ICE President Richard Coackley visited the UAE in October as part of his Presidential tour to the Middle East region where he also attended the ICE’s 3rd MEA Convention in Dubai.
In the days leading up to the main convention, the President, as well as the ICE Director of Membership, David Lloyd-Roach, took the opportunity to visit a number of other organisations and locations, in order to build relationships and learn more about the civil engineering achievements and challenges in the UAE.
Monday 15 Oct began with a meeting with the Society of Engineers-UAE with whom the ICE has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU is designed to allow both institutions to share knowledge, host joint events and build a long-lasting relationship that will benefit all their members.
This was then followed by a visit to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) which was hosted by RTA Chairman, H.E. Mattar Al Tayer who visited the ICE in London in 2011. In the afternoon, the President visited the Dubai branch of Heriot Watt University which has recently moved to its new premises and discussed a range of educational issues with the Dean, as well touring the campus and talking to many of the students of the civil engineering faculty. The evening comprised of a fascinating guided tour of the Burj Khalifa (the tallest tower in the world), as well as the world famous Dubai Fountain, with special access to the underground tunnel network, pump rooms and control tower. The evening was rounded off with a dinner with local UAE Committee
Tuesday 16 Oct began with a site visit to Masdar City in Abu Dhabi followed by visits and meetings at the Department of Transport, lunch with the Chargé D'Affaires at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, a meeting with the British Council, a site visit to Khalifa Port and an audience with H.H. Sheikh Nayan, the UAE Minster of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The day concluded with a visit to the Higher College of Technology, Abu Dhabi, to observe an ICE/PCE (Professional Chartered Engineers Group), Professional Reviews Preparation Seminar.