Brief History of IRTA Due to the importance of underground space development and increase of tunneling constructions for the protection of the environment, saving of energy and fuel, shortening distance and travel time, the need was felt that an organization was required to guide and direct research and development being undertaken in Iran. Hence the Iranian Tunnelling Association (IRTA) was founded in June 1998 in order to increase awareness, train young engineers, focus on research and provide a link between universities and the industry. This Association became a national member of the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) in May 1999. IRTA founding members Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Dr. Seyyed Hasan Basir Mr. Hamid Damavandi Dr. Ahmad Fahimifar Dr. Orang Farzaneh Mr. Aghil Ghadim Dr. Morteza Gharouni-Nik Mr. Mahmoud Hojjati Mr. Hosein Kanani Moghaddam Mr. Kamal Mohammadi Mr. Abolghasem Mozaffari Dr. Kazem Najm Mr. Farzan Rafia Dr. Mohammad Hosein Sadaghiani Mr. Ahmad Shafaat Mr. Abbas Vafai Zonouz |
