DOHA: Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Shell are to launch a key Project Management Centre of Excellence in Qatar entitled 'Tafawoq', which is to focus on competence development in project management of capital projects and associated supply chain to support the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and the Chief Executive Officer of Shell Peter Voser, yesterday signed a 'Letter of Intent' to set up what would be a unique partnership between Qatar Petroleum and Shell to launch and assist in the operation of a regionally-recognised Project Management Centre of Excellence in Qatar.
The Centre will focus on competence development in project management of capital projects and associated supply chain. This initiative forms part of QP's and Shell's support of Qatar's National Vision 2030, as articulated in its Human Development and Economic Development pillars.
The name selected for the Project Management Centre is 'Tafawoq' which means 'Excellence', a press statement said yesterday.
'Tafawoq' will aim to increase the competence level of the project delivery community in Qatar at all levels. Its programme will span across the project lifecycle and will target project engineers who are involved in project management, supply chain management and project delivery. The Centre will support these professionals to achieve a sustained and competitive performance as they deliver Qatar's extraordinary capital investment programme.
'Tafawoq' is expected to launch its learning programme during the summer of 2012. To support the Centre, the partners will bring in their world-class project management knowledge and experiences to the Centre and build on the frameworks of the QP training programme and the Shell Project Academy.
The primary financial contribution will come from Shell, which has committed up to $20m over the next 10 years for this initiative.
The statement quoted Al Sada as saying: "We are delighted to be working with Shell to set up 'Tafawoq'. This is a unique partnership that builds on QP's strive to continuously enhance competence development in project management and supports the vision for Qatar of The Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. I believe the proposed Centre will provide Qataris with the opportunity to acquire the leadership and project management competencies to contribute to sustainable growth of the country."
Peter Voser added: "As long-standing strategic partners, it makes sense for Shell and QP to launch this Centre of Excellence. It will enable Shell to support Qatar in the delivery of its National Vision 2030, through sharing relevant skills and experience. Shell's project management expertise has been demonstrated by the successful construction and commissioning of Pearl GTL, and as we approach Pearl's inauguration, we are pleased to announce this initiative."
Qatar Petroleum and Shell have delivered Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) and Qatargas 4 this year, two of the world's largest projects built in Ras Laffan Industrial City, said the statement.
© The Peninsula 2011
