A six-member expert panel, comprising members of the Society of Engineers in the GCC countries, has been namedd for judging the winners of the inaugural "Quality Awards for Projects 2010."

The "Quality Awards for Projects 2010" will serve as a multinational merit-based approach to benchmarking best practices in the region’s construction projects, said the organisers Meed.

The awards also aim to promote values that create the best environment for improvement in business and industry, as well as social and cultural arenas, it said.

The panel includes Abdul Majeed Al-Gassab, president of the Bahrain Society of Engineers; Dr Matar-Ali Almutairi, Kuwait University, Kuwait Society of Engineers; Sulaiman Al-Hudhaili, secretary general of the Oman Society of Engineers; Ahmad Jassim Al-Jolo, chairman of the Qatar Society of Engineers; Ghazi Alahmadi, secretary general of the Saudi Council of Engineers; and Rashad Bukhash, director of the Architectural Heritage Department at Dubai Municipality.

Experts in their respective fields, the independent judging panel will adopt a stringent set of criteria to evaluate and select only the highest quality projects, said Meed, adding that all entries must be submitted before July 22.

The awards will be given in 11 categories including Oil and Gas Project of the Year, Best Industrial Project, Power and Water Desalination Project, Water Reuse Project, Leisure and Tourism; Transport and Logistics Project, Road Project, Mixed Development Project; Social Project, Building Project, and Best Sustainable Project for 2010.

Edmund O’Sullivan, chairman of the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, said: "We are honoured to name the elite panel of judges, who are professionals and independent members from the Gulf Engineering Forum and the Society of Engineers."

"These specialists will bring a unique combination of expertise to the task. Recognising projects within their respective countries for excellence and best practice is a responsibility that these experts are adequately qualified to accomplish."

“We are not just looking for iconic buildings; it is the essential infrastructure and innovations that need to be rewarded for their part in building the GCC from the ground up. It is about the nuts and bolts of the operation as well as the headline making projects,” he added.

Al-Hudhaili, secretary general, Society of Engineers, Oman said: “I am delighted to be part of the judging panel for this exciting event. There are a number of excellent projects that have been recently completed in the region and deserve to be recognised."

"These awards will encourage industry leaders to look closely at raising industry benchmarks further while awarding the best performers,” he remarked.-TradeArabia News Service