Gauging the level of interest for a platform for professional interaction

Setting up a platform for professional interaction

Colleagues,

As all of us are aware, there are many issues within the built environment sector which need to be addressed urgently. Most of these issues are obviously multi-faceted and need well- thought out solutions. And since most of us are busy with our jobs/work, we have generally not been able to critically think about solutions in a collective manner. There seems to be a general view that it would be to our benefit to have an organization (in whatever format) to which we can contribute and also use as a platform to develop the profile of built environment professionals and at the same time contribute to national development.

Thus, we are proposing that we meet to discuss about this as soon as possible. These are some suggested topics of discussion and the final form of the organization will hopefully reflect what the majority of us feel:-

Some possible points of discussion:-

· Organizational Structure-

o What should be the legal identity of such a body - As a NGO (jamiyya) registered at Home Affairs / As a learned society with a mandate to upgrade professional development of members/ Should we have a long-term goal of being a certification body empowered by a parliamentary act or presidential decree?

o Membership – eligible professions, membership grades and requirements for different grades

o Form of Affiliation with other existing bodies – such as Association of Maldivian Architects, Association of Maldivian Engineers, Maldivian Association of Construction Industry

o Masoolverin – One suggestion has been to have three senior professionals in the field – Mohamed Shafeeg (Shafeeguge) – Engineer/ Ahmed Saleem – Architect/ Riffath Afeef – Planner/Architect

· Management Structure/ Financing

o Executives/ Office bearers

o Term durations

o Financing of daily operations/ activities

o Office location

· Scope of Activities:-

o Assist in the development of standards in the built environment

o Continuing Professional Development

o Development of Ethical Standards in the industry

o Built environment sector information research and depository - cost indices/statistics/product information

A meeting to gage the interest and discuss about such an organization is planned for 26^th Dec at 8:30 pm at Jamaludheen School Classroom 7A . RSVP - email Ismail at ismail.ubc@gmail.com or tel: 7972851

As this meeting is convened just to discuss the possibility of such an entity, there has been some attempt to keep the numbers at a level which will be conducive for effective interaction. But if there is anyone who you feel would like to join in the discussion please invite them and let us know (so that refreshments can be managed). Some people have generously offered to contribute to offset the cost of refreshments/ room booking and if you would also like to do so please contact Ismail at the above email/cell. This has been posted as a convenient way to pass this information prior to the meeting and not really intended to be a discussion forum