Governor of Eastern Province Sponsors Annual Conference of the Construction Industry Institute at the King Fahd University

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, Construction Industry Institute at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals organizes, on Wednesday 1^st March 2017, its two-days annual conference. The conference will be held under the title of "towards better quality and effective productivity."  A distinguished group of local and international leaders participated in the construction industry conference, gathered under one roof to discuss the best ways and processes followed in order to increased productivity and quality in engineering projects. The Conference is aimed at strengthening the role of research and development in the construction industry elements performance, as it is a national industry which has a substantial role in the Saudi economy.

His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Naif, in his speech, emphasized the importance of the construction industry in providing job opportunities to a large number of professionals and its important role in achieving sustainable economic and social development.

He added that the organization of such conferences confirms that King Fahd University exceeded its role in providing qualified graduates in the construction industry to the production, renewal and development of knowledge in this vital sector, which was obvious in the organization of this conference, that meets the Kingdom vision about the importance of promoting the economy process through advanced research recognizes the importance of this industry.

HRH said this conference proves that King Fahd University possess an advanced research vision recognizes the importance of the construction industry in promoting the national economy, in line with the keenness of the leadership, May Allah protect them" in the production, renewal and development of knowledge in all sectors.

"Our outstanding university was very successful in communicating with the scientific community worldwide to promote an active research movement facing the challenges posed by the contemporary technical progress, and the establishment of this institute for construction industry, is a proof of the Kingdom interest in improving the efficiency of the vital cycle for construction projects, and a support for this important and fundamental industry to the wheel of development."

He pointed out that the conference is gaining its importance in a time where there are increased importance of the construction industry, which has become an important indicator of the economy movement and orientations, therefore it is extremely important to shed light on the challenges faced by the industry by measuring their current status, develop a scientific vision of exploring the future, and search with all its elements to find solutions to improve their level, and to increase its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP).

He said that the construction sector achieved a significant quantum leap in light of the comprehensive cultural renaissance in the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz - may Allah protect him – and the increase of infrastructure projects that are implemented to expand the economic base and diversify resulted in the growing demand for construction products which increased the importance of this vital sector. For all of these, this conference faces a big responsibility in increasing the efficiency of the performance of the construction sector, and directing the efforts of scientific research to ensure structural integrity, and solve problems that hinder the development of the construction sector. "We are counting a lot on this conference to come out with recommendations useful in the development of this vital sector."

At the conclusion of his speech, he thanked the Rector of the University Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan and the university members for their efforts in improving the performance of the university, and thanked the organizing committee, and researchers and experts saying "I hope that this conference will achieve its desired objectives in the development of the construction industry, providing the problems faced by the industry solutions, as one of the most important industries we are counting on it a lot. "

On his part, His Excellency Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan, Rector of King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, expressed his pride - and all employees of the university – of this patronage. He said in his speech that the conference under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, involved a distinguished group of local and international leaders in the construction industry gathered under one roof to discuss the best ways and processes followed in order to increased productivity and quality in engineering projects. The Conference is aimed at strengthening the role of research and development in the construction industry elements performance, as it is a national industry which has a substantial role in the Saudi economy.

He stressed that the university has chosen to be an active partner in all issues that enhance the march of the development work. Moreover, the University’s successful role in education and supplying different community sectors with specialists in the construction and building industry must be strengthened with the role of scientific research, aimed at improving the construction industry with its different disciplines to add value to this vital sector.

He stresses the importance of the construction industry, which is one of the most important industries in the Kingdom. There is a need to improve the construction industry and regulating its researches, and to improve the effectiveness and role of business capital, including safety, quality, schedule, cost, reliability and operability.

He continued, "For decades King Fahd University has put a great attention on the construction and building industry, and having this interest from being a university of engineering and technology that provides specialized academic Bachelor and Master programs in Environmental Designs and Civil Engineering. KFUPM was, and still, meets the Kingdom renewable and structural needs of engineers and architects continuing to keep pace with the cultural renaissance needs in the Kingdom, and in parallel with the rapid development of urban renaissance taking place in the Kingdom. "
"In one of its initiatives, KFUPM created the Construction Industry Institute, which aims to improve the efficiency of business in the capital cycle in the construction world, improving the safety rules and standards documentation of quality and building confidence between the parties concerned in the construction sector. Moreover, the Institute aims to activate the research and development to determine needs and priorities and to ensure transfer of technology and used them in this vital field. "

He pointed out that this conference will be held in response to the most important real needs facing the increase expansion in construction sector which requires a modern scientific management and investments of the construction projects.

Another important of this conference is that it constitutes a ring in a chain to support and develop the construction industry research as a national industry has a great role in the Saudi economy. In addition, it represents a planned and deliberated scientific effort to enhance the development of research and to disseminate the scientific knowledge concept, which enhances the project engineering management in the Kingdom from the beginning of the project idea to the successful operation of the facility.
He explained that the combination of the university's efforts represented by the Institute of the construction industry with the rest of the construction industry elements as owners, contractors, consultants, suppliers,  supervisors and academics, confirms awareness of these components in the importance of the conference and the need for cooperation between them in an event related to the development of this sector through vital programs directed towards research and development to improve building methods and efficiency of the projects bio-cycle and raise the efficiency of the product and develop the practical and competitive capabilities of Saudis manufacturers in this field.

Its importance derived, also, from the size and level of participation in its activities, pointing out that the Construction Industry Institute since its inception has succeeded in being a national landmark provides services for those interested in the construction industry in the Kingdom and the Gulf countries.
In his turn, Engineer Amin bin Hassan Al Nasser President & CEO of Saudi Aramco stressed that the construction industry is an important topic because it relates to a large industry has its impact on our work in all sectors, and constitute the environment in which we live, and have an impact on the nation and the world.
Al Nasser praised the selection of the conference title "productivity and quality management", pointing out that the recent period and with rain in the Kingdom, there is a lot of talk about the quality standards in the construction industry.

He explained that the construction industry includes three elements namely engineering design, supply of materials and equipment and construction works, pointing out that the construction industry has played a vital role on a global scale in the economic development and the fact that successful economic activities rely on a strong construction industry contribute to converting investments to economic prosperity and a lot of job opportunities.
He said that national development programs in the Kingdom, over the last forty years, will not being achieved without the role played by the construction industry. If we look to the future through the Kingdom Vision 2030, with its ambitious dimensions and enormous investments, the national construction industry in the Kingdom had to race into achieving the hopes placed in it.

He continued, "With the increasing of the world population growth and the increasing of population movement from villages to cities, the importance of this industry continues to increase", pointing that the size of the expected investments in one sector such as the volume of investment in the world oil and gas sector will exceed $ 30 trillion by the year 2050. These trends create a naturally positive and rising growth opportunities for the construction industry.
He pointed out that the work culture that governs the construction sector is still conservative and traditional in its methods and thus lack the necessary competence, given that a lot of projects which are completed these days did not differ in the way of implementation than 20 or 30 years ago.

He added that in the light of those points and challenges, there are three priorities that should be addressed for the development of the construction industry, namely: the problem of low efficiency and productivity, projects that exceed the budget and delayed in implementation, and the challenge of quality.

He said that the most important challenges facing the construction industry is the challenge associated with the Saudization of this industry and increase local content, not only in Saudization, but also in the manufacture of materials. The percentage of Saudi workers in the industry is very low, and that the percentage of national institutions capable to develop giant and complex projects is still much lower than the desired level.
The conference program includes a presentation on the Construction Industry Institute at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals by Dr. Ali Shash Professor of Construction Engineering and Management Director of Construction Industry Institute at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, and the Chairman of Construction Industry Institute at the University of Texas, USA, Dr. Stephen Mulva offers a lecture about the operating system at the Construction Industry Institute, the capital planned for projects industry.
Mr. Ahmed al-Balawi Director General of the National Project Management Office, Ministry of Planning, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gave a presentation on the office while Dr. Bambang Triganarcia, the associate professor of construction engineering Department - King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, provides a lecture on the Construction Industry Institute researches: Development of quality management system for construction companies in Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Saemus Thomas, Health, Safety and Environment Manager, quality assurance and quality control, Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. Ltd., Saudi Arabia, provides a lecture on quality control.  Mr. Yahya Abu shal Director of Inspection Department, Saudi Aramco, offers a lecture on construction quality.

The program also includes a panel discussion: research and development in the construction industry, headed by Dr. Steven Mulva Director of the Construction Industry Institute, University of Texas, the United States and will be attended by Dr. Ali Shash, Professor of KFUPM Construction Engineering and Management, director of the Construction Industry Institute, Saudi Arabia, Mr. Georges Chahine, project manager, Department of Engineering projects, M A S Engineering Consultancy, Bechtel, Saudi Arabia, Mr. Osama Afaleq, Executive Director, Afaleq Holding company, chairman of the Saudi Commission for contractors, Saudi Arabia, Prof. Dr. Aoudah Jayyousi, President Technology and innovation management, Gulf University, Bahrain.

Dr. Ihsan A. Bu-Hulaiga, adviser President of Joatha Consulting, Saudi Arabia, offers a lecture about the impact of the national transformation program and Vision 2030, on the Saudi construction and building sector.

The second day includes a program of lectures such as "Innovation in Green Building: Towards a Green and Prosperous" provided by Prof. Dr. Aoudah Jayyousi president of technology management and innovation, Gulf University, Bahrain, and "How can we Build and Construct our Future with Confidence?" provided by the Eng. Thabet Al Swaid, Secretary General of the Saudi contractors Authority, Saudi Arabia, "Repair and Restoration of Construction in Saudi Arabia" provided by Eng. Georges Chahine , Project Manager, Department of Engineering Projects, M A S Engineering Consultancy, Bechtel, Saudi Arabia, "The Sector Training Boards " offered by Dr. Mazen Alrougui, adviser to the Minister of Labor and social development, the general supervisor of the national labor monitoring, Saudi Arabia, " Productivity Measurement and Making Estimates and Analysis at The Project Site" by the keynote speaker, Professor Osama Meselhi civil construction and environmental engineering, department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada , " Facilitating Success Through Cooperation" provided by the keynote speaker Mr. Fahd Helal vice president of projects, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia, "Enhancing the Quality of Design Offices, According to the Saudi Council" provided by Dr. Mahdi Al Suleiman, a member of the board of Directors, Saudi Council of engineers and Executive Director of Al Sulaiman Engineering Office, Saudi Arabia, " Researches of the Construction Industry Institute: Productivity Standards in the Saudi Arabia Construction Industry ", by Dr. Saleh Dafouaa Professor of Industrial Engineering and systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & minerals, Saudi Arabia, " Construction Productivity" by Mr. Abdurrahman Abdi, Supervisor of Value Practices Unit, Office of project management Department, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia, "Productivity - Project Management "by Mr. Serge Marchillaan Vice President, scheduling control and costs section, Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. Ltd., Saudi Arabia.

The program also includes a panel discussion about "Improving Productivity" headed by Professor Dr. Osama Meselhi , PhD in project engineering and professor of the civil construction and environmental engineering department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada and lectured by Mr. Abdurrahman Abdi, Supervisor of Value Practices Unit, Office of project management Department, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia,  HE Dr Khalid Bubshait, a former faculty member of King Fahd University of Petroleum & minerals, Saudi Arabia, Mr. Serge Marchillaan, Vice President, control section scheduling and costs, Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. Ltd., Saudi Arabia, and Dr. Rashad Zakia, Company planning Department, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia.

It is worth mentioning that the Construction Industry Institute aims to improve the construction industry in the Kingdom, and provides the parties involved in the construction field with the prepared studies and researches.

KFUPM’s Construction Industry Institute provides vital programs dealing with research and development to improve construction methods, improving the efficiency of the vital cycle of the construction projects, raising product efficiency, and developing the competitiveness of Saudi manufacturers in this field. To this end, the Institute has attracted collaboration, partnerships, and consulting of entities with distinguished development and economic roles.