Lecture at least 3 months before the conference.
Conference Organization
The Organizing Committee of the GEOANZ Conference must agree to include the Malek Bouazza Lecture in the conference program.
The Organizing Committee shall also agree to publish the Malek Bouazza Lecture paper at a prominent location of the proceedings of the conference, in principle at the beginning of the volumes, before the Keynote Lecture papers.
The Organizing Committee of the GEOANZ Conference must agree to use the same rules for the Malek Bouazza Lecture paper as for the Keynote Lecture papers (e.g., extra length).
The Organizing Committee of the GEOANZ Conference is encouraged to insert in the conference proceedings, before the Malek Bouazza Lecture paper, a short introduction describing the purpose of the Malek Bouazza Lecture.
Expenses
There is no honorarium for presenting the Malek Bouazza Lecture.
However, the Organizing Committee of the GEOANZ Conference shall cover the conference Registration fee of the Malek Bouazza Lecturer and the ACIGS may agree to reimburse some of the travel expenses of the Lecturer.
Post-conference Activities
Following the initial presentation during the GEOANZ Conference, the Malek Bouazza Lecture may be subsequently delivered in national events organized by the ACIGS.
Moreover, the Malek Bouazza Lecture will be proposed to Geotextiles & Geomembranes, to Geosynthetics International, and/or to other Journals for publication.
The ACIGS executive committee shall provide logistical support to facilitate presentation of the Malek Bouazza Lecture in national events and for publication in one or more Journals.
Nominations can be sent to [email protected]