Abu Dhabi Chosen as the 3rd City in the world for architects tests by The American National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

In a move designed to recognize the best practices in the field of Contractors and Consultants Classification, and Engineers Registration, a delegation from the municipal system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, visited the United States and the United Kingdom for a close review of the American and British mechanisms and technical programs and electronic systems used for the classification process of contractors and consultants, and the registration of licensed engineers and craftsmen. The delegation was headed by  H.E. Mohamed Sughayer Al Dhaheri, Managing Director of the Municipal Affairs Governance Sector at the Department of Municipal Affairs ( DMA) and included a number of officials and engineers in the DMA and the Emirate’s Municipalities, Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain City and the Western Region.

Commenting on the visit, H.E. Mohamed Sughayer Al Dhaheri, Managing Director of the Municipal Affairs Governance Sector at the Department of Municipal Affairs said that this visit comes within the framework of the continued pursuit by the DMA to develop the mechanism of work at the Contractors, Consultants Classification, and Engineers Registration Office, and to enhance the DMA efforts to develop the building and construction sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as craftsmen and licensing system audit and compliance system and accounting practice in the Buildings sector.

The delegation was briefed during a visit to New York City on the program used in the registration of contractors and consultants, including written tests and experience required of them. The delegation was also briefed during a visit to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in New York City on the ways and means of promoting architects and discussed aspects of cooperation between the Institute and the Department of Municipal Affairs and the possibility of cooperation with American universities to build partnerships in the field of architecture for the advancement of architecture graduates and refine their technical through programs and enhancing their ability to obtain a license and practice this profession in the Emirate after graduation, thus contributing to enhance their skills in engineering applications and applying this profession based on the requirements of the Abu Dhabi International Building Codes.

In a meeting with the Board of  Engineers in New York State, the delegation was briefed about the operational programs used to test engineers, and the renewable mechanism and how it relates to professional development , and the mechanism of endorsing the charts and reports by the professional engineer. Both sides discussed common opportunities and  aspects of cooperation between Abu Dhabi and New York State in the field of classification of contractors and consultants, and engineers registration.

During a meeting with the American National Council of Architectural Registration  Boards (NCARB), Abu Dhabi city was chosen to be the third city in the world for architects test who are interested in enrollment in the United States.

The visit to the UK was of a particular interest to the delegation where they were briefed about the system used by the government in the registration of all those who work in the construction sector, and make this information available for each of the government agencies that are interested in any services provided by contractors, consultants and suppliers, craftsmen and the like.

The delegation concluded his tour by discussing with representatives from the United States and the United Kingdom the draft of the Abu Dhabi Electronic Portal for International Standards in the building and construction industry and a final review in order to signe of a memorandum of understanding in this regard.

It is worth mentioning that this visit comes within the framework of the efforts made by the Department of Municipal Affairs to develop the building and construction sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and enhance the process of classification of contractors and consultants, and engineers registration by benefiting from the experience of developed countries in this field, so as to enhance the efforts of the municipal efforts to achieve the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 goals which aims for the government of Abu Dhabi to become one of the best five governments in the world in terms of the services provided to the residents.