BSBG hosts CIAT President on Dubai visit

Words by BSBG Media Team, Tuesday 30 October 2018

Brewer Smith Brewer Group (BSBG) was delighted to host the President of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), Alexander Naraian, PCIAT, ICIOB, and Chief Executive, Francesca Berriman, MBE, CEO CIAT, last week on an official visit to Dubai.

During the visit to BSBG Headquarters on Monday 22nd October, the President and Chief Executive met with Partner Andrew Bereza, before BSBG Lead Architectural Technologist, Richard Griffiths MCIAT, and Senior Architectural Technologist, Alan McIntyre MCIAT, gave a presentation highlighting BSBG’s ongoing activity in the market, both in the UAE and internationally, as well as discussing current opportunities and challenges within the construction sector and the discipline of Architectural Technology.

During the presentation, a number of topics were discussed, which included project tenders in the UAE, the impact of Expo 2020 on construction, and the appetite and understanding of the importance of Architectural Technology and technical excellence in the Middle East and in other BSBG territories.

Site visits

After the initial meetings and presentations, Alan and Richard, with the assistance of Senior Architectural Technologist, Chris Day MCIAT, and Project Director, Joseph Corcoran CEng, gave a tour of live BSBG project sites in Dubai to Alex and Francesca, who managed to take in BLVD Crescent, ICD Brookfield Place and Bluewater’s Residential in a single day, as well stopping by at The Beach, which was delivered by the group in 2014.

Commenting on the day spent with BSBG, CIAT President Alexander Naraian gave us some insight into his impression of the work BSBG undertakes: “BSBG were great hosts, and are a highly competent firm with a drive, commitment and passion for quality. Alan and Richard showcased BSBG’s work and their commitment to CIAT, delivering technical excellence and to contributing to the growth of CIAT locally. They are very impressive.”

For both Alan and Richard, to be able to spend the day showcasing BSBG to the President and CEO of CIAT was a privilege, particularly as the Institute has had such an impact on their own careers. Richard said: “It was an honour to meet with and give a tour of some of our projects to Alexander and Francesca. I think they were impressed with the work we’ve done and are currently doing; it was a very valuable exercise for both parties and I hope it served to further enhance the relationship we enjoy with CIAT.”

During the week in Dubai, CIAT also hosted a series of Architectural Technology: Professional Insight events. The events formed part of an international roadshow primarily aimed at students and graduates, as a conduit to provide inspiration and insight for their future chosen career in Architectural Technology; as well as highlighting the value, impact and profile of a Chartered Architectural Technologist. The events took place at Ajman University and the Canadian University of Dubai, where Richard Griffiths gave a 30-minute presentation on Architectural Technology, entitled “Striving for Technical Excellence” to the gathered students at one of BSBG’s long-standing education partners in Dubai.

The week-long visit culminated with an event hosted by CIAT at the Hilton JBR hotel on Thursday evening. During the event, members of the Institute were given the opportunity to meet and network with fellow professionals, and both Alex and Francesca gave presentations on the current status of the Architectural Technology discipline globally, and in Dubai. “Each university I visited was uniquely and wonderfully different and diverse,” Alexander explained. “I am hopeful that there will be an accreditation degree programme up and running in Dubai in the near future. The word is spreading and the need for the discipline is definitely clearly understood,” he concluded.

About CIAT

CIAT is the official qualifying body for the discipline of Architectural Technology. Its role in international construction is to ensure that the quality, knowledge and competence of those practicing Architectural Technology is at the very highest level, to promote the science of Architectural Technology and the benefits it brings to projects, and to continually work as an advocate for improving standards in the construction industry.

Find out more about CIAT here.

BSBG Media Team

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