The third edition of Arabian Tunnelling Conference and Exhibition “Innovative Underground Infrastructure – Challenges and Opportunities” organized by the Society of Engineers – UAE and in partnership with International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) has been inaugurated by Essa Al Maidoor, Deputy Director General of Dubai Municipality and President of Society of Engineers – UAE, in Grand Hyatt Hotel Dubai.
Al Maidoor opened the conference by welcoming all the Honorary & VIP Guests, delegates from government and private sectors, presidents of international engineering associations and major engineering and tunnelling companies all over the world as well as engineers and all strategic partners in tunnelling industry. Al Maidoor said “The Arabian Tunnelling Conference and Exhibition serves as an outstanding platform that connects international experts, engineers and partners in the engineering, tunnelling, and underground space industries to create innovative sustainable solutions, business opportunities and tackles the challenges and opportunities in tunnelling sector worldwide. The United Arab Emirates incessantly experiencing milestone achievements under the direction of our wise leaders His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates and Members of the Supreme Council of the Federation. UAE continues to achieve triumphs and accomplishments in the advancement of national development as UAE Vision 2021 encourages and inspires us to make the UAE amongst the best countries in the world.”
“The Society of Engineers – UAE supports ITA advocacy to encourage the use of the subsurface for the benefit of public, environment and sustainable development and to promote advances in planning, design, construction, maintenance and safety of tunnels and underground space, by bringing together information thereon and by studying questions related thereto. The role of the Society of Engineers – UAE is to provide excellent services to the engineering sector in the UAE by accrediting their qualifications to practice in the country. Our Vision is National Pioneering to engineers, gulf extension, international contact and engineering reference for the public and private sectors.”
The UAE invested heavily towards strengthening its infrastructure, tunnelling and underground space sector in the recent years to deal with the rapid population growth in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and the hosting of Expo 2020. Incessant efforts in the development of the infrastructure and tunnelling sector continues to evolve rapidly to keep pace with the growing demands in the cultural and urban evolution in the state which is supported by our leaders through launching arrays of progressive projects at the level of road networks, railway, subway tunnel projects, ports and major airports and free zones developments which depend on the most important global competitive standards and apply the concepts of sustainable development. This reflects the growing interest in achieving economic development under the protection of the environment that reduces energy consumption and optimum utilization of natural resources and greater reliance on renewable energy sources. Therefore the importance of Arabian Tunnelling Conference will recognize the key factors which guarantee and deal with these developments and may contribute to the stability of the tunnelling and underground spaces towards the continuous development that will preserve the environment and quality of life.
Mr. Olivier Vion, Executive Director of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, said “The joint partnership with the Society of Engineers – UAE in organizing the Arabian Tunnelling Conference aims to develop the tunneling industry on a global level through the convergence of specialists and experts in the field. The first day of the ATC conference has delivered an important opportunity for lectures and scientific researches provided by the government and private sector in the UAE and across the globe.”
Olivier added “Our participation and partnership in the first and second edition of the Arabian Tunnelling Conference was one of our greatest experience which give us esteemed pleasure and pride that our continuous cooperation and partnership with the Society of Engineers – UAE in organizing this important event has great addition to the development of tunneling industry in the world.”
Second Arabian Tunneling Awards, According to Eng. Essa, the second Arabian Tunnelling Awards will distinguish the notable contribution of individuals and organization in the field of tunnelling and underground space industry in the GCC and Middle East countries.
The winners for Individual category are: Eng. Chris Parsons of CH2M for Project Manager for Tunneling Projects Award and Eng. Jonathan Cottam of Gulf Rock for Tunnel Leader & Innovator Award Gulf Rock.
Awards for Organizational category: CH2M for Organization Innovation in Tunnels Award (Chhattrapati Shivaji International Airside Road Tunnel under runway 14/32 project), Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) for Sustainable Tunnels Award STEP (Strategic Tunnel Enhancement Programme project), Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) for Organizational Innovation in Underground Space Award (132kV Cable Diversion Works Through Service Tunnels ST4 & ST5 project) and COWI for Tunnel Design Award (STEP project) A Young Engineers Forum attended by nearly 200 students from various universities was also held in conjunction with the conference and exhibition. As part of the ongoing initiative of the Society of Engineers – UAE to develop the skills and expertise of the students in engineering sector, a special activities and events are offered continuously to all students which enable them to connect and network with young engineers and experts in tunnelling industry.
Source: Emirates news agency
