Tribune News Network
Doha
In a momentous celebration held at the InterContinental Beach and Spa, West Bay, Doha, the Engineers Australia Qatar Chapter (EAQC) marked its 8th anniversary with an annual gala dinner. The prestigious event featured distinguished guests, including Australian Ambassador to Qatar HE Shane Flanagan, and an esteemed lineup of dignitaries from various countries.
Addressing the gathering, the Australian ambassador highlighted Engineers Australia’s significant role in facilitating the migration process to Australia, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to recognising credentials and providing valuable information to its members.
The evening’s theme, ‘Sustainable Engineering Showcase – Building A Greener Tomorrow’, resonated with Ambassador Flanagan’s mention of Australia’s active participation in COP28, advocating for global efforts to reduce emissions and support vulnerable developing nations in adapting to climate change impacts.
Asif Rahmany, president of EAQC, delivered an insightful address, reflecting on the chapter’s journey since its establishment in 2015. Emphasising the theme, he underscored the pivotal role of engineering in advancing societies and communities towards a sustainable future.
Rahmany acknowledged and congratulated EA members who achieved Chartered status in 2023. Notably, he highlighted the Mutual Recognition Agreement between Engineers Australia Qatar Chapter and the Ministry of Municipality, which exempts Chartered Members from the ministry’s assessment exam when applying to be a registered engineer in Qatar.
Nicole Manison, deputy chief minister of the Northern Territory, Australia, conveyed her commendation to Engineers Australia Qatar Chapter in a video message during the event. Acknowledging EAQC’s alignment with the goals of Engineers Australia in Qatar, she praised their dedicated efforts, emphasising the chapter’s significant contributions to advancing the engineering profession.
A panel discussion enriched the celebration featuring Dr Abbas Al Adaway (ECG), Bassam Halabi (GHD), Shahid Siddiqui (Al Edari), and Simon Alexander (Lulu). Moderated by Billie Teshich, the discussion offered valuable insights, elevating the event with diverse perspectives from industry leaders.
Ziad Yehya’s keynote at the Engineers Australia Qatar Chapter celebration shone as a pinnacle, offering a profound insight into sustainable engineering. Representing QatarEnergy LNG, Yehya delved into real-world applications, and a comparison of sustainability today versus tomorrow, illustrating the critical role of sustainability in engineering. Beyond theoretical frameworks, he connected the dots between responsible engineering, societal well-being, and the global context.
The climax of the celebration was the presentation of Fellowship credentials and the prestigious Engineering Executive (EngExec) honour to Oussama El Jerbi. EngExec, the highest accreditation offered by Engineers Australia, recognises individuals in executive positions who demonstrate exceptional leadership and talent. This marks the first time the EngExec accolade is awarded to an individual in Qatar, underscoring El Jerbi’s outstanding career and commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.
The event was conducted by Master of Ceremony Rukhsana Khan, and concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Mohamed Abdelrahman, secretary of Engineers Australia Qatar Chapter, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, sponsors and attendees.
