The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Concrete Institute (ACI) to enhance cooperation in improving concrete structures through exchange of information, expertise, training, accreditation and copyright.
The deal was inked at Ashghal Headquarter by H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi, President of Ashghal of the Public Works Authority and Dr. Randall Boston, President of the American Concrete Institute ACI in the presence of several senior officials from both sides.
On the sidelines of the signing ceremony of MoU, two winners of the International Concrete Construction Competition were feted with the ACI award in coordination with Ashghal, as Ashghal is the authority for nomination and evaluation of Qatar based projects that are competing to win this international reputation.
Mr. Ghanim Al Ibrahim, Executive Director of Operations at Qatar Foundation (QF) received the first position award for Qatar National Library Project of QF in the “Decorative Concrete” category. Whereas Mr. Abdulla Al Khanji, CEO of Qatar Port Management Company (Mwani Qatar) received the award for Hamad Port’s Visitor Centre, being ranked first in the category of "low rise buildings".
Objectives of MoU
The MoU signed between Ashghal and ACI aims at coordinating the enhancement of concrete works and designs through exchange of information and technical expertise, in terms of various researches and studies with copyright.
The MoU includes cooperation in joint sponsorship of conferences, workshops, trainings, qualification of technical personnel and provision of international certification in the field of concrete construction within the scope of Ashghal program for technical qualification. The MoU also aims at boosting communication between the two sides through visits and meetings in order to exchange information and technology in the field of enhancing concrete and related construction works as well as marketing of joint activities.
HE Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ expressed his delight in signing the MoU between Ashghal and ACI, stressing that the cooperation between Ashghal and international institutions like ACI is expected to enhance Ashghal’s international reputation.
The President of Ashghal further explained that the MoU with ACI comes within the framework of efforts to improve and excel the quality of concrete works through exchange of information with expert entities in the field. The MoU stipulates cooperation in the field of research and studies, organization of training workshops, qualification and training of technical personnel, as well as conducting meetings and conferences to produce working papers that will contribute in the improvement of quality of various concrete structures and enhance their efficiency.
The President of Ashghal also commented that the cooperation between Ashghal and ACI through this MoU would also open ways to promote Ashghal projects in international forums and publications to enhance Ashghal’s international reputation.
Dr. Randall Boston, President of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) said that ACI is honored to sign this MoU with the ‘Ashghal’ and expressed his hope for further cooperation in the field of concrete construction.
He pointed out that the cooperation between Ashghal and ACI will include copyright, provision of training courses approved by the Institute and holding regular bilateral meetings to update the latest means of technology in the field of concrete.
For his part, Eng. Khalid Al Emadi, Manager of Quality and Safety Department at Ashghal said that such agreements would certainly contribute in improving the quality standards in the field of concrete works, pointing to the existing great cooperation between ACI and Ashghal through Quality and Safety Department.
He also pointed to the regular meetings between representatives of Ashghal and ACI to boost exchange of experiences, and the new MoU would enhance this cooperation locally and internationally. Eng. Al Emadi clarified that as part of Ashghal's Technical Qualification Programme, the MoU includes imparting trainings to technical personnel and granting international certificates jointly accredited by ACI and Ashghal in the field of concrete construction. This accreditation will qualify the professionals in local and international market without the need to travel abroad.
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a not for profit scientific community organization that aims to develop and implement modern scientific methods in concrete manufacturing technology. In view of the continuous efforts of the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ to support the activities of ACI within Ashghal projects, the ACI branch in Qatar has been accredited and it is chaired by Eng. Khalid Al Emadi, Quality and Safety Manager at the Public Works Authority. One of the vital activities of the Qatar branch of ACI is promoting participation in international competitions and the development of concrete specifications in cooperation with specialists and members of the Concrete Institutes worldwide.