MEED, a primary source of business intelligence for the Middle East, today named a six-member jury panel selected from the Society of Engineers in all GCC countries for the inaugural Quality Awards for Projects 2010.
The jury panel includes Abdul Majeed Al-Gassab, President of the Bahrain Society of Engineers; Dr Matar-Ali Almutairi, Kuwait University, Kuwait Society of Engineers; Engineer Sulaiman Al-Hudhaili, Secretary General of the Oman Society of Engineers; Ahmad Jassim Al-Jolo, Chairman of the Qatar Society of Engineers; Ghazi Alahmadi, Secretary General of the Saudi Council of Engineers; and Engineer Rashad Bukhash, Director of the Architectural Heritage Department at Dubai Municipality.
Experts in their respective fields, the independent judging panel will adopt a stringent set of criteria to evaluate and select only the highest quality projects. Entities from across the GCC region are invited to register for the awards on www.meedawards.com before 22 July.
The Quality Awards for Projects 2010 will serve as a multinational merit-based approach to benchmarking best practices in the region’s construction projects. It will also aim to promote values that create the best environment for improvement in business and industry, as well as social and cultural arenas.
Edmund O’Sullivan, Chairman of the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, said: “We are honoured to name the elite panel of judges, who are professionals and independent members from the Gulf Engineering Forum and the Society of Engineers. These specialists will bring a unique combination of expertise to the task. Recognising projects within their respective countries for excellence and best practice is a responsibility that these experts are adequately qualified to accomplish.”
O’ Sullivan added:“We are not just looking for iconic buildings; it is the essential infrastructure and innovations that need to be rewarded for their part in building the GCC from the ground up. It is about the nuts and bolts of the operation as well as the headline making projects.”
The MEED Quality Awards for Projects will in addition recognise the overall winner of winners, while an Outstanding Achievement of the Year will also be awarded to an individual who has contributed to best practice over the previous year and endeavoured to push for premium quality and higher industry standards.
Mr al-Hudhaili, Secretary General, Society of Engineers, Oman said: “I am delighted to be part of the judging panel for this exciting event. There are a number of excellent projects that have been recently completed in the region and deserve to be recognised. These awards will encourage industry leaders to look closely at raising industry benchmarks further while awarding the best performers.”
The awards will have 11 categories including Oil and Gas Project of the Year, Best Industrial Project, Power and Water Desalination Project, Water Reuse Project, Leisure and Tourism Project; Transport and Logistics Project, Road Project, Mixed Development Project; Social Project, Building Project, and Best Sustainable Project for 2010.
The criteria for the awards will focus on specific questions relating to the project development and execution in each category. However, the judges will be looking for demonstrable examples and descriptions in the key areas of economic and social feasibility, architecture and design, engineering, construction procurement and project / programme management, environmental impact and sustainability. The evaluation will be strict and transparent, giving careful consideration to the questions posed. On its part, MEED will ensure that the information provided is clear, concise and accurate.
For more information, please visit www.meedawards.com
