In an attempt to enhance cooperation in improving concrete structures through exchanging information, expertise, training, accreditation and copyright, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the American Concrete Institute (ACI).
The MoU was signed at Ashghal Headquarters by president Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi and ACI president Dr Randall Boston in the presence of representatives from both entities.


Mwani Qatar's Abdulla al-Khanji receiving the award for Hamad Port’s Visitor Centre as Ashghal president Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi and ACI president Dr Randall Boston look on


The function also marked award distribution to two winners of the International Concrete Construction Competition.
The ACI award was conceived in co-ordination with Ashghal which is the authority for nomination and evaluation of Qatar-based projects that are competing to win this international reputation.
Ghanim al-Ibrahim, executive director of Operations at Qatar Foundation (QF) received the first position award for Qatar National Library Project of QF in the decorative concrete category.
Abdulla al-Khanji, CEO of Qatar Port Management Company (Mwani Qatar) received the award for Hamad Port’s Visitor Centre which was ranked the first in the category of low rise buildings.
The MoU is aimed at co-ordinating the enhancement of concrete works and designs through exchanging of information and technical expertise in terms of various researches and studies with copyright.
It includes co-operation in joint sponsorship of conferences, workshops, training, qualification of technical personnel and provision of international certification in the field of concrete construction within the scope of Ashghal programme for technical qualification.
It also features boosting communication between the two sides through visits and meetings in order to exchange information and technology in the field of enhancing concrete and related construction works as well as the marketing of joint activities.
Al-Muhannadi said that the co-operation between Ashghal and international institutions like ACI is expected to enhance Ashghal’s international reputation.
He further explained that the MoU comes within the framework of efforts to improve and excel the quality of concrete works through exchanging information with expert entities in the field.
He added that the co-operation between the two bodies would also open ways to promote Ashghal projects in international forums and publications to enhance Ashghal’s international reputation.
Randall Boston pointed out that the co-operation between Ashghal and ACI will include copyright, provision of training courses approved by the Institute and holding regular bilateral meetings to update the latest means of technology in the field of concrete.
Khalid al-Emadi, manager of Quality and Safety Department at Ashghal, said such agreements will certainly contribute to improving the quality standards in the field of concrete works, pointing to the existing great cooperation between ACI and Ashghal through Quality and Safety Department.
He also pointed his fingers to the need for the regular meetings between representatives of Ashghal and ACI to boost the exchange of experiences saying the new MoU would enhance this cooperation locally and internationally.
“As part of Ashghal's Technical Qualification Programme, the MoU includes imparting training to technical personnel and granting international certificates jointly accredited by ACI and Ashghal in the field of concrete construction. This accreditation will qualify the professionals in the local and international market without the need to travel abroad,” he said.
The ACI is a not-for-profit scientific community organisation that functions to develop and implement modern scientific methods in concrete manufacturing technology.
In view of the continuous efforts of Ashghal to support the activities of ACI within it's projects, the ACI branch in Qatar has been accredited and it’s chaired by Khalid al-Emadi, Quality and Safety manager at the Public Works Authority.
One of the vital activities of the Qatar branch of ACI is promoting participation in international competitions and the development of concrete specifications in co-operation with specialists and members of the concrete institutes worldwide.
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