Intelligent technology supports Middle East's "unmatched" construction boom

Senior representatives from Nakheel and WS Atkins Global will use the event to examine the role of new technology in the creation of globally-famous projects, including the famous Palm Islands in the UAE.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of the Emirates Group, the 17th International Conference on Management of Technology (IAMOT) will provide one of the most in-depth assessments to date of the impact of the knowledge economy on regional success.

"The IAMOT event supports professionals from a full range of industries - from financial services through to the government sector - and we believe there are strong lessons to be learned from the technology pioneers in the construction sector," said Dr. Abdullah Alshamsi, University Vice-Chancellor, The British University in Dubai, host for the event in 2008.

One of the major presentations from Nakheel will focus upon the company's ground-breaking Knowledge and Technology Centre, which was designed to manage the flow of technology and information within the Palm Jebel Ali project, one of the world's largest reclaimed islands.

Marwan Al-Qamzi, Managing Director of the Palm Jebel Ali Project, Nakheel will present some of the key findings from this initiative.

He will be joined by Dr. Anne Kemp, Head of Atkins Geospatial, whose lecture will focus upon the human and management challenges of rolling out new technology.

"Knowledge transfer and innovation are a central theme of the International Association for Management of Technology, and we are delighted to share the views and approaches of leading industry figures," said Tim Askew, Managing Director, Atkins in the Middle East and India.

"This partnership between one of the world's largest design and engineering consultancies and the British University reflects the important contribution that universities and businesses can make to our wider society and communities," he added.

The conference will bring together members of the International Association for Management of Technology (IAMOT), a world body that aims to support the creative and innovative development of technology to solve real-world business challenges.

"We're delighted that we have been able to attract speakers from companies of the calibre of Nakheel and WS Atkins Global. Their insights into the extent to which new technology has provided the foundations that have enabled the creation of the Middle East's most iconic developments will be enormously useful for attendees," said Dr Bassam Abu Hijleh, Atkins Senior Lecturer and conference co-chair for IAMOT 2008.

The 17th International Conference on Management of Technology, 'Creating and Managing a Knowledge Economy,' will take place from April 6-10, 2008, at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), Dubai, UAE.

The event's Main Sponsors are Al Maktoum Foundation and WS Atkins Global.