The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and the Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES) Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly collaborate on projects in the GCC region.
Hosting the ceremony, RSS President Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan emphasised the importance of collaborating closely with the private sector to increase the magnitude and variety of projects carried out regionally to boost Jordan’s economy.
“We look forward to expanding the scope of this MoU in the very near future through the integration of work between ACES and the RSS, especially in new local and regional projects. Moreover, we are excited about the many learning opportunities both parties will enjoy by sharing experiences, and acquiring new expertise…” Stated Princess Sumaya during Her welcome speech.
In specific, the MoU aims to strengthen cooperation between the ACES and the RSS to provide advisory services for environmental, food, and industrial chemistry testing.
Both parties would collaborate to provide testing services in mechanics, energy efficiency and renewables and advisory services related to measurement, calibration, and conformity certificates, as well as training and capacity building.
Capitalising on ACES’ wide network of regional offices, both organisations would offer their services in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait.
The MoU was signed by RSS Vice President for Technical Affairs Tareq Hasan and the ACES CEO Izzat Katkhuda.
Hasan explained that in addition to the RSS’ specialised and accredited testing services conducted locally and internationally through 41 accredited laboratories based on the ISO17025 standard, the RSS cultivates and furthers research and development (R&D) projects with local industries and universities to foster innovation and intellectual properties.
The RSS performs inspection services and issues conformity certifications according to the ISO9001 and the international ISO17020 and ISO17065 certificates.
“The RSS provides consultations for the private and public sectors and works in partnership with regional and international organisations.
Since its inception as a national and independent organization, the prime objectives of the RSS have been to protect human health and safety; to safeguard the environment; to contribute to sustainable economic development”.
The CEO of the ACES Group Katkhuda elaborated that the Arab Center is a specialized engineering company with 20 offices spanning across the Middle East.
He added the ACES offers a wide range of specialized engineering services including site reconnaissance, geotechnical investigations, material technology, project quality control, special studies, land and marine surveys, and chemical and environmental testing.
“The ACES has grown into a company that employs more than 2,300 engineers, scientists and professionals, and it maintains state-of-the-art equipment, including soil excavators, laboratories and field-testing equipment, which is accredited by international bodies, with ISO9001, ISO17025, ISO45001 and ISO14001 certificates.” Katkhuda explained.
The meeting was concluded with lengthy discussions between the executives of both organisations about the next steps to be taken to materialise the MoU into an actionable plan that would yield tangible results and outcomes in the coming few months.
Source: Jordan News Agency