The Third Regional Training Course on Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction in Cities (EVRC-3) was held in BCDM, Rajendrapur during June 9-18, 2003. The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and BRAC University organized the course, in collaboration with the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET), World Seismic Safety Initiative (WSSI) and Earthquakes and Mega-cities Initiative (EMI). The Honorable Minister for Disaster Management, Mr. Kamal Ibne Yusuf, inaugurated the course on June 9, 2003, when he acknowledged the importance and need of policy implementation and awareness building on earthquakes, and the value of courses such as EVRC-3. There were 34 participants from Bangladesh and other countries including Belgium, Nepal and Pakistan. A multi-disciplinary group of 14 resource persons were gathered from a number of countries including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Thailand and USA to present talks and share their expert knowledge and experiences relating to earthquakes. The course was interactive, with extensive discussions, exercises and also presentations by participants. There was a scope for experience sharing on a regional level particularly among South Asian countries having similar conditions and backgrounds. Because the course extended over 10 days, with many of the resource persons and participants resident at BCDM, it allowed informal interaction and learning to continue beyond the boundaries of the classroom walls. At the farewell ceremony on June 18, 2003, Professor J R Choudhury, VC of BU, presented certificates to participants. A lively 'Baul' folk music performance gave an enjoyable finale to EVRC-3.