It was a major event of the year for Filipino electrical engineers of Qatar and the region, and the community came together in droves to make it a big success.
More than 350 engineers and delegates participated in the recent fourth Middle East Regional Convention (4th MERC) at the City Centre Rotana Doha, as Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers – State of Qatar (IIEE-SQC), for the second time, hosted the event in fine style.
While the first day saw 359 participants and delegates from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia attending this important event for electrical engineers, the second day had 312 participants and delegates attending it. Guests from the Philippines such as IIEE National President Engineer Larry Cruz; Professional Regulation Commission – Board of Electrical Engineering (PRC-BEE) member Jaime V Mendoza; and PRC-BEE Chairman Francis V Mapile, attended the event.
Ambassador of the Philippines to Qatar, Wilfredo Santos was among such distinguished guests and he delivered his address during the first day of the convention. POLO-OWWA Labour Attaché David Des T Dicang, who was also invited, introduced Santos as the special guest speaker.
Edgardo Estebal, Chapter President of IIEE-SQC and overall activity chairman of the event, told Community, “This edition of the convention was very successful, even more than last year’s. We organised this regional convention to empower Filipino electrical engineers with global excellence and a competitive spirit. The theme for the 4th MERC was IIEE: Soaring High Towards Globalisation. Various sponsors and vendors offered a number of technical presentations and talks, product presentation and exhibits. By their sharing of knowledge, expertise and latest trends in technology, the participants could benefit greatly.”
The technical seminars and talks of sponsors and invited company representatives primarily aimed to provide the electrical practitioners latest updates and information about specific products and services. It also guided them to upgrade technical expertise in the field of electrical engineering. Some of the topics that were dealt with at the event were: Earthing and Lightning Protection System; Electrical Safety: Making it Personal; and Smart Switchboards.
Firex, the Platinum Sponsor of the convention, showcased latest products and services in the field of firefighting. “Other notable sponsors who played an important role in the success of the event were Gold Sponsors – Jubaili Bros. for Generators, Light Craft for lighting system, Trade House for Earthing and Lightning Protection, and Pacific Ocean Electrical Switchgear; silver sponsors –  Schneider Electric, Sta. Clara International Corporation, Scolmore Wiring Devices,  Northfield,  and LBC, Group, and Bronze Sponsors – BCT Instrumentation, Grupo Prilux, Doha Cables, Bridge Contracting, Halican and Top Note,” pointed out a senior electrical engineer.
Doha first hosted the international convention for electrical practitioners in 2013. Following this, UAE and Bahrain hosted the second and third conventions in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Announced on the second day of the 4th MERC, IIEE-UAE will again be the host chapter for the 2017 international convention.
Delegates from different chapters are from an assembly of constituents comprising of IIEE – State of Qatar (host chapter), IIEE-Central Region Saudi Arabia, IIEE-Western Region Saudi Arabia, IIEE-Eastern Region Saudi Arabia, IIEE-UAE, IIEE-Bahrain, IIEE-Kuwait Chapter, and IIEE National from Manila, Philippines.
A professional organisation of practicing Filipino electrical engineers in Qatar, IIEE-SQC was founded on November 19, 2005, by 35 Founding Council Core Members and accredited as a Foreign Chapter by IIEE-National Office in Manila and the Philippine embassy of Qatar. IIEE-SQC’s objective and purpose is geared with the Continuing Professional Education programme of the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and assist in one way or the other in the socio-civic activities of the Philippine embassy of Qatar, apart from uniting all Filipino migrant electrical practitioners who work in Qatar.
The IIEE’s vision is to be the leading electrical professional organisation globally, and its mission is to enhance the competencies of electrical practitioners to make positive contribution towards new trends and technologies. The mission is also to be an authority of electrical engineering services that result in safe, reliable and efficient systems, apart from promoting awareness about the use of environmentally-friendly electrical products, services and resources as well as active participation on disaster preparedness and recovery programmes.