Sharjah Research Academy hosts Saudi Standards Organization technical meeting

The meeting was attended by Dr. Amr Abdul Hamid, Special advisor to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for Higher Education, Mr. Ferdinand Leopolder, President of the International Community for Drymix Mortars, Eng. Abdul Aziz Alkhalifa, representative of Saudi Standards Specifications and Quality Organization (SASO), Eng. Naif Alrakheis representative of the Saudi Ministry of Works, local delegates and Dr Mufid Samarai, Senior Advisor at the Sharjah Research Academy and organizer of the meeting.

The committee was received by Dr. Amr Abdul Hamid, Special advisor to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for Higher Education, who commented: "The academy has taken much efforts to improve cooperation between the private and public sectors and to enhance communication between academy, companies, and state institutes at all levels of government. It is only along this path that we can boost added value to projects and industries, serve the community and continue to make the GCC region one of the world's top scientific centers of excellence

Dr. Mufid Samerai, Senior Advisor of the Sharjah Research Academy, emphasized that the scope of MEDMA and its technical committees goes along finding ways to utilized the rich resources available to the academy and government institutes, and outsource them to the public and private sectors. He added that the committee will be working under the umbrella of MEDMA and SASO on finding cost effective, sustainable and durable constructions materials that make a difference in the urban development movement in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Eng. Abdul Aziz Alkhalifa, representative of Saudi Standards Specifications and Quality Organization (SASO), said: "SASO is the sole standardization body in the Kingdom, entrusted with all activities related to standards and measurements, including the formulation and approval of national standards for all commodities and products as well as standards concerned with metrology, calibration, marking and identification of commodities and products, methods of sampling, inspection and testing. No doubt holding this meeting at the Sharjah Research Academy, which is an active member of the committee, reflects our appreciation of their support to and interest in the research and scientific organizations".

Ferdinand Leopolder, president of the International Community for Drymix Mortars and Secretary General of MEDMA, said: "The organization would develop the standards and implement them in the GCC and the Middle East Region with the aim to develop sustainable and durable buildings that last for long time without the need for restoration and renovation. We have chosen the UAE in recognition of its existing remarkable urban development and its constant endeavour to adopt modern standards in this vital field.

Sharjah Research Academy hosts this meeting as part of its support to the committee's activities and in line with the academy's selection as a representative of the research scientific institutions and Academia in the committee. The initiative is consistent with its pursue to promote the advances in material and building technologies and durable materials as part of its mission to optimize the use of various scientific and practical resources in the urban development process in the emirate of Sharjah and the UAE. It is, also, part of the SRA's support to the activities of both the International Community for Drymix Mortars and Middle East Drymix Mortar Association.