Download April 2012 Newsletter

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The SPEA is an association of the bodies which represent engineers within countries in the Pacific Island Forum geographical region. In some countries, there is a formal body, and that body is regarded as the national chapter of SPEA. In other countries there are too few engineers to form a formal body, so the national chapter is informally constituted.

• Sustainable Development
• Engineering and the Environment
• Disaster Risk Management
• Development of Infrastructure
• Capacity Building in African and other developing countries
• Water and Food Security
• Transport
• Energy
• Other

The EU-WFEO cooperation in the Commissioner’s responsibility sector on “Maritime Affairs and Fisheries” were also discussed and WFEO President was kindly invited by the Commissioner to give a speech during the EUROPEAN MARITIME DAY 2012 “Sustainable growth from the oceans, seas and coasts: Blue Growth” at Gothenburg, Sweden, 21st of May 2012.

Mrs Damanaki was also kindly invited by the WFEO President to have a key-note speech in the 2012 World Engineers Forum on “Sustainable Construction for People”. On this occasion, EU Institutions, Structure, Operation and Policies will be presented by the Commissioner’s staff and EU experts. The special tasks and projects for the EU-WFEO cooperation shall be defined.

After this formal kick off, a plan of action will be elaborated by experts from both organizations.

E4C boasts more than 8,000 active members, with over 160 countries represented.

The site – a forum for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and innovation – is bursting with unique partnerships creating simple solutions for complex issues.  The momentum is mounting.

Be a part of the change.  Register to become a member and find out how your knowledge and skills can make a difference in contributing to solving the challenges confronting local communities.

Learn more with the Newsletter Article: “E4C at Age 1: The Best of Our Inaugural Year” By Rob Goodier

https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/2011/12/22/e4c_at_age_1_the_best_of_our_inaugural_year.html

This important event was co-organized by ECCE (European Council of Civil Engineers) and ECEC (European Council of Engineering Chambers).

A high level audience of more than 110 participants included MEPs, Ambassadors, high level staff of the European Commission DGs and other EU Institutes, the Leadership of European and National Engineering Organizations.

The EU Commissioner, Mrs. Maria Damanaki, Mr Adel Al Kharafi, president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, the former Member of the European Parliament, the former Hungarian Ambassador to Austria, the Government Commissioner for the Danube Strategy, the Head of the Unit for Free Movement of Professionals / European Commission and other important personalities constituted the keynote speakers and lecturers in this meeting.

The event is considered a landmark in ECCE evolution as it underlines the visibility of the engineering profession and its critical role and contributions to the public and to the citizens’ quality of life. A strong message was sent to the EU decision makers and to the European society. The representatives of EU Institutions (European Commission, European Parliament) also announced the general frame of the forthcoming revisions concerning professional qualifications and Public Procurement Directives.

Presentations including the introductory speech of the WFEO President Mr Adel Al Kharafi can be seen on:

http://www.ecceengineers.eu/news/2011/1st_european_enginners_day.php?id=41

1. Gazi İpek- Chairman of the Organizing Committee.

2. Prof. Dursun Koçer- Rector of İstanbul Kültür University.

3. Mehmet Soğancı-President of Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects

4. Cengiz Göltaş-President of  Chamber of Electrical Engineers

5. Mr. Taner Yıldız- Minister of Energy & Natural Resources.

During the ceremony, there was an event of exchange of souvenirs and gifts.

Eng. G. Prabhakar-Past President of IEI extended his gratitude to Eng. Adel Al Kharafi for his presence and attendance in this event.

On 16th of December was held a  WFEO Meeting hosted by Eng. Adel Al Kharafi with following Attendees:

1. Eng. Adel Al Kharafi- WFEO President

2. Eng. Marwan Abdel Hamid-President Elect WFEO

3. Eng. B. J. Vasoya- Advisor of WFEO President

4. Eng. John H. Lin-CIE President, Taiwan

5. Eng. Maj R K Sanan- IEI Secretary General, India

6. Eng. Tai Sik Lee- KSCE President, Korea

7. Eng. Anand Ranasinghe-IES President, Srilanka

8. Eng. Mahendra Gurung-NEA President, Nepal

9. Mr G Prabhakar, IEI President, India

10. Mr S L Garg, IEI President-Elect, India

11. Mr R P Gupta, WFEO Vice President, India

12. Mr Pradeep Chaturvedi, Vice Chair, WFEO Committee on Energy

Eng. Adel Al Kharafi discussed with the above attendees regarding the main focuses of Engineering Education Development as well as the difficulties and complications faced by the certificated individuals that apply for job opportunities in the Gulf region.

The discussion yield to the notion of signing an agreement with the Asian countries focusing on the exchange of information and knowledge related to the engineering education and the evaluation of higher level education.

In the duration of the meeting B.J Vasoya took the opportunity to thank Eng. Adel Al Kharafi for appointing him as one of his advisors for WFEO.

He presented WFEO as the international non-governmental organization representing the engineering profession worldwide that was founded in 1968 by a group of regional engineering organizations, under the auspices of UNESCO, a respected and valuable source of advice and guidance on the policies, interests and concerns that relate to engineering and technology to human and natural environment.

Leaving the technical issues for discussions during the specialized sessions of the symposium, Eng Abdelhamid made a few remarks regarding energy and energy planning, mentioning that the era of inexpensive energy has been over for
sometimes which means that both industrial and developing countries are forced to enter a new era involving new energy mixes and energy consumption patterns.

The future options for more energy supply are numerous. In the case of developing countries the option to move towards nuclear energy is not rational because of the technology and the capital required. Large hydro-power projects are
possible but the large capital required and the fact that potential rivers cross several countries pose many difficulties. Furthermore, future expansion in the use of fuel-wood should not only be prevented, but it should be curbed down. All this points to the fact that renewable energy such as, hydro-power, solar and wind energies are among the best rational options.

As the new Middle East region starts to take shape, it is moving towards a new path seeking political and economical solutions involving multilateral and regional cooperation. The economic issues involved here can no longer be treated one by one in isolation of others. Thus, the long-lasting solutions and prosperity in this region can only come true if the components of energy, water, environment, democracy, refugees, disarmament, mass demographic movements and labor, including labor compensatory facilities can be treated as interactive components of one regional system where the whole region takes a share in providing the necessary input for development.

Meeting the world’s growing demand on energy services and at the same time addressing serious concerns about greenhouse gas contributions to the climate change are enormous challenges today. This has been realized in September 2011 by the WFEO in what is now known as “WFEO-Geneva Declaration.” In summary, the Declaration includes the following four points:

 1-To guarantee a good quality of life for everyone, all available energy sources must be considered. Grater energy efficiency will slow down growth in energy demand but will entail costs that are not necessarily negligible.

 2-The use of any given technology requires a thorough analysis of the technological, economical, and environmental feasibility of implementing scientifically sound and efficiently engineered solutions.

 3-The technologies we need to supply energy for substantially improving global quality of life are available or at an advanced stage of development or are currently being demonstrated. The goal is to secure a low-carbon energy supply. If the
+2-degree C (degree centigrade) target is to be met, it is important that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions-and CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions in particular- be drastically reduced during the production and consumption of different forms of energy.

 4-Switching to a low-carbon economy will take substantial investment and time. In transport sector, modifying unsustainable energy consumption patterns will necessitate difficult social adjustments.

 Eng. Abdelhamid wished the organizers and participants success and indicated that WFEO stands ready to help in any way.

Eng. Adel Kharafi made a short presentation of WFEO, its goals and its objectives. He highlighted the importance of the engineers’ contributions to the development of science, engineering and technology worldwide and added that international
cooperation in these fields is essential to the benefit of the society.

The honorary guests and the supporting organizers were introduced and an award ceremony took place.

Finally, the President discussed with Prof. Tai Sik Lee on how to enhance cooperation between WEFO and KSCE.

The former minister, Sadok Ben Jemaa, (81 years), died Friday morning 18th of November  in Tunis after a long illness.

He is originally from Djerba and founded Ben Jemaa Motors, BMW dealer in Tunisia.

Primarily holding the engineering degree from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, he was elected president of the World Council of Engineers. His active participation in civil society, scientific bodies and the sports movement, Sadok Ben Jemaa was founder and president of the Tunisian Olympic Club (TOC) and the League of May 2 Development of the South, President of the Club of Exporters and the High Commission of Scientific Research

A founder of modern Tunisia, the late Ben Jemaa was Secretary of State for Social Affairs in the 70′s, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Minister.

Founder of the South Bank, CEO of public companies before establishing his consulting firm, Chairman of the Tunisian Order of Engineers and several times Minister (Infrastructure, Transport, Social Affairs), daring to defy Bourguiba to join after the Congress of Monastir in 1971 the group of Democrats, he always enjoys esteem and consideration.

He was also proudly announced as the President of World Federation of Engineering Organization from the 1975 to 1987. And later, he also kept an assuring continuous support where he shared his knowledge and experience with the upcoming President of WFEO. Mr. Ben Jemaa showed immense interested in the activities and working of WFEO till the end of life. On account of his great personality and expertise, the member of the Executive Council still recall his courageous attendance of the last meeting in Geneva, in spite of his illness.

His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, November 19 2011 at 11 am at the cemetery Djellaz in Tunis.

In these painful circumstances, the team at World Federation of Engineering Organization would like to present to the family of the deceased its much sincere condolences.

The first presentation of the WFEO Medal OF Engineering Excellence) was made in September 1989 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, during the 12th General Assemble of WFEO. The Medal was to be presented biennially hereafter, helping direct world attention to the practice, theory and public contributions of engineering.

The recipient is chosen based on his or her noteworthy contributions to the practice, theory, or public status of engineering. Selection also takes into consideration the appreciable experience in the profession, international standing as well as significant educational accomplishments.

 The winner of the MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION is Prof. Wlodzimierz Miszalski from Poland

The first presentation of WFEO Medal for Excellence in Engineering Education was made in Madrid, Spain, in November 1999, during the 18th General Assembly of WFEO. The Medal was to be presented biennially hereafter, helping direct world attention to the importance of continuing improvement in the quality, delivery and relevance of engineering education and training.

The recipient is chosen based on his or her noteworthy contributions to the improvement of engineering education. Special consideration is also given to outstanding services rendered by educators to engineering educational institutions, and to those involved in the education of engineers. Selection also takes into account appreciable experience in the profession as well as significant educational accomplishments.

 The winner of the Hassib J. Sabbagh Award for Engineering Construction Excellence is Dr. Riad Zakhem from the US

The purpose of this Award is to direct world attention to the role of engineering in sustainable development. The Consolidated Contractors (CCC), under the leadership of late Hassib J. Sabbagh, gave the World Federation of Engineering  Organizations (WFEO) responsibility for organizing the Hassib J. Sabbagh Award for Engineering Construction Excellence. This Award was instituted in 2002 by the initiative and endowment of late Hassib J. Sabbagh who devoted many years of concern and effort in the area of engineering and construction.

This year’s award recognized the noteworthy contributions in the field of innovative wind power or solar power by an engineer or team of engineers on the basis of participation in the planning, development or construction of a successful project.