Some Qatar University students during their visit to Ashghal projects.
Doha: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) organised field visits for 73 civil and industrial engineering students at Qatar University (QU) to introduce them to the Lean Construction principles applied in the Enhanced Contracts projects of the Local Areas Infrastructure Programme, under the Roads Projects Department. This is part of the department’s improvement strategy for 2022.
The field visits aims to expand students’ knowledge and experience allowing them to explore the practical side of their majors, while also introducing them to the departments’ projects.
Through these visits, Ashghal provides a real opportunity to witness the live practice of implementing and applying the principles of Lean Construction. The visits also aim to spread a more effective work culture and contribute to preparing future engineers.
Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi, Roads Projects Department Manager at Ashghal, said, “We are building the nation together, therefore, preparing future generations should be a shared responsibility for all elements of society. Engineering is one of the most important fields that has a positive impact on the economy and future of Qatar. In this sense, Ashghal seeks to establish a link between the theoretical and technical elements, and works to provide all possible opportunities for emerging competencies to develop their skills and provide them the opportunity to work with the best local and international expertise in the field.”
Eng. Al Tamimi explained that new engineers receive special attention in Ashghal, as the diversity, size of work and number of projects provide them with a great opportunity to obtain practical experience through training and field visits that may not be available to them elsewhere. Also, Ashghal seeks through many activities targeting university students to inform them of the latest developments in the construction field, especially the principles of Lean Construction.
The field visits spanned over six days, during which six projects of the Local Areas Infrastructure Programme were visited. Various topics were discussed in each of the projects such as asphalt works, traffic diversions, micro-tunneling technology and poured concrete.
The Lean Construction principles that are applied in the enhanced contracts projects within the Local Areas Infrastructure Programme and the importance of their implementation were explained and defined through a presentation at the work sites of each project, followed by an inspection tour of the developmental works in the project.
The students visited the roads and infrastructure projects in Al Ebb and Leabaib (Package 2), North East of Al Kheesa (Package 2), Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa (Package 3), West Al Meshaf (Package 9), North of Mall of Qatar and Celebration Road (Package 2), and East Al Wajba (Package 3).
Eng. Mohammed Yousef Al Subaie, Assistant Instructor at the College of Engineering at QU, who accompanied the first group of students to their field visit pointed out that this opportunity allowed students to explore the practical side of their majors and how it complements the theoretical side. This is in addition to exploring Ashghal’s application of advanced work techniques, various expertise and the principles of Lean Construction to ensure the delivery of projects with high efficiency and high environmental standards.
