Preparations are underway at The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), and Emaar Properties, for staging the third edition of the Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) during 22-25 October 2016 under the theme: Shaping the Future. The event culminates the huge success of the second edition of the Forum marked by the launch of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Award for Innovation in Project Management. 

“Organizing the Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) signals the keenness of Dubai city to play a pivotal role in steering the innovation and development drive in the region, and identify the ingredients of expediting this drive on sound scientific bases in line with the highest standards & practices. This can be achieved through attracting top experts & internationally renowned specialists, to international forums & events that can be transformed into effective platforms for the transfer of knowledge. It also stems from the keenness of Dubai to act as a communication link assisting in the transfer of expertise, concepts and visions amongst international gurus of various industries, and accordingly live up to its billing as an Arabian city with a global profile,” said HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

Program 
“The second edition of the Forum was all success in terms of superb organization, massive attendance comprising more than 1500 participants hailing from 28 countries; 17% more than the inaugural edition. The second Forum was also characterized by the diversity of topics, events and activities of relevance to the management of engineering & construction projects, and the management of projects in technical, sports, energy and sustainability fields,” said Al Tayer.

“Based on the results of surveys & polls, and the analysis of deliverables & conclusions drawn from the management or organization of the 2nd DIPMF, ‘Shaping the Future’ has been endorsed as a theme for the 3rd edition of the event. New topics have been introduced highlighted by a discussion panel about Project Management for Youth spotlighting the definition of Project Management (PM) principles, potential successes, and the importance of applying PM practices in various fields. It will also highlight successful models presented by young Project Managers in order to share their experiences and modern knowledge. In collaboration with the PMI, the Forum will host a workshop to discuss the best educational tools for adding PM to undergraduate or postgraduate programs. A closed session was also held to discuss Rail PM to benefit from the best practices of rail projects management.”

“The Forum would comprise four discussion panels, six concurrent sessions, and five specialist training courses. Discussion panels would cover issues related to PM in the fields of sustainability, future cities, academic programs (knowledge management), and entrepreneurs. The training courses would cover project schedules management, project cost management, project quality management, enterprise risk management, and business analysis. Concurrent sessions would discuss governance, corporate project management, leadership in multi-cultural environment, realization of project benefits, public-private partnership, mega projects management, and talent management. Several site & technical visits would be arranged to unique projects such as Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Parks & Resorts,” added Al Tayer.

Challenges & Solutions:
“The vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai focuses on the continued investment in improved infrastructure due to its importance in boosting the competitiveness, and supporting the urban & economic development. The Dubai Government has spent more than AED80 billion in improving the infrastructure of roads & transport, and RTA is proceeding ahead with the upgrading of the infrastructure, improving the delivery of services, and achieving the transition to the smart services,” stated Al Tayer.

“Sourcing funds for upgrading the infrastructure & services is one of the key corporate challenges that require non-conventional finance methods. For instance, RTA has introduced some creative finance techniques such as the metro stations naming rights, and the value engineering method in a bid to reduce the costs of key projects. RTA is currently considering other options involving merging the funding of transport infrastructure and the transit-oriented development, and enhancing the partnership with the private sector towards offering finance, increasing efficiency or reducing costs,” he noted.

Smart Cities
“The DIPMF serves as an exceptional platform that highlights the world-class infrastructure being developed in the city in line with the Dubai Plan 2021 announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the preparations for Expo 2020,” said HE Mohamed Al Abbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties. 


“Emaar is supporting the development vision of Dubai through its mega-projects designed to the highest standards of quality and execution. As pioneers of master-planned communities that add value to the economy, we have set best practices in project design, implementation and management. This enabled us to develop global icons that add to the civic pride of the city.   

“Emaar is honoured to partner with RTA on the DIPMF, which will once again establish Dubai as a hub for innovation in smart city development. By bringing together experts from around the world, the Forum will promote knowledge sharing and inspire new innovations to address the needs of future urban development.”