The Public Works Authority 'Ashghal' and the Qatar Scientific Club have held a press conference to announce the 2nd edition of the 'Future Engineer' Programme, with Al Jazeera Media Institute participation as a media partner. The programme aims to familiarize students with various engineering disciplines to guide them through the process of choosing their own. This is by offering various workshops on different engineering disciplines with an explanation to their importance and advantages. The programme allows students to gain insight on the engineering disciplines of all fields practically and interactively and it contributes to their decision-making process when it comes to choosing their engineering field. In addition to encouraging students to explore the different engineering fields, in line with the market requirements.
There are two stages for the programme. The first stage is where the students are introduced to the mechanisms of working in laboratories and the departments of the Public Works Authority 'Ashghal' over five days. On the first day of its first stage, the programme will address an overview of Ashghal and its role in infrastructure development and familiarize the participants with the importance of project management and planning, including the objectives and scope identification. On the second day, the participants will take part in a discussion session on risk management and its importance in project management and project implementation plans which includes team management and progress monitoring, with an hour of brainstorming for participants to identify and address significant problems facing Ashghal.
On day 3, participants will make a field visit to a site to learn how to apply project management principles in working life, and then debrief information and results on site visits and discuss how to adopt project management principles in different projects and contexts. On day 4, the Engineering Services Department will familiarize participants with the contractual procedures from pre-contract to post-contract management. Finally, the participants will learn about IT engineering, and Quality and Safety management and its role in Ashghal's projects, and training in the Laboratories Section (Environmental Laboratory Unit and Building Materials Laboratory Unit).
In the second stage of the programme, participants will be introduced to the laboratories of QSC over four days and in each of the QSC laboratories and workshops. Participants will be able to apply what they have learned to miniature structures for some engineering projects that are being carried out in different locations. Participants will work on the design of prototypes and thus the construction of the three-dimensional basic building materials and their connectivity to electronic devices.
Mr. Abdulla Saad Al Saad, Manager of the Public Relations, and Communications Department at Ashghal stated: “the 'Future Engineer' programme reflects the social responsibility of Ashghal, through which we will be able to provide our knowledge and expertise to our students through its different aspects and introduce them to different engineering disciplines in Ashghal practically in different programme stages, and in several Ashghal departments and sections. The programme was designed to be in line with the abilities and capabilities of our students and motivate them to think creatively, where the focus during the programme stages will be on practice and the use of modern technology to encourage students to implement projects and find solutions to potential challenges during the implementation."
He added: “In Ashghal, we are always pleased with these partnerships with QSC and with various entities in the country to develop the skills of our students and introduce them to various engineering disciplines, in order to prepare a new generation of distinguished engineers."
Eng. Abdulrahman Saleh Khamis, QSC Deputy Executive Director explained: “We are fully ready to welcome participants to implement their practical projects in QSC laboratories, that were designed for the implementation of modern technological projects, to match the aspirations of the young people and enables them to simulate the reality of work when they graduate and work in engineering fields. On behalf of the QSC we would like to thank the Public Works Authority for their support and interest in this programme, and its cooperation with all existing possibilities to be a high-level programme in the field of engineering knowledge, believing in the importance of empowering the future generation. We would also like to thank the Ministry of Sports and Youth for its continuous support for all QSC activities.
Ms. Shaikha Ahmed Basahel, Head of the Training and Organizational Development Section at Ashghal stated: “Ashghal is keen to encourage the students to choose engineering as a major, and this is reflected through the 'Future Engineer' programme that will be held in cooperation with QSC in July. It is worth noting that the programme will include training workshops and field visits to on-going projects to introduce the students to the nature of Ashghal's work and its projects.
Ms. Eman Al Obaidie, Manager of The Public Relations and Communications Department at QSC explained: “The programme plays a leading role in shaping the future of the young generation and in acquiring professional practical skills through field experience within Ashghal, and through practical projects to be implemented by participants in QSC laboratories and workshops."
Student Amna Al Saada, a participant in the first edition of the programme expressed the role of the programme in helping her choose her engineering discipline, as she is looking forward to witnessing positive outcomes from the second edition of the programme.