Notes from Uganda: Week 1

This is the first in a series of weekly updates from QUEST award winner Hayley Maxwell and her collegue Jessica Robinson, who are currently in Uganda helping to build rural classrooms.

We flew into Entebbe Airport where we were met by George and Joseph from the charity we are working with, Building Tomorrow, and by John Nisbet, a colleague from Gifford.

Hayley and Jessica at the airport

We are staying in the capital Kampala, a bright, bustling city, with plenty of traffic and the familiar problems with internet connections. We are currently staying at a pleasant guest house at Clement Hill; we are not sure who’s more fortunate: Hayley with a hot shower and toilet seat, or Jessica with a working fan and mosquito net with no holes!

There is a wide variety of food available including Western food, but we have been easing ourselves into local dishes sampling “tilapia” (delicious local fish), “matooke” (cooked mashed banana) and “Irish” (potatoes).

On Tuesday we visited the site for our classrooms at Nakaseeta, over an hour from Kampala. Our original plan to visit the site on Monday was delayed due to 12-hour torrential rains which even made the headlines in Uganda! Typical Brits, bringing the bad weather with them. The site is very rural, far off the beaten track down red dirt roads.

We were surprised how tropical and completely overgrown it is, and how much needs clearing before any construction work can begin. However, despite the foliage, we were able to understand the slope of the site and determine suitable positions for our eight classrooms. On the way back our Toyota 4x4 got stuck in the mud and had to be pushed out with some helping hands from the locals and a little engineering ingenuity on our part.

We have since visited three other Building Tomorrow sites, all in rural locations surrounding Kampala, and each with its own set of challenges. It has helped us to understand current building practices and to meet the teams building the new schools. We have been able to offer advice and improvements where possible. Structural engineering seems to be quite a loose term here, with sound reasoning being ‘that’s the way it’s been done before’.

We also had the opportunity to see the interlocking ISSB building bricks we plan to use being made and had a go ourselves. This is a new alternative building technology with a few teething problems we hope to iron out with the charity and the Good Earth Trust before starting on site.

We have been working with Building Tomorrow to adapt our design to meet practical buildability and budget, both of which are significantly different to what we are used to in the UK. The charity is very excited to have an innovative design to provide better teaching conditions for the students, and hopes this will be the template for future schools.

We have been welcomed wherever we have travelled, particularly warmly by the local children, who run along side us calling ‘Muzungu’ which means “white person”. We have perhaps been a little disruptive to lessons, but people are pleased to see progress in areas where the current schools cannot meet capacity or building conditions.
Tomorrow we will be visiting our site again, where the community will be starting site clearance, and introduced to the team we will be working with for the next month. At last the project will be underway!

Hayley Maxwell and Jessica Robinson
Hayley and Jessica work for Gifford and are part of a four strong team currently in Uganda. Hayley is an ICE member and won an ICE Quest Award to assist with her trip.

Bridge Design to Eurocode conference launched

ICE is pleased to announce the launch of the Bridge Design to Eurocode - UK Implementation conference, taking place on 22 – 23 November 2010 at One Great George Street, London.

From April 2010, British Standards will be replaced by the Structural Eurocodes (EN1990 – EN1999) as the principal design standards for bridges in the UK.

This two-day conference will provide the definitive background to the implementation of the Structural Eurocodes for bridge design in the UK.

The event will enable engineers to understand key technical decisions taken in the development of the National Annexes and important sources of complementary information. In addition, leading client bodies will explain their implementation strategies, technical background will be provided on companion European Execution Standards and illustrative examples presented.

Delegates will hear from a number of experts who have been at the very heart of Eurocode developments. The conference and accompanying proceedings will serve as the essential and enduring record of the UK's Eurocode implementation for bridge design.

Key Speakers

Sibdas Chakrabarti, Independent Consultant
Peter Clapham, Technical Excellence Leader, The Impact Partnership & ADEPT
Steve Denton, Director of Bridge and Structural Engineering, Parsons Brinckerhoff
Chris Hendy, Head of Bridge Engineering, Atkins
Paul Jackson, Technical Director, Gifford
John Lane, Structures Engineer, RSSB
David MacKenzie, Partner, Flint and Neill Partnership


You can find out more about the event on its website, http://www.ice-bridgeeurocode.com/ and we will be bringing you more updates as the event draws closer.

Will we see you there?

ICE hosts Infrastructure Funding Summit

A summit on infrastructure funding, hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers, took place yesterday with industry leaders, policy specialists and senior spokespeople from the three main political parties taking part.

The Institution of Civil Engineers has been calling for the creation of a UK National Infrastructure Investment Bank or similar funding mechanism to facilitate and encourage private capital to invest in major infrastructure.
The event provided an opportunity for key stakeholders to address important issues such as the need to secure a better environment for investment through improved processes for the planning, design and delivery of major infrastructure projects.

ICE believes that any new institution must work closely within the new infrastructure framework established through the creation of Infrastructure UK and the 2008 Planning Act reforms.

ICE President, Professor Paul Jowitt “We must find a way of ensuring continued investment in our transport, energy, waste, flooding and water infrastructure, despite the restrictions the current financial situation places on government spending.”

Ian Pearson MP, Economic Secretary to Treasury, addressed an importance of infrastructure for UK’s economy growth. Speaking after the event the Minister said “The challenge now is to raise the bar by attracting new sources of private sector investment as we plan, prioritise, finance and deliver investment in a low carbon future.

“The Government will unveil its strategic approach at Budget.”

Dr Vince Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, an advocate of the idea for a National Infrastructure Bank said

“It is very clear there is enormous potential demand for infrastructure investment which the existing mechanism cannot meet, because of the difficulties facing banks and the Government’s own financing problems. There is a potential source of funding from institutional investors – pension funds and insurance companies - who are looking for potential safe investment opportunities.”
Mark Hoban MP, Shadow Minister for Treasury, spoke about the approach a new Conservative Government would take if elected. Mr Hoban said “There is an important role for private sector finance in the provision of infrastructure, but we need radical reform to government if we are to make sure the UK is an attractive place for private finance and to ensure we get maximum value for money for the tax payer”

The event was sponsored by Local Partnerships and Bechtel.

Coverage of the event was gained in the Financial Times and Evening Standard

ICE press comment on OFGEM Energy Security Plans

Commenting on the OFGEM energy security plans set out last week, Tom Foulkes, ICE Director General, said:

“The UK’s energy situation is precarious and securing energy supply that is sustainable, affordable and low carbon presents a huge and urgent challenge.

“However it is increasingly clear that the current energy model is not capable of meeting this challenge. Prompt action from Government and industry is crucial in order to activate a joined-up approach between heat, transport and electricity generation, resolve funding issues and really drive forward energy efficiency. The energy sector underpins our economy - if confidence in the security of UK energy supply is lost our global competitiveness will be severely affected”

Who are GSNet and what is planned for 2010!

GSNet represents the graduate and student members of the Institution of Civil Engineers. These members, totalling around 26,000, make up over 1/3 of the total membership of the ICE. The important aspect of GSNet is that it acts as a link between the ICE's Council and the Regions on all matters relating to Graduate and Student members.

GSNet is made up of representatives from each of the 12 UK Regional G&S Committees along with representatives from Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong, members of the important ICE boards and panels and also an executive committee. Click on the GSNet webpage to find out more about the committee and related documents.

Each year GSNet compiles a business plan which sets out what is to be achieved during each year. Each region had the opportunity to feed into the 2009-'10 business plan through a survey which was circulated last summer. A similar survey will again go out to each graduate and student committee in all regions this summer.

This year particular attention is being given to the following issues:

• How the ICE supports its graduate members?
• Can a best practice be provided to obtain CPD in today’s working environment?
• How can the dissemination of information to and from GSNet be improved?
• How can GSNet assist the regions in continuing to promote civil engineering and entice students into the profession?

There are discussion/information papers being prepared at the moment and I will update on how progress is coming along with these again. Please check for updates in early March!

Kieran Owens
Kieran is the Chairman of GSNet and is responsible for chairing the GSNet committee and executive, liaising with the ICE President and representing GSNet on council. Kieran will be contributing to the blog on a monthly basis with updates about GSNET.

ICE Northern Ireland: Engineers Week 2010

ICE Northern Ireland are currently gearing up for Engineers Week which runs from 8-13 February.

Engineers Week sees the Institution of Civil Engineers and Engineers Ireland team up to bring a series of engineering related events to over 200 primary and post primary schools children across Northern Ireland.

Engineers Week has been running successfully in the Republic of Ireland for the past four years where it is an important date in the calendar of schools across the country. ICE NI and Engineers Ireland have subsequently utilised the strength of their combined membership within Northern Ireland to encourage industry to open their doors to the school population within the region.

The Northern Ireland Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane, launched Engineers Week 2010 on Monday 1st February at Victoria College Belfast, helping pupils to construct towers made from spaghetti joined by marshmallows, illustrating her hidden civil engineering skills in the process!
Image shows: (l-r) ICE NI Chairman Jonathan Hegan with Victoria College pupil Laura Doran and Education Minister Caitriona Ruane

The Minster greatly acknowledged the importance of STEM (science, engineering, technology and maths) subjects and the societal value of engineering more broadly during the launch, stating: “I am honoured to have been asked to launch Engineers Week 2010. Engineering is at the heart of modern life. That is why my Department is currently working hard to promote careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The promotion of these subjects cannot be overstated as the STEM agenda is vital for economic regeneration on an all-Ireland basis.”

To see Minister Ruane’s full comments on Engineers Week please follow this link.

Northern Ireland industries involved in Engineers Week events include:

• Northern Ireland Water
• FG Wilson Engineering
• George Best Belfast City Airport
• Queens University
• University of Ulster
• UTV Ulster Television
• Phoenix Gas
• Traffic Control and Information Centre
• NI Science Park and Titanic Pump House

For more information on Engineers Week see http://www.engineersweek.ie/

Sinead Glackin
Sinead is the Communications Executive for ICE Northern Ireland. Sinead is responsible for the planning and execution of the internal and external communication strategy of the Northern Ireland region. Sinead is particularly focused on forging closer links between ICE and Northern Ireland’s devolved administration.

Prospective Parliamentary Candidates reception

Last night a reception took place for prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to meet with and learn about the engineering and construction community.

The event was hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the Construction Products Association.
..
Peter Hansford, ICE Senior Vice-President, spoke for the organisations and took the opportunity to remind PPCs of the vital role that engineers play nationally and within every constituency, supplying the vital infrastructure to keep transport, water, waste and energy networks working. .
Lord Chidgey, former Liberal Democrat front bench spokesperson and ICE Fellow, welcomed those candidates hopeful of becoming part of the new Parliamentary intake when the next General Election takes place later this year. Speaking to those present he thanked them and reminded them of the importance of the UK construction sector, which represents around 10% of GDP or £110 billion a year.

The reception marks part of an ongoing programme of engagement by the host organisations seeking to maintain and increase knowledge and understanding of the sector to current and future key decision-makers.
.
Those candidates who become elected were also invited to join the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure when it is reformed in the new Parliament.

The President's apprentices visit South Africa

The second workshop of the President’s apprentice scheme 2009-2010 took place on 16-20 January in South Africa.
.
This scheme provides an intensive, professional development programme addressing infrastructure for international development which is supported by key engineering organisations and other professionals operating on a pro bono basis.
.
Twelve outstanding graduate engineers were selected in August 2009 to act as apprentices to increase the awareness and capability of international development.

Image shows: President's apprentices with Paul Jowitt in November 2009
.
The first three days were spent in Durban where the apprentices met with industry specialists to discuss topics such as millennium development goals and infrastructure delivery for capital projects.
.
They also visited the recently completed Moses Mabhida 2010 World Cup stadium to discuss the participation of black owned businesses on a mega project as well as the Zibambele programme, an initiative designed to create work opportunities for destitute citizens by providing them with maintenance contracts on their own road.Image shows: The Moses Mabhida 2010 World Cup Stadium which was visited by the team

Image shows: Site visit to Zimbabele programme
.
These workshops are organised so the apprentices have a chance to work on the toolkit entitled ‘An Engineering Project Delivery Plan for International Development and the UN MDGs’ which will be launched in October 2010 in London.
.
International development is one of Paul Jowitt’s themes to his presidency: “Resolving the problems facing global society in future all relies on civil engineers to provide innovative solutions, adapt and build new infrastructure and to plan and design for a changing environment. .
Society can’t function without infrastructure. It is fundamental to solving these issues. Therefore it is crucial that we instil the right kind of thinking into today’s engineers. They are the ones who will have to come up with and implement these solutions.”
.
For further information on the scheme, please email gloria.liu@ice.org.uk