WORK PROGRAM Development of Engineering in the Pan-American Region Nomination for UPADI s Headquarters 2008 2012 CFIA (Costa Rica)
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 Work Program Development of Pan-American Engineering Message: The Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos de Costa Rica (CFIA) (Professional Association of Engineers and Architects), founded over a hundred years ago, is rendered into a modern and flexible forefront organization which promotes the technical, legal and social conditions that would ensure and facilitate excellence in the exercise of the engineering and architecture professions. In line with its by-laws, rules and technical standards in force, the CFIA offers its members the possibility to integrally develop their know-how, based on solid ethical values and technical advancements. Therefore, the CFIA believes that UPADI (Pan-American Union of Engineering Organizations), as an organization that promotes collaboration among associations of engineers in the hemisphere, should become the compulsory consulting entity for all development-related processes in the countries of the American Continent, as it is stated in its mission: to contribute to the development of engineering, and committed to the development of society and economy in the American Continent. In view of this, and the organization s goals to promote, advance, disseminate and connect the work and practice of the engineers in the Americas, CFIA has decided to present its nomination for UPADI s headquarters in the 2008-2012 period. The CFIA wants to assist in the consolidation of an organization capable of impacting the decisions that will mark the destiny of engineering in Latin America, and at the same time, support and promote the integral development of all engineers in the region. We submit to the consideration of the various organizations members of UPADI, this four-year Work Program that will take us to these goals. The action lines proposed 5
WORK PROGRAM by CFIA to the member organizations of UPADI include improving academic education in engineering, strengthening technological transfer, and developing information systems that would facilitate members insertion in international markets. These activities aim at positioning engineering as key factors for development, and UPADI and its members, as key players in decisions of public interests related to the exercise of the profession, in the country and abroad, since we are at a historical time which calls for engineers to actively participate in decision processes, in order to ensure sustainability and solidarity in the development of the region. As president of the organization, CFIA proposes Engineer Irene Campos Gomez, the present UPADI International Secretary and distinguished former president of this Professional Association. Also, we propose Engineer Dennis Mora Mora, former UPADI regional vice-president to take on the Executive Directorate of the Organization. In what regards to the physical plant of the Headquarters in the Republic of Costa Rica, CFIA confirms that it knows well UPADI s by-laws and commits to comply with the corresponding responsibility. In view of the above and the fellowship spirit characteristic of engineering in Latin America, we respectfully request your formal support to the establishment of UPADI s headquarters in Costa Rica. Engineer Olman Vargas Zeledón CFIA Executive Director 6
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 Strategic Line of Action To position UPADI as a proactive, efficient and progressive organization engaged in advancing professional development, continuous education, technological transference and strategic business alliances, so that it becomes recognized as international landmark in Pan-American engineering. Strategic guidelines Strengthen UPADI s capacity to execute programs, projects and activities of interest for Engineering in the Pan-American region that will contribute to social and economic development in member countries. Develop programs for technology transference and in-classroom and distance learning training, using modern virtual communication tools. Implement programs of global and regional interests, such as climate change, sustainable construction, Engineers without Borders, professional ethics and anti-corruption policies. Support the creation of opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and experience that would favor the technical and administrative development of member organizations. 7
WORK PROGRAM General Objectives: 1. Upadi s strategic development To foster the strategic growth and development of UPADI and its member organizations, by positioning its image within the various scenarios in the hemisphere and beyond. Specific Objectives Activities Strengthen appropriate structure to achieve effective management. 1.1 Establish an appropriate organizational structure for UPADI s development Set performance indicators for follow-up activities and identified actions. Favor improvement of member organizations through UPADI. Develop quality policies to improve UPADI s structure and administrative processes. Drive the organization towards regional leadership. 1.2 Optimize organizational resources Develop modern information systems to optimize communication among the administration, the supporting organisms and the member organizations. Develop logistic supporting structure for UPADI s administration. Develop a support system adapted to the financial capacity of each member organization. 8
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 Specific Objectives 1.3 Develop an organization communication strategy Activities Create e-bulletins to disseminate institutional information to UPADI members. Improve the Website with general and updated information. Disseminate information on technical projects among member organizations through Newsletters. Promote technical publications written by engineers from UPADI member organizations. 1.4 Position UPADI in the minds of the members as valuable for gaining an edge in a globalized world Inform the members about the benefits of membership to boost professional development in the region. Promote UPADI as a Business Forum to facilitate exchange between colleagues and specialized firms that want information or strategic business alliances. 9
WORK PROGRAM Specific Objectives Activities Become an icon in the regional public opinion in topics related to engineering. 1.5 Identify key issues that may strengthen the organization Establish a network of experts in topics of global interest in the different sub-areas of engineering. Promote policies for professional mobility. Promote anti-corruption policies. Set a public position in the Pan-American region related to engineering relevant topics. 1.6 Create and strengthen strategic alliances Establish and strengthen strategic alliances with global and specialized organizations (FMOI, UNESCO, AIDIS, COPIMERA, IEEE, FOICAP, ASTM, ASCE, ASME, API, ACI, etc). To promote alliances with banks and global developing companies: BID, BCIE, HP, INTEL, etc. Use virtual platforms to offer courses and trainings. 10
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 2. Exchanging knowledge To develop technological activities that will facilitate the exchange of knowledge among the various branches of engineering. Specific Objectives 2.1 Develop technical training programs for inclassroom and distance learning settings Activities Organize technical activities to help the professional members of UPADI stay abreast their area of knowledge. Promote the organization of virtual fora on topics of interest to Pan-American engineering. 2.2 Promote professional development and foster leadership Create an opinion network to facilitate development of projects and visions on topics of regional interest. Create mechanisms for the integration and participation of young professionals in the activities of UPADI and its member organizations. 11
WORK PROGRAM 3. Improvement in education To promote the continuous improvement in engineering formal education. Specific Objectives 3.1 Promote the development and exercise of the engineering profession Activities Encourage member organizations to become leaders, or be part of the accreditation systems in their countries. Encourage member organizations to be leaders in the development of control systems for the exercise of the profession. Encourage the development of a strategy for the reconsideration of certification within UPADI member organizations. 3.2 Promote a good standardization to facilitate professional mobility Develop multilateral cooperation mechanisms to establish a technical standardization system. Develop multilateral cooperation mechanisms to reach agreements of mutual recognition which may favor professional mobility. 12
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 4. Marketing services Global services marketing to develop projects related to the profession. Specific Objectives 4.1 Create a registry of professionals, companies and experts from the various areas of engineering Activities Create information systems for the registry of experts, companies and organizations who offer engineering services internationally. Create communication systems for the exchange of information among professionals, companies and organizations members of UPADI. 4.2 Improve competitiveness of small businesses Make a diagnosis to design training programs for small businesses in the different areas of engineering. 13
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 Operational plan upadi headquarters In order to fulfill the above-mentioned objectives, we submit to the International Directorate of UPADI the proposal for operation of the Headquarters in Costa Rica. Costa Rica will have, as UPADI headquarters, the support from the Instituto Costarricense del Cemento y el Concreto (Association of Cement Suppliers) which has offered the office space. The office will be well equipped with all technological, material and human resources that will facilitate communication with all member organizations of UPADI. Administrative Structure The following persons are proposed to form the working team that will implement the decisions and duties assigned: President: The president is at the highest level of the organization. She is in charge of planning and conducting UPADI defined strategies to ensure success in the lines of actions chosen. Executive Director: This person is responsible for the coordination supervision and control of organization operations, to guarantee the compliance with the mission and the short, medium and long-term goals. This person reports to UPADI s president. Executive Directorate Secretary: Assists the Executive Director in matters related to the position. Organizes and supervises the process of reception, delivery and distribution of correspondence and is responsible for filing, registering and documenting. System Analysts: Analyzes, designs, develops or forms systems and computer applications to automate processes and operations of the different business units. This person coordinates with programmers, operators and provides support to users. He or she reports to the Executive Director and is hired under professional services contract. 15
WORK PROGRAM Accounting: Responsible for management planning and conducting general accounting processes of the organization. Manages and supervises legal processes and internal control of financial transactions made by the organization. This person reports to the Executive Director and is hired under a professional services contract. 16
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 Candidate for presidency of UPADI Costa Rica Engineer Irene Campos Gomez Profession: Civil Engineer UPADI General Secretariat MEMBERSHIPS Member of the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica. Inscription: IC- 4856 Member of the Asociacion Costarricense de Recursos Hidricos y Saneamiento Ambiental (Capitulo Nacional de AIDIS Internacional) Registered with the Secretaria Tecnica Ambiental (Environment Entity) Inscription number 153-96.1 1. E D U C A T I O N College education: Licenciate in Civil Engineering, University of Costa Rica, March 1988. Master Sc. in Environmental Sanitation, University of Gante, Belgium, September 1992. 2. PUBLICATIONS Simulacion del comportamiento hidraulico de vertedores (Simulation of hydraulic performance 17
WORK PROGRAM of spillways), Graduating Thesis applying for the Licenciate Degree in Civil Engineering. February 1988. Derrumbes sobre el Rio Reventado (Landslides over the Reventado River) ( February 1989. Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, (ICE). Deforestation in Costa Rica: a study of causes and solutions. Graduating Thesis applying for the degree MSc. Environmental Sanitation September 1992. Book «Saneamiento Ambiental» (Environmental Sanitation), Teaching Unit of the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) 2000 (Distance Learning University), 3. WORK EXPERIENCE February 1996 March 1998. Head of the Private Generation Office, Electricity Planning Directorate, ICE. The Office is in charge of buying electricity from private generators, in compliance with Law 7200 and its reforms. March 1998 to present Partner and Project Manager of Consultores Ambientales Unidos, S.A. (CAUSA), expert in private consultancy in the area of sanitary and environmental engineering. March 2005 to present General Director of the Instituto Costarricense del Cemento y del Concreto (ICCYC). 4. TEACHING EXPERIENCE Professor of Environmental Engineering courses as part of the Civil Engineering program of the University of Costa Rica, since 1994. Tutoring Professor of the Environmental Monitoring course, which is part of the Natural Resources Management program at UNED University, in 1999 and 2000. 18
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 Head of Department Gestion de Recursos Naturales (Natural Resources Mangement), UNED University, year 2000. Instructor for several technical courses in Environmental Engineering offered at the association of engineers Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles and Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (Professional Association of Civil Engineers and Professional Association of Engineers and Architects) 5. HONORS International Secretariat of UPADI (Pan American Union of Engineering Organizations) from September 2004 September 2008. Vice-President of the Accrediting Board (Consejo de Acreditacion Centroamericanda de Acreditacion de Programas de Arquitectura e Ingenieria). June 2006- June 2010. President of the Federation of Engineering Associations (Federacion de Organizaciones de Ingenieria de Centroamerica y Panama (FOICAP), January 2004 April 2006. President of the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos de Costa Rica. November 2002 October 2004. President of the Civil Engineers Association (Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles) 2002 2004 Member of the Board of Directors of Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (CFIA), from October 1999 to October 2001. President of the Products of Concrete Committee of the Federacion Interamericana de Cemento (FICEM) (Interamerican Cement Federation). October 2006 to present. Member of the Accrediting Board of the Agencia de Acreditacion de Programas de Ingenieria y Arquitectura ( Accreditation Agency for Engineering and Architecture Programs) of CFIA and SINAES. 19
WORK PROGRAM Nominated for Executive Directorate Headquarters UPADI-Costa Rica Eng. Dennis Mora Mora Profession: Industrial Management Engineer M E M B E R S H I P S Latin American network of Experts in Infrastructure, Founding and Active Member Latin American network of Experts in Renewable Energy, Founding and Active Member American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Member- President of the Costa Rica Section Project Management Institute (PMI), Member American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), Member 1. STUDIES Graduate Studies in Management INCAE Business School Licentiate in Industrial Maintenance Engineering. Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica 1992 Bachelor degree in Maintenance Engineering. Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica 1992 20
UPADI HEADQUARTERS 2008-2012 2. EXPERIENCE 1990 currently Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz Head of the Generation Projects Department 1988 1990 Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz Head of Hydroelectric Plants Section, Production Department 1978 1988 Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz Head of Anonos Workshops Section 3. OTHER PARTICIPATIONS Member of the Permanent Commission of the Code of Hydraulic Facilities Participation in the Pan American Union of Engineering Organizations (UPADI): 1990-1992 Coordinator Central Area 1992-1996 Vice-president 1994-2004 Director of the Pan American Energy Committee 1996 up to date Member of the Consultative Council 1998-2006 President of the Pan American Committee of Hydrographic Basins 2006-2010 Vice-president of the Pan American Committee of Hydrographic Basins 1997-1998 General Director 4. HONORS 1981-2008 Participation in the Board of Director of CFIA (Professional Association of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica) 1990-1992 President of the Board of Directors of CFIA (Professional Association of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica) 2008-currently President of the Colegio de Ingenieros Tecnólogos (Professional Association of Technological Engineers) of the CFIA (Professional Association of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica) 21
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