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567Greetings Young Professionals from around the world!

Chairperson’smessage

We have experienced a terrible tragedy namely the Earthquakes and associated Tsunamis
in Japan. Our thoughts go out to those affected during these tough times and wish all thebest of luck. Another issue affecting us is the conflict in Libya where we hope a peacefulsolution will be found soon. There are members of the FIDIC Young Professionals ForumSteering Committee in both these countries, namely Tomoyuki Kitano from Japan andHisham S Ghellali from Libya. We wish these two members of the Steering Committee all
the luck and strength to overcome these obstacles and hope that prosperity will eventually
return to their respective countries. We are thinking of you! We want to applaud you for still
participating in the programme despite all the challenges you are facing. Your contributions
are invaluable.
We are also getting very excited planning the YP events for the FIDIC Conference which
will take place in Davos, Switzerland in October this year. Our plenary session theme will
be looking at "Developing Skills" and post more details about the events on our website at
ypf.fidic.ch/forum.com, and check out the conference website at www.fidic2011.org forlocation and travel information,business programme, and social activities. We look forward
to hosting you and hope you will attend!
Herewith a message from Enrico Vink, Managing Director of FIDIC:
Dear colleagues

Michele Kruger
South Africa

As you will be aware, due to the difficult and uncertain challenges in North Africa, FIDIC
was obliged to relocate the annual FIDIC conference from Hammamet in March 2011. I am
pleased to advise that this difficult task has been successfully undertaken, with the original
programme for Tunis now taking place in Davos, Switzerland, from 2-5 October 2011.
Registrations are open now through www.fidic2011.org. A comprehensive programme has
been developed, following on from FIDIC 2009 in London, FIDIC 2010 in Delhi, and concluding
the series of discussions with FIDIC 2011, which explores within the setting of the Swiss
Alps, the essential ingredients of successful businesses in the Consulting Engineering sector– the people. Yes, the global challenges which require innovative solutions, in turn impose
on us all, the need to find and provide the best talent we possibly can. Come to Davos andshare with others how this all fits together.
Thanks Enrico! We look forward to the conference!
Dr. Michele Kruger
FIDIC YPFSC Chair

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567THE FUTURE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE: A TURKISH CASE STUDYAt the FIDIC 2009 London Conference, then FIDIC President John Boyd described thesignificance of engineering and architecture:Engineers play a vital role in the improvement of human life.
Thinking about this truth deeper, we face the reality that engineers and architects create
projects to provide an easier life and to sustain life with a clean and safe environment. The
daily needs of humanity to improve quality of life and the continuous need to provide
sustainable solutions are supported by engineering and architecture projects.

Emrah Uliverdi
TurkeyDespite the fact that engineering and architecture is an indispensable part of the modernworld, the problem of decreasing interest towards pursuing engineering and architecture asa career has been discussed at various national and international platforms and has included
possible solutions to this problem. This issue encouraged the GEM (Turkish Young Engineersand Architects) Platform to perform concrete and objective studies to determine the interest
towards engineering and architecture professions. It was decided that the study should analyze
the choice of profession by selected approximately 5000 Turkish University students whoscored highest on their university entrance exam. This is a preliminary exam which allowed
students to choose their university undergraduate programs. Data was collected from the1989 and 2009 exams from various institutions responsible for organization and evaluationof the exam.
The data collected yielded some interesting results:
From the data sample in 1989, 4655 students who scored highest on their exams wereconsidered. During this time, 60% had chosen engineering and architecture undergraduate
programs, and 40% had chosen other undergraduate programs. When the sample from 2009
was collected, only 26% of 5000 students selected engineering and architecture undergraduate
programs while 71% had chosen other undergraduate programs. The most popular programs
selected overall were the faculty of medicine (68% of students) in 2009.

Salih Burak AkatTurkey

The results of this objective research points out the drastic decrease of interest towards
engineering and architecture professions in Turkey over the last twenty years. This fact has
triggered the GEM Platform to investigate possible reasons for this drastic decrease. The
platform has determined one of the key factors top students prioritize their career choice awayfrom engineering and architecture is based on the ideas expressed from young professionalscurrently working within the consulting engineering field. Students consider the ideas andexpression of these young professionals valuable and significant because students can identify
themselves as closer to this group and know that they also have gone through a similar
situation recently when determining their own future. This has directed the attention of GEM
Platform to young professionals working in the consulting engineering field in order to investigate
the drastic decrease of interest towards engineering and architecture professions in Turkey.
GEM Platform has conducted a questionnaire among platform members and other young
professionals who have worked in the consulting engineering field for a couple of years. Thequestionnaire was composed of four questions described below as;- What problems are you facing while performing your job?
- What are the primary problems that you expect to be solved by your company? What are
your suggestions for possible solutions of these problems?

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567- How can the GEM Platform contribute to the possible solutions of these problems?
- What may be the contributions of ATCEA (Association of Turkish Consulting Engineers andArchitects) to the possible solutions of these problems?
The primary problems indicated by young professionals based on the questionnaire was lackof communication between their seniors and managers. This lack of communication results ina lack of knowledge exchange, and many Young Professionals consider this a serious problem
related to their personal development and enthusiasm. Most consider certain decision making
roles are assigned only to senior employees. This results in a perception that their efforts andideas are neglected and they are not involved at all in the decision making process. Financial
issues were also pointed out as most consider their financial compensation not proportional totheir efforts in what many consider a stressful and time constrained job that also affects theirsocial life. The rigid organizational hierarchy of companies and lack of technical infrastructure
are other serious problems Young Professionals have encountered while performing their jobs.
Young professionals have suggested that the the primary solution should be focused on improvingnetworking and knowledge exchange with their seniors and managers. In order to maintain an
efficient networking and knowledge exchange, they expressed the importance of an effective
supervising system, a more flexible organizational hierarchy within companies, and theirinvolvement in decision making processes. They also expressed a concern that that a lack ofattention to professional development of Young Professionals is also a serious issue. Suggested
solutions by the Young Professionals included proper archiving of information, use of updated
software, and encouragement to participate in company or other approved training programs.
The provision of providing better career planning service by their companies was also suggested,
and it is considered that these improvements will make a significant contribution to their job
satisfaction and the company’s future development. It was also pointed out that financial status
and workload issues should be adjusted by companies according to their efforts and contributions
to their companies.
Young professionals consider GEM Platform as an important platform for expressing ideas andthoughts. It is expected that the GEM Platform will mainly focus on providing a reliable platform
for networking with their seniors and managers without a rigid hierarchy. They also expressed
the importance of the platform to enable networking with other young professional organizations
from other countries for professional and personal development. Regular training programs andsocial activities are also expected from the GEM Platform. Young professionals see ATCEA as
a significant supporter and supervisor of GEM Platform and they would like to see continuing
support for the future organization. They expect ATCEA to provide a solid background andsupervision based on in interacting with FIDIC, EFCA and other young professional programs.
They also expect ATCEA to take an active role to help facilitate networking of young professionals
with their seniors and managers by organizing workshops, projects and other activities.
The objective research results indicate a drastic decrease towards engineering and architecture
in Turkey during last 20 years, and it is raising questions about the future of engineering andarchitecture in Turkey. At GEM Platform we believe this situation is also a major problem inother countries. Having a strong and experienced global consulting engineering community
in FIDIC can unite all countries, ideas and problems. Accordingly, at GEM Platform, we would
like to hear ideas and possible solutions, which could be different due to cultural differences,from other young professional organizations about this serious problem which is raising questions
about the future of consulting engineering.

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ISCE Young Professionals NewsThe Iranian Society of Consulting Engineers Young Professional Forum had some very busymonths during this past fall and winter seasons. There were three general meetings alongwith an extensive educational program.
The three general meetings conducted for ISCE YPF included:- A general meeting about YPMTP in which three participants of the program explained
the program in details and encouraged more Young Professionals to participate in thenext YPMTP for 2011.
A meeting on Bio fuels that was organized by ISCE YPF and was attended byprofessionals from ISCE, various universities, NGOs and green activists. There werefour lecturers and a very interesting open debate.
A meeting celebrating Iran’s Engineers Day (February 24), where we had threespeakers, lecturing on the importance of engineering and the role of engineers in thesociety. A movie was also shown about engineering contributions to the developmentof society. The ceremony ended with a memorable musical performance.

Nader Shokoufi
Iran

A meeting celebrating the engineer’s day

The educational program that has been developed is based on the “FIDIC Guide to Practice:
The business of a professional services firm”. It is divided into seven sections, with six
sessions in each section and the first session has been presented to a class of 45 YPs andsenior engineers. The seminars were lead by FIDIC’s Young Professional ManagementTraining Program (YPMTP) graduates.
ISCE YPF is planning to continue its educational program through next year and is currently
ogranizing at least two more seminars before its general assembly in the summer 2011.
Nader Shokoufi
ISCE YPF Chairperson

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INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS567FIDIC Engineer Certification Pilot Program Launched in China
The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) has, through nearly one
hundred years of effort, developed a series of documents and guidelines for the consulting
engineering industry based on global experience and best practice. These documents andguidelines have been widely acknowledged and used by the United Nations, the World
Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and other international organizations and fundinginstitutions.
Amongst these, FIDIC contracts have become an important reference for international
consulting engineering and engineering contracts management. Also, FIDIC’s quality
management system, integrity management system, project sustainability management
system, and other standards for the engineering consulting industry have been widelyadopted by the international consulting engineering industry.
According to the decision of the FIDIC Executive Committee and following approval by theChinese government, a pilot program for FIDIC Engineer Certification will be conducted in
China in order to accelerate the development of the consulting engineering industry toundertake international business.
The FIDIC Engineer Certification testifies to an individual’s understanding of FIDIC professional
best practice following successful completion of a systematic training program and anassessment of the understanding of the FIDIC body of knowledge.

Julia Cheng
China

FIDIC and CNAEC will recognize those who have obtained the FIDIC Engineer certificate
by suitable listing, and will work to promote their acceptance by the World Bank, the AsianDevelopment Bank, the African Development Bank, and other international organizations
as international consulting engineering project managers.

CNAEC 2010 Annual Conference

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INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS4567Consulting Engineers South Africa – Young Professional Forum Update
Since our establishment YPF South Africa has grown from strength to strength and now boasts
seven active branches nationally.
Through our branches, YPF SA continues to create and raise awareness about the Engineeringand Built Environment Industry, to support and network with peers and older professionals, aswell as to give back to our communities through voluntary work.
Youth in Construction Week
CESA-YPF exhibited at the Youth In Construction Exhibition held at the Sci-bono ScienceCentre from the 21st to 25th February 2011. The exhibition went well, with over 4000 learners
from 48 school/FET colleges attending the exhibition. Thank you to all our YPs for volunteeringand sharing their experience with Mzansi’s future engineers and leaders. Auriel Petersen(GOBA);
Ajeshni Singh(GIBB); Kieren Brown(MPA); Linda Siboza; Tshireletso Rammutla(BKS); andQaqambile Ngumbela
Gautrain Hatfield Station Site Visit 9 & 10 February 2011 - GP North
YPF-GP North kicked off their year outdoors. 20 YPs were afforded the opportunity for a preview
tour of the Gautrain Hatfield Station over two days. Insight was gained on latest technology
used on the project to accommodate all population groups. Thank you to Mr. Larry Pringle andMr. George Celliers of the Gautrain Provincial Support Team(BKS) for organizing and leading
the tour.

Tshireletso
South Africa(Picture Credit: Antoinette Mmekwa – GOBA)

Walter Sisulu University EngineeringTalk - Border Kei
BulelwaLeni (SSI), YPF Border Kei Branch Treasurer presented the Engineering Talkhosted
by the Border Kei Branch to the Engineering students at the Walter Sisulu University, East
LondonCampus on 2 March 2011. The session was well attended with more than 20 students
in S3 and S4. Prominent challenges facing students are the lack ofin-service training opportunities
upon the completion of their theoreticalmodules. YPs encouraged students to keep submitting
applications. The Border Kei YPs will be volunteering their time to assist students with compilingtheir CVs.
The Flow of Money in a Consulting Firm- Western CapeThe YPFWestern Cape Branch hosted a workshop on The Flow of Money in a ConsultingFirm.
The workshop focused on how typical consulting firms acquire work, howfirms receive paymentfor work done, how staff members’ salaries are affected byacquisition methods and how toachieve career progression and recognition.

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HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE FIDIC YPF GROUPBecome part of this young dynamic group of people and receive updates, newsletters andinformation on upcoming events such as FIDIC conferences and training opportunities.
International YPF Groups: find out what the YPs in your country are doing and how toconnect with them! Please register on the YPF homepage listed below.
CommunicationsChairperson
FIDIC YPF Steering
Committee

Once we have your details, we will send you our newsletter and other info as it comes up.
Please remember to keep your details updated!
For general information about us and FIDIC, go to: www.fidic.org
For more information or if you need help to connect, contact myself at:
fidicypforum@gmail.com

Michele Kruger
Communications Chairperson
FIDIC YPF Steering Committee

Michele Kruger
South Africa
Starting your own YPF in your country
If you liked what you saw in the FIDIC YPF and YPFs across the world, why not start yourown? This is best achieved through your country’s Member Association (MA) of FIDIC.
However, if no such association exists, or your MA does not want to have their own YPF,
you can contact us to find out how to start your own YPF. Through FIDIC we may haveresources to make it easier or help partner it with you. All you need is your enthusiasm forEngineering! From there you decide what it is that you want your YPF to represent. Whatis your focus? Is it training Young Professionals? Is it getting the youth interested inEngineering? Is it just socializing with your peers? Or is it all of the above? As the FIDIC
YPF, we will do all we can to support your new endeavor!
Contact us at: fidicypforum@gmail.com