Filipino engineers and architects in the UAE possess technical skills required for the global workforce but need to develop their ‘soft skills’ – this is what three engineering and architectural industry experts in Abu Dhabi have agreed upon to help Filipinos exhibit their excellence in their field.
The Filipino Times had the opportunity to speak to the three industry experts at the 2nd International Conference in Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Project Management organized by the Philippine Society for Project and Program Management (PSPPM) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Open University System (PUP OUS) held in Al Maha Arjaan Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Here were their recommendations:
Improve Presentation Skills
Engr. Fares Kekhia, PE, International Director for Transpogroup commends the technical skill of Filipinos which he has observed for more than a decade of working overseas. “The Filipino engineers are very good, technically they’re very good. Their calculation methods, reporting and everything is good,” said Kekhia
However, he said that Filipinos fall short when it’s time to take the spotlight to share their knowledge: “One area that a Filipino engineer or architect lacks is in the presentation. When they stand up to talk to people, they’re always shy. English is not my first language, but I’ve overcome that over the years. Stand up talk and discuss things. That’s the only thing – presentation skills, standing up and talking and making sure that you don’t shy away from it.
Kekhia suggests for Filipinos to take every opportunity to gain confidence in themselves. “Practice and do it often. Standing up and giving your presentation, make sure you’re confident with what you’re saying. Sometimes people ask you questions that make you think twice about yourself but always be confident of what you say. It’s just a matter of how you present it,” said Kekhia.
Bank on your positive traits and be optimistic
Touching on the adaptability, skills and other positive traits that Filipinos already have, Professor Borja Garcia De Soto, Assistant Professor at New York University in Abu Dhabi shared that Filipino architects and engineers should take the opportunity of working in the UAE as their stepping stone to take their careers to the next level. “They are professionals within the construction industry in the verge of a big transformation and I believe they can become part of it – from the technical, the robotics side, the managerial side – it’s a very exciting opportunity and time that they should be looking forward for their next career move,” said De Soto.
Knowledge to transform countries
Abu Dhabi’s Division Manager for Infrastructure and Facility Department of the Department of Education and Knowledge Arch. Eiman Abdulla Al Marzooqi is confident that Filipino architects and engineers are capable of making a difference not just in the UAE, but back home in the Philippines too: “I have a very nice and good impression about Filipinos – I can see growth in their eyes and they’re very specific and very unique in their professional life. I hope they can use their knowledge to transform not just Abu Dhabi but to enhance their country, the Philippines as well.
“If you want to improve you have to step up. Once you have the degree and the confidence, you should let your voice be heard. Even if there’s a mistake, it’s fine – at least you know how to make decisions to find solutions for the betterment of everyone,” said Al Marzooqi.
The research colloquium saw 25 Filipinos who presented their studies to the public and have recently graduated and received their diplomas in Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM) at PUP OUS, with several of PUP’s educational heads and leaders in attendance.
