Gallery – Engineers and Architects 2024

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Victorino Abejero was instrumental in establishing the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (now the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology) and pioneered conducting factory assessments of electrical products at the Dubai Central Laboratory. In 2014, he established his company, GulfTIC Certification LLC, a pioneer Gulf-origin conformity assessment Body that provides market access services through testing, inspection and certification for manufacturers exporting their products to GCC Countries, Europe and North Africa. It now has branches in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Pakistan, China – and Hungary.

He is a certified Lead Assessor for ISO 9000 (Quality Management System), ISO 14000 (Environmental Management System), Exam Mark: 92, OSHAS 18000 (Safety Management System), Exam Mark: 87 ISO 17025 (Laboratory Quality Management System).

DR. RAJKUMAR MUTHUSAMY

Senior Robotics Scientist – Dubai Future Foundation

Session:

Industry 4.0 & AI for Engineers and Architects

Time:

2:31 pm to 3:05 pm

Dr. Rajkumar Muthusamy is a Senior Robotics Scientist at Dubai Future Labs currently focusing on the development of autonomous robotic systems and solutions for mobile manipulation and industrial applications. He received the B.E. degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Anna University, India, in 2009, the M.S. degree in electrical engineering with a gold medal for academic excellence from Yuan Ze University, Taiwan, in 2013, and the D.Sc.(Tech) degree in automation, systems, and control engineering from Aalto University, Finland, in 2018. He contributed to the development of self-driving vehicles, as a Senior Robotics Engineer at Sensible4 Oy, Finland, till the end of 2018. Before joining Dubai Future Foundation in August 2021, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Khalifa University, UAE and carried out R&D on advanced robotic perception and manipulation for Industry 4.0.

He is one of the recipients of the Finnish Engineering Award 2020. The Finnish Engineering award is given as an acknowledgement of a notable engineering or architectural work which has remarkably advanced technical competence in Finland. He has published 25+ Scientic Articles in Journal and Conferences and well as advised/supervised several bachelor’s to PhD level thesis. His research interests include AI, autonomous vehicles and systems, assistive, collaborative, and general robotics. He is an enthusiast in providing end-to-end solutions for the next generation of autonomous robots operating in structured and unstructured environments.

ORANDANTES DELIZO

Project Manager – Tebodin Middle East
Three leaves Technical Engineering Services LLC

Session:

GCC Giga Projects: Promising Outlook for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Sectors

Time:

1:41 pm to 2:15 pm

Orandantes has over 38 years professional experience in Project Management, Construction & Consultancy, Site Supervision, Structural Design, Permitting and Contract Management, of civil, structural engineering and other special projects. Some of his notable projects include:

the Etihad Rail Project, the prestigious US$ billion project connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Northern Emirates where he was a Senior Structural Engineer leading and managing all the structural design of all the substructures and superstructures in all specified stations for all its required structures specifically control & AVI towers, office and control building, substations, carriageway and others, and
the US$100 Million Project Falcon, a 60km jet fuel pipeline from JAFZA to Dubai International Airport, where he was a Project Manager in-charge of all design and construction works.

Orandantes is a recognized Civil and Structural Engineer in the Gulf, and currently a Project Manager for Tebodin Middle East and affiliated with Three Leaves Technical Engineering Services LLC.

MARY JANE ALVERO AL MAHDI

CEO – Prime Group

Session:

GCC Giga Projects: Promising Outlook for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Sectors

Time:

1:41 pm to 2:15 pm

Any discussion about Filipino workplace excellence in the UAE must include Dr Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi who possess over 25 years’ experience in quality assurance, certification and analytical services. Her role in the Middle East business community stands out as well as her contribution to empowering women in the region.

In recognition of her outstanding work, she has won several industry awards: Professional Regulation Commission Most Distinguished Chemical Engineer, Blas F. Ople Awardee, Presidential Award for Filipinos Overseas – Pamana ng Pilipino Award, Emirates Businesswoman Awardee, CEO of The Year award at the World Water Leadership Congress, the World Women Leadership Achievement Award at the Women Leadership Congress in India, Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globe Tigers in Kuala Lumpur, Quality Leadership Award at the Global Awards for Excellence in Quality Management and Leadership, and the distinction of being included amongst Dubai’s 100 Global Sustainable CEO’s.

However successful she may be, Mary Jane would love to be remembered for her humility. As she quoted, “I want my worth to be measured by the values I have added and influenced in the life of the people I inspire every day in my life.”

EMELYN MARTINEZ

Managing Director – Qualis

Session:

Overcoming Challenges in Project Management

Time:

4:00 pm to 4:45 pm

Emelyn is a Delay Expert Witness working in construction arbitration cases globally. She has BS in Civil Engineering from Bicol University and Masters in Construction Law and Arbitration from Robert Gordon University in Scotland, UK. She’s been working in UAE for 18 years and has worked for the region’s most prominent construction and consultancy firms. In 2020,

Emelyn established her firm, Qualis, providing construction disputes consultancy services to construction companies internationally. Qualis now has offices in Dubai and Hong Kong.

Emelyn is recognised by Who’s Who Legal as one of the Top 16 Leading Global Future Leaders for Construction Expert Witness in 2022 and has achieved the highest ranking in the Middle East Region. She is also the Winner of Lexology’s Client Choice Award for Construction in UAE in 2021 and 2022. In 2018, Emelyn was chosen as the TFT’s Engineer of the Year.

Emelyn is passionate about training young professionals. She constantly speaks at international conferences and workshops and continues to motivate and inspire the next generation of leaders in the construction industry.

LEONESTER DIESTRO

Asset Lead, Retail Delivery Manager – Majid Al Futtaim Properties

Session:

Overcoming Challenges in Project Management

Time:

4:00 pm to 4:45 pm

Leonester has over 20 years’ engineering experience encompassing civil, structural, MEP, and architectural design works in the areas of land and site development, roadways and pavements, drainage systems, high-rise luxury hotels and residential buildings, office-commercial structures and metro rail projects. A decade of her career is spent in sustainable retail and shopping malls engineering.

Some of her key projects include the end-to-end delivery of construction and interior fit-out works for the 1,532 rooms of Atlantis the Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Metro Stations, and two of Majid al Futtaim’s sustainable malls: the My City Centre Al Dhait, a G+1 LEED Gold- Rated Sustainable Mall and the only sustainable building in Ras Al Khaimah to this date; and My City Centre Masdar, a G+2, 3-PEARL ESTIDAMA Rated Sustainable Shopping Mall, bagged as the “Most Sustainable Shopping Mall” in Abu Dhabi.

Leonester is a Civil Engineer and an ASEAN Registered Engineer. She is currently an Asset Lead, Retail Delivery Manager for Majid Al Futtaim Properties.

KIRBY ZALAMEDA

Design Director, Architecture – DLR Group Middle East

Session:

Journey to Net Zero: Retrofitting the UAE’s Built Environment

Time:

3:06 pm to 3:20 pm

Architect Kirby Zalameda has nearly 30 years’ experience in the field of architecture and planning in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Indian Subcontinent, and North America.

His project experience includes both high and low-rise residential developments, corporate headquarters, office, mixed-use, institutional, hospitality, commercial, retail, educational and transportation buildings. In addition to building projects, Architect Zalameda’s expertise extends to urban design and master planning projects.

His key project examples have been the Kuwait Investment Authority Headquarters Building, Qasr Al Ain Hotel, the eighty story Wings Twin Towers for Dar Al Dhabi, the Damac Towers by Paramount in Dubai, Hala Hotel in Doha West Bay and Center of Harmony in Sharjah, UAE, and most recently the Abha Mixed-use development in KSA.

He is currently the Design Director for Architecture and Associate at DLR Group Middle East.

JAMES ROY JIMENEZ

Senior Architect & BIM Manager – Zublin Construction

Session:

Industry 4.0 & AI for Engineers and Architects

Time:

2:31 pm to 3:05 pm

James Roy is a BS Architecture alumnus of the University of the Philippines, Diliman where he graduated as Magna Cum Laude. He is a Licensed and Registered Architect and a chartered member of the United Architects of the Philippines, Abu Dhabi Chapter.

James Roy has been part of the realization of various architectural gems in the UAE such as the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center in Al Ain, The Qasr Al Hosn Cultural Foundation Building and Masterplan in Abu Dhabi, The Clymb in Yas Island and most recently, the Abrahamic Family House in Saadiyat Island.

He is currently a Senior Architect and BIM Manager for Zublin Construction LLC, a German construction company.

WODERICK PAREJA

Architectural Engineer | Senior Architect, Obermeyer Middle East GmBH

Session:

Industry 4.0 & AI for Engineers and Architects

Time:

2:31 pm to 3:05 pm

Woderick has 20 years of professional experience in project management, architecture, interior and landscaping design as a contractor and a consultant engaging in the design development of various buildings such as hospitals, high and medium-rise, complex commercial centers, malls, hotels, residential towers, religious projects, and institution schools.

Some mega projects he has worked on include the AED 4.4 Billion 358,000 sq m New Al Ain Hospital, the AED105 Million 17,579 sq m Chinese School in Abu Dhabi constructed to meet the Pearl-2 green building rating system, and the 45,000 sq m expansion of Al Ain Mall.

Woderick is an Architect with a Master of Science in Construction Management. He is currently an Architecture Engineer/Senior Architect at Obermeyer Middle East GmbH.

MANOSH DE

Urban Planning Expert – Dubai Municipality

Session:

Journey to Net Zero: Retrofitting the UAE’s Built Environment

Time:

3:06 pm to 3:20 pm

Manosh is a creative designer and urban futurist. He has an in-depth understanding of the intersection between wellbeing and technology in the cities of tomorrow.

He has worked across the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Europe and the Carribean on a range of city changing design projects involving large multi-disciplinary teams that have included designers, economists, engineers, sustainability consultants, and smart city specialists.

He is currently helping lead the implementation of Dubai’s 2040 spatial plan through Dubai Municipality.

Manosh is a frequent contributor to magazines, radio shows and conferences in the region.

He is an alumnus of the US Dept of State International Visitors programme, a UK Chevening scholar and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma.

Key projects:

Dubai 2040 strategic plan
Diriyah Gate (KSA) Phase 2 master plan
Amravati (India) Capital city master plan
World Cup Qatar public realm programme
Business Bay Dubai master plan
Lusail Doha master plan
Hatta development plan
Historic district Dubai local area framework plan

CHRISTINE ERLANDA-ESPINOSA

Associate Partner – Godwin Austen Johnson and Architects

Session:

Journey to Net Zero: Retrofitting the UAE’s Built Environment

Time:

3:06 pm to 3:20 pm

Christine is an experienced and award-winning architect with 18 years of professional experience and memberships in multiple professional organizations including the Royal Institute of British Architects and United Architects of the Philippines. She joined Godwin Johnson & Architects in 2008 and was promoted to Associate Partner in 2022.

Christine has extensive experience leading and providing design solutions for a variety of projects, including masterplans, hospitality, retail, residential, educational, and heritage projects in the Middle East and Asia. She oversees the project team’s activities, ensures the correct interpretation based on the client’s brief, and develops strong working relationships with all levels of employees and client representatives. Christine is member of the advisory board for the newly launched WIRE (Women in Real Estate) in MENA Region and a member of the Heriot Watt Architecture Industry Advisory Board. She is a strong leader, mentor, and speaker in the architecture industry, contributing to the development of her team and speaking at conferences on sustainability, real estate, and architecture.

DR KAREN REMO

Chief Executive Officer – New Perspective Media Group

Dr Karen Remo has been the face and voice of several government, corporate institutions and non-for-profit organizations.

She was bestowed with the Asian Women Leadership Award, Female Leader of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year by MEED Awards and recently received two back-to-back awards from the Office of the President of the Philippines and Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the Pamana ng Pilipino Award, the highest honour bestowed by the Philippine government to Filipino overseas; and the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards.

She’s a Magna cum Laude graduate of Mass Communication with an MBA, who also holds a professional development Diploma in Strategic Management and Marketing from Harvard University, and is now a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree holder from the PCU– Middle East.

Dr. Karen Remo is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of New Perspective Media Group, a leading 360-degree marketing and communications agency.

Dr. Jeffrey Uy currently holds the position of Vice-President Project Management in Aldar Projects. He is responsible for managing multi-billion AED projects in the region.

He is continually improving his Continuing Professional Development (CPD) which is outlined below.

– Graduate of Ph.D. in Business Management, Philippine Christian University, 2021
– Certified Project Management Professional, 2021
– ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE), 2021
– Candidate, ASEAN Engineering Register (AER), 2019
– Graduate of Master in Business Administration, Philippine Christian University, Philippines, 2018
– Attended Harvard University Continuing Education Program, 2017
– Graduate of Master of Science in Construction Management, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 2014
– Professional Mechanical Engineer (PME), Philippine Professional Regulation Commission, 2013
– Registered Mechanical Engineer (RME), Philippine Professional Regulation Commission, 2003
– Graduate of BS in Mechanical Engineering, Mapua Institute of Technology, Philippines, 2003

Dr. Uy is also engaged in offering his services to the community as follows:

– Immediate Past President of PSME and Friends Toastmasters Club, 2022
– Past Bayanihan Council Chairman Abu Dhabi, 2016- 2018
– Past President of Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Abu Dhabi Chapter, 2015
– Knights of Rizal (KOR) Abu Dhabi Chapter, 2016
– Golf Association of Filipino Professionals (GAFP), 2015
– Philippine Society for Project and Program Management (PSPPM), 2014

From this, he is honored to earn the following recognitions.

– Awarded as one of the 70 Platinum Outstanding Mechanical Engineers by PSME National, 2022
– Awarded as the Best Filipino Engineer by Filipino Times UAE, 2017

– Lastly, Dr. Uy published various articles related to Determinants of Career Change in a way of helping the community to be prepared and remain agile in times of difficulty.

Any discussion about Filipino workplace excellence in the UAE must include Dr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi who possess over 25 years experience in quality assurance, certification and analytical services. Her role in the Middle East business community stands out as well as her contribution to empowering women in the region.

In recognition of her outstanding work, she has won several industry awards:

Professional Regulation Commission Most Distinguished Chemical Engineer, Blas F. Ople Awardee, Presidential Award for Filipinos Overseas – Pamana ng Pilipino Award, Emirates Businesswoman Awardee, CEO of The Year award at the World Water Leadership Congress, the World Women Leadership Achievement Award at the Women Leadership Congress in India, Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globe Tigers in Kuala Lumpur, Quality Leadership Award at the Global Awards for Excellence in Quality Management and Leadership, and the distinction of being included amongst Dubai’s 100 Global Sustainable CEO’s. However successful she may be, Mary Jane would love to be remembered for her humility. As she quoted, “I want my worth to be measured by the values I have added and influenced in the life of the people I inspire every day in my life.”

For more information andsponsorship opportunities, please contact

For more information and
sponsorship opportunities, please contact