Doha, Qatar – The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Qatar recently hosted its Annual Gala Dinner, bringing together prominent figures in the country’s rapidly evolving civil engineering sector. The event, held recently in Doha, served as a platform to recognize outstanding achievements and discuss the future of infrastructure development in Qatar, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.
Attended by regional leaders including ICE Middle East Chair Mark Jamieson and Regional Director Ray Alredha, the dinner celebrated the professionals driving Qatar’s ambitious building projects. The gala acknowledged both past accomplishments – notably the infrastructure built for the FIFA World Cup – and the nation’s ongoing transition towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future. Recognized attendees included newly chartered and fellow members, as well as senior engineers Eng. Jaber Hamad Al Marri and Eng. Salem Al Marri.
Qatar’s Civil Engineering Future: Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Qatar has undergone a massive infrastructure transformation in the last decade, a period largely spurred by preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This development included constructing state-of-the-art stadiums, an expanded metro system, new roadways and the Hamad International Airport. Now, as the country looks beyond the sporting event, the emphasis is shifting towards ensuring the longevity and environmental responsibility of these assets.
Mark Jamieson, ICE Middle East Chair, highlighted the pivotal role of sustainability in this new phase. He commended the Qatari engineering community for its professionalism and its contributions to globally significant projects, noting the need to align strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. According to Jamieson, this also includes embracing digital technologies to improve project delivery and asset management.
The call for a more sustainable approach is echoed by Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental protection and responsible resource management. This national strategy is driving initiatives such as green building standards, water conservation programs, and the development of renewable energy sources. These advancements require skilled engineers proficient in sustainable design and construction practices.
Recognizing Leadership and Professional Development
The ICE Annual Gala Dinner also serves as an important event for recognizing the contributions of individual engineers and promoting professional growth within the field. Newly qualified Chartered and Fellow members were formally inducted, acknowledging their dedication to maintaining high standards of competence and ethical conduct.
Dr. Khaled Alnass, ICE Qatar Chair, emphasized the critical contributions of sponsors, partners, and the engineers themselves to Qatar’s successes. He pointed to the country’s “maintain smart” priorities indicating a focus on using technology and data to optimize the performance and lifespan of existing infrastructure.
Beyond individual achievements, the event underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the construction industry. ICE Qatar plays a key role in facilitating these interactions through workshops, training programs, and networking opportunities.
The organization of the event was largely attributed to ICE Qatar Country Representative Dr. Lavinia Melilla and the dedicated efforts of the ICE Qatar Committee. Their work ensures that the event continues to be a significant touchstone for the Qatari engineering establishment.
The increasing focus on digital transformation also presents opportunities for engineers to enhance their skills in areas like Building Information Modeling (BIM), data analytics, and artificial intelligence. These technologies are expected to play an increasingly prominent role in optimizing project efficiency, reducing costs, and improving the overall quality of infrastructure.
Looking ahead, ICE Qatar will likely continue to prioritize initiatives supporting sustainable development, digital adoption and professional advancement within the community. The specific timeline for implementing new sustainability standards within Qatar’s infrastructure projects remains subject to governmental approvals and industry adoption, although a continued emphasis is anticipated. Monitoring the progress of Qatar’s “maintain smart” agenda and its integration with emerging technologies will also be key.