Engineers Australia Event Focuses On 'Leadership And Future Of Construction'

Doha, Qatar: Engineers Australia has successfully organised a CEO Panel Discussion Event, which focused on the theme of“Leadership and the Future of Construction.”

The event, held at the National Museum of Qatar Auditorium in Doha, Qatar, brought together some of the industry's most influential leaders and innovators to share their insights and visions for the future.

The event commenced with the President of Engineers Australia Qatar Chapter Asif Rahmany, opening the evening and introducing the Master of Ceremony, Rukhsana Khan, whose dynamic presence set the tone for an evening of engaging and thought-provoking discussions.

The keynote address was delivered by the chief guest, Ambassador of Australia to Qatar H E Shane Flanagan. His speech highlighted the strong relationship between Qatar and Australia, particularly focusing on the contributions of Australian construction companies and engineers in the development of Qatar. Flanagan underscored the importance of collaboration and shared expertise between the two nations in driving forward the construction industry.

“Our commercial engagement provides a very good foundation for the bilateral relationship. It is also mutually beneficial,” Flanagan noted. He further shared that last year, two-way trade in goods and services reached more than A$3.4bn, making it the second largest for Australia in the Middle East and North Africa region.

(From left) Billie Teshich, Shaikha Athba Al Thani, Hany Farahat, Ahmad Jassim Al Muzaffar and Sindy Yong during a panel discussion at the event.

Moderator Billie Teshich followed with a speech that shed light on the contributions and achievements of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). She emphasised the critical role women play in the construction industry and the ongoing efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion within the sector.

Mohammed Ayaz, the Treasurer of Engineers Australia Qatar Chapter, then spoke about the pivotal role Engineers Australia plays in shaping the future of engineering and construction in the country. He highlighted the journey of Engineers Australia in Qatar, noting the significant milestones achieved and the recip-rocal agreement with Qatar's Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP).

This agreement facilitates mutual recognition of engineering qualifications and enhances professional mobility for engineers between the two nations.

The panel discussion featured a distinguished group of panellists, including Dr. Sheikha Athba Al Thani, a leading figure in sustainable construction and innovative engineering solutions; Eng. Hany Farahat, the CEO of Al Aali International, known for his expertise in infrastructure development and project man-agement; Ahmad Jassim Al Muzafar, Chairman of Federation of Global Engineers, a visionary in modern construction techniques and smart city initiatives; and Sindy Yong, the Operations Manager of GHD, an advocate for diversity and inclusion in engineering and construction sectors.

Each panelist brought a wealth of knowledge and unique perspectives to the discussion, enriching the dialogue on leadership and the future of construction.

The panel discussion delved into critical issues and future trends in construction leadership. Topics included sustainable building practices, the integration of advanced technologies in construction, and strategies for fostering a more inclusive and diverse industry. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the panelists during a Q&A session, fostering an interactive and insightful dialogue.

The event was well attended by industry leaders, including Nawar Chapman, CEO of Worley; Simon Alexander, Operations Director of Lulu Group; Lotfy AbdelKader, CEO of Lofty Consulting; Leslie Foster of CCC; Diana Monis, CEO of Oasis Consulting; as well as the Ambassador of Indonesia, HE Ridwan Hassan; the Ambassador of Bangladesh, HE Nazrul Islam; the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, HE Ashraf Khodjaev; and the Ambassador of Guyana, HE Sarfaraz Shadood. Their presence, along with many other industry leaders, significantly contributed to the event's success.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Heba Mandour, expressing gratitude to all speakers, panelists, and attendees for their participation and contributions. She highlighted the importance of such events in bringing together industry leaders to share knowledge and drive innovation in construction.

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