Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) and Doha Metro contractor FYAP JV completed the first phase of a knowledge transfer programme, training Qatari engineers and enhancing national railway capabilities.
A specialised training programme was held in Spain for eight Qatari engineers, accompanied by two supervisors. Participants received intensive practical training that allowed them to gain first-hand knowledge of international best practices and major infrastructure projects carried out by FCC Construccion, leader of FYAP JV.
During the 10-day programme, the participants made technical visits to several strategic projects, including Line 6 of the Madrid Metro, one of the largest and most complex urban rail networks in Europe, as well as the Mediterranean Corridor rail project, which plays a key role in strengthening connectivity along the east coast of Spain.
The delegation also visited the Murcia tramway and toured the areas affected by recent storms in Valencia, where FCC is carrying out rehabilitation work.
The initiative is part of a three-year knowledge transfer agreement between Qatar Rail and FYAP JV, which will continue with similar programmes aimed at new classes of Qatari engineers. It is a key component of Qatar Rail’s strategy to provide national talent with practical experience and applied learning.
Eng Omar Hamad al-Kuwari from the Programme Delivery Division at Qatar Rail said: “This visit proved to be a successful experience on all levels, offering us a valuable opportunity to closely explore FCC Construction’s expertise in delivering advanced railway and infrastructure projects, as well as their rapid response capabilities in handling emergency projects caused by climate change.
“During the visit, we were introduced to the latest technologies and equipment used in tunnel excavation for railway projects and learned about the best practices in operating and maintaining the Madrid Metro network. The visit also included detailed presentations on the execution of new projects, particularly high-speed long-distance trains, and tram systems, which enhanced our practical knowledge of the latest methods in railway and infrastructure development in Europe.”
Eng Mohammed Sultan al-Emadi from the Operation and Maintenance Department at Qatar Rail said: “Our direct meetings with FCC engineers were rich with insights and expertise, allowing us to explore ways to adapt some of these practices locally especially in areas such as quality management, safety, and sustainability in railway projects.”
Qatar Rail and FYAP JV also held a two-day technical seminar last week in Doha on urban transport systems. The seminar for Qatar Rail engineering staff focused on fostering a culture of professional development, knowledge sharing, and employee motivation. Around 60 employees were selected to attend the sessions.
Eng Khalid Ahmed al-Thani from the Corporate Planning Department at Qatar Rail said the seminar “will have a positive impact on institutional performance across our projects, especially as the company remains keen to co-ordinate with various sector partners to provide specialised scientific events aligned with the latest updates in urban transport and beyond.”
Eng Hamad Khalifa al-Romaihi from the Operation and Maintenance Department at Qatar Rail said: “For us, the seminar demonstrated the importance of specialised training in sharpening employee skills and supporting their professional development within the company”.