Coastal engineering issues to underscore value of commercial & academic links at Dubai Engineering Challenges 2008 - event to mark opening of HCT Centre of Engineering Excellence
The rapidly changing coastlines of the Middle East and the unique engineering problems they create will be highlighted at a special one-day conference being held on April 14 at the Higher Colleges of Technology - Dubai Men's College campus.
Dubai in particular has witnessed a number of remarkable coastal engineering projects, which in turn have created unique challenges. Dubai Engineering Challenges 2008 conference will examine the major engineering challenges confronting the region and the innovative solutions required to address these issues. Developing qualified human capital for example is essential if project obligations to stakeholders and the environment are to be realised.
Dr Gary Mocke, Manager of the Coastal and Oceans Group of international consulting firm Worley Parsons, will speak on engineering the marine and coastal landscape of Dubai.
"The scale and nature of such developments have increased markedly over the last five years. The reclamation of massive offshore island projects are without precedent globally, "he said.
Dr Mocke was previously marine advisor for Dubai Municipality, where he was instrumental in establishing the Coastal Management Section. He has provided expert reviews on a number of international marine projects, including those currently underway in the Arabian Gulf.
Coastal regions worldwide are increasingly subject to pressures from commercial and industrial development, urban expansion and the exploitation of marine resources and tourism. It is estimated that around 70% of the world's coastlines are threatened by beach erosion.
With a total reclaimed land area exceeding 15,000 hectares and the creation of some 1,400 kilometres of water frontage, much of it sandy beaches, the mega developments of Dubai are adding massively to the natural Dubai coastline of around 72 kilometres.
Developments such as Dubai's multi-billion dollar three Palms and the World reclamation projects are massive in scale. Visible from space, they are quite literally changing the face of the United Arab Emirates.
"There is an urgent need to integrate the many uses of coastal resources and to develop them in harmony with the environment," said Dr Mocke.
Organised by Dubai Men's College, the conference coincides with the official opening of the Higher Colleges of Technology Centre of Engineering Excellence at Dubai Men's College. HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, will inaugurate the facility at the groundbreaking event.
More than1,000 delegates are expected, including industry leaders as well as engineering professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, consultants, managers, and engineering students. The gathering will provide a platform to discuss industry best practice, solutions to the impending skills shortage, and ways in which innovation can overcome the unique challenges facing the region's engineering projects.
An exhibition will run in parallel with the conference to showcase the latest products manufactured for and incorporated into local and regional projects.
Underlining the importance of forging commercial and academic links between education institutions and industry, Dubai Engineering Challenges 2008 is receiving widespread industry support. Sponsors include Emaar Industries & Investments, Khansaheb Civil Engineering, Otis, StudioArt and ESR Technology, one of the world's leading engineering, safety and risk consultancies.
"Developing a high level of home grown expertise in the engineering professions is one of the main challenges confronting the region right now and we believe we can help," said Paul Osborne, the Middle East President of ESR Technology, which is undertaking a major expansion programme in the region and is seeking young, GCC national graduates to join them.
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About Dubai Men's College:
Dubai Men's College, one of the 16 colleges of the Higher Colleges of Technology, was established in 1989 to offer high quality education to the Emirate of Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The College offers programs in Business, Information Technology, Communication Technology and Engineering and awards Diploma, Higher Diploma and Bachelors degrees. More than 2000 students have graduated from the college and it currently enrolls approximately 2000 students and employs 250 faculty and staff. The College relocated to its permanent new campus in the Academic City - Al Rauwayya, four years ago. In addition to state-of-art technologies, this new campus incorporates first-class sports, educational and recreational facilities. For more information please visit Dubai Men's College website at: dbm.hct.ac.ae for the latest news about college life.
About ESR Technology
ESR Technology is one of the world's leading engineering, safety and risk consultancies providing independent technical advice, products and expertise to drive customers businesses forward in managing safety and risk, ensuring asset integrity, improving machine reliability transferring best practice.
In the Middle East clients include Dolphin Energy, Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company, RasGas, and Petroleum Development Oman.
ESR Technology was previously the engineering, safety and risk division of AEA Technology which was formed from the commercial arm of the UK Atomic Energy Authority. ESR Technology consulting teams have in-depth experience of working with customers across many sectors, including oil and gas, rail, utilities, aviation and space. For more information about ESR Technology, please visit: www.esrtechnology.com
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© Press Release 2008
