Doha, October 04 (QNA) - The Qatar Society of Engineers (QSE) has launched the “Qatar BIM Award,” a platform celebrating outstanding experiences, projects, and best practices in Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the State of Qatar.

The award features four main categories: individuals, government entities, contracting companies, and consulting firms and offices, in a way that enables participation from a broad range of stakeholders across the BIM ecosystem, showcases leading models and experiences, and fosters a culture of excellence and innovation.

The award was announced at the conclusion of the Qatar BIM 2026 Conference today, organized by the QSE as part of a comprehensive professional program to examine the current state of BIM implementation in projects, along with the most significant developments, challenges, and future trends associated.

The QSE noted that full details of the award—including its subcategories, evaluation criteria, nomination requirements and procedures, timeline, and judging and recognition processes—will be announced at a later date.

The conference recommended developing a unified national framework for BIM that defines essential technical and regulatory requirements and practices, standardizes implementation mechanisms, and improves the quality and efficiency of project management across all lifecycle phases.

It also recommended strengthening the integration of BIM with artificial intelligence and modern digital technologies in design, project management, data analysis, and risk and cost analysis, while expanding digital twin applications to support asset and facility management and the development of smart cities.

The recommendations further emphasized improving the skills and qualifications of engineering and technical personnel in BIM implementation through continuous training and professional development programs.

They also called for support for research and development; the documentation and dissemination of successful experiences and projects; and the exchange of expertise and knowledge. 

In addition, they recommended establishing a national platform for Qatar's BIM community, bringing together government entities, the private sector, and academic and professional institutions to facilitate the exchange of information, expertise, and best practices and to strengthen integration and cooperation nationwide.

The conference also called for the development of a unified national guide to BIM implementation and greater use of the ISO 19650 standards. This would help standardize concepts and procedures for managing digital information and data, while clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and best practices across the various stages of a project.

The recommendations also stressed the need to standardize methodologies for classifying, coding, and defining the attributes of BIM elements across entities.

This would support data interoperability and integration across systems and projects, contributing to a more cohesive national digital environment.

They further called for incorporating the BIM implementation protocol into engineering and construction contracts to clarify requirements, define the roles and responsibilities of all parties, establish mechanisms for managing and exchanging information, and specify delivery requirements, which would improve the clarity of contractual relationships, enhance project execution efficiency, and reduce disputes.

The conference also recommended developing a national index to measure BIM adoption, readiness, implementation quality, and digital integration, enabling continuous monitoring of progress and the identification of areas for improvement.

It further called for support for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups transitioning to BIM through training, qualification, and technical and technological assistance. In addition, the recommendations proposed including BIM implementation levels among the criteria used to classify and license contracting companies, offices, and consulting firms, based on clear benchmarks for readiness and digital maturity. 

This would enhance the quality of practices and strengthen the competitiveness of the engineering and construction sector.

Chairperson of the Qatar Society of Engineers, Eng. Amna Mohammed Al Naama emphasized that organizing the conference aligns with the society's efforts to keep pace with the rapid digital transformations in the engineering sector, create opportunities for engineers, experts, and various stakeholders to exchange knowledge and expertise, and envision the future of technology- and data-driven engineering practices.

At the opening of the conference, she commended the professional caliber of the female participants and the diverse attendance from within the State of Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. She emphasized the importance of interpreting the ideas and experiences shared at specialized conferences into practical initiatives that contribute to advancing the engineering work environment and fostering integration among various entities.

In a related context, Eng. Al Naama emphasized that the State of Qatar is a leader in the use of BIM technologies. She noted that this technology has become a vital tool for executing complex projects, owing to the advanced capabilities it offers for studying, designing, and analyzing various project components prior to the actual execution phase.

In press remarks on the sidelines of the conference, the first of its kind in Qatar, she noted that the event aims to highlight the field of building modeling and showcase key developments, experiences, and projects executed using this technology, as well as to discuss the challenges facing its implementation and prospects for its future development.

She noted that Qatar has begun utilizing this technology in a number of significant projects, highlighting the National Museum of Qatar as a key example of where building modeling has been employed, in addition to various road projects undertaken by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal).

Regarding the prevalence of building modeling technology at both the Gulf and international levels, Eng. Al Naama indicated that while the technology is relatively new, its adoption has become widespread across the Gulf states and globally. She highlighted Qatar's commitment to keeping pace with developments in the construction sector, including BIM technologies.

She indicated that the impact of using BIM on construction processes is primarily reflected in the facilitation of construction operations, the reduction of project execution times, and the mitigation of risks that may arise on-site.

She highlighted that the technology allows for the simulation of the project's various stages and components within the model before they are implemented on the ground; this helps identify potential problems and errors at an early stage and avoid them before reaching the actual execution phase.

Regarding whether the priority for using this technology lies with government or private sector projects, she emphasized that it is not limited to a specific type of project. She indicated that the broader goal is to raise public awareness of the technology and to familiarize various entities with how to leverage and implement it in their projects.

For her part, Eng. Amna Al Baker, leader of the BIM team at Ashghal, said that the implementation of BIM within Ashghal has witnessed significant progress recently. She noted that the use of the model is no longer limited to coordination or modeling tasks; rather, it has evolved into an integrated system for managing engineering information and supporting decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

In the opening session, Al Baker noted that the conference serves as a platform bringing together engineers, specialists, experts, and professionals from various organizations and Gulf countries to discuss one of the most significant developments in the construction, project management, and asset management sectors.

She indicated that the practical experience Ashghal has gained in implementing BIM demonstrated that the primary value of this methodology begins in the project's early stages. She emphasized the importance of having clear policies and approved standards aligned with global benchmarks, thereby contributing to the development of modeling applications and maximizing their benefits.

She noted that the evolution of construction technologies, alongside the sector's advancements in digital twins, artificial intelligence, and other modern technologies, offers a significant opportunity to move beyond the mere application of BIM in projects. Instead, it enables the use of BIM as a fundamental pillar for future projects, facilitating their development through the leverage of modern technology.

The conference served as a specialized professional platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing modern experiences and practices in BIM, as well as discussing the future of digital transformation in the engineering sector, all amidst rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, digital twinning, and engineering information and data management.

The conference addressed a range of key topics, including the frameworks and standards governing BIM implementation, project management and interdisciplinary integration, and its applications in the civil and industrial sectors. It also covered the integration of BIM with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the use of artificial intelligence in design, project management, and the analysis of data, risks, and costs, as well as digital twin applications in asset and facility management and smart city development.

The conference's scientific program featured five panel discussions and five specialized papers addressing key themes. Notable among these were the frameworks, standards, and regulations governing the implementation of BIM and its future outlook; the importance of BIM in the civil and industrial sectors; the management of GIS using BIM; modern technologies and artificial intelligence; and the management of projects, risks, and costs.

The conference papers also addressed a range of important topics regarding project management and integration using BIM, the latest implementation techniques and their benefits for government projects, and the role of Building Information Modeling as a foundation for modern technologies and artificial intelligence, thereby providing a platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing practical applications and future trends in the field.

The Qatar Society of Engineers invited project managers, consultants, contractors, and engineering specialists in BIM, digital transformation, and modern technologies to attend the conference, participate in its sessions and presentations, and benefit from the shared experiences and expertise. These efforts aim to broaden the scope of knowledge exchange and foster dialogue regarding the future of BIM and its applications within Qatar's engineering sector. (QNA)