Certification, education and training, guidelines for stronger building codes and a concrete community that contributes to a safer, more sustainable built environment.
The United Nations estimates that seven out of 10 people are likely to be living in cities and other urban centers by 2050. This influx of more than 2.6 billion additional people to urban areas will place extra demands on resources and services, including the need for safe, affordable housing and resilient, sustainable infrastructure.
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a leading global authority for consensus-based standards, tech[1]nical resources, and certification programs. Its Middle East Regional Office and local chapters collaborate with organizations to provide education and encourage the adoption of ACI standards for high-quality concrete design and construction.
Certification Programs
ACI chapters and industry partners sponsor certification programs to help individuals improve their knowledge and skills, advancing their careers. ACI-certified personnel are a powerful value proposition for employers, as they can award jobs with confidence, knowing the work will be performed correctly and in compliance with codes and standards. More than 30 chapters and sponsoring groups in the Middle East and North Africa offer 11 certification exams, with nearly 1,500 certifications issued since 2018.
A new certification program, ACI 318 Design Professional, is under development for degreed civil engineers. The first exam addressed the 2014 version of ACI 318, and future exams will offer certification for ACI 318-19 and subsequent code versions.
Chapters and Membership Benefits
ACI, a global association of concrete professionals, offers members opportunities to gain technical knowledge, develop leadership skills, and expand their professional networks. Chapters are located in various countries, including Iraq, Kurdistan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabian Eastern Province, UAE, and Egypt. The aim is to advance concrete knowledge and create a local concrete community.
Members receive discounts or free access to events, ACI publications, and translations of documents in Arabic. They also have access to the ACI member directory and ACI University online learning resources, which provide on-demand learning on various topics in concrete materials, design, construction, and repair.
Student Chapters and Scholarships
ACI chapters sponsor student chapters at various institutions across the region, offering learning and networking opportunities. Student membership is free, and there are 29 student chapters in the Middle East region and in North Africa. The ACI Foundation established the Middle East North Africa Fellowship in 2018, worth 10,000 USD including a travel stipend, to increase knowledge-sharing in the region. Chapters are located in various countries, including Iraq, Kurdistan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabian Eastern Province, Abu Dhabi – UAE, and Egypt. The ACI Foundation also offers scholarships worth USD 5,000 for full-time concrete-related degree programs. Applications for the 2024-2025 award cycle are open from July 5-Nov. 1, 2023
An Established Middle East/North Africa Presence
ACI opened a regional office in Dubai, UAE, in 2019, focusing on increasing access to ACI's technical and educational resources and raising awareness of regional concrete design and construction practices. The office has established strong relationships with governmental bodies, educational institutions, companies, and construction industry organizations. ACI also has membership in the International Code Council's MENA Building Science Advisory Council, providing unbiased expertise on emerging building safety issues.
Conferences and Workshops
The ACI Middle East Regional Office collaborates with ACI chapters and other entities to organize events and workshops to introduce attendees to ACI and its standards. These include the annual Big 5 Global conference, a Morocco workshop, a workshop on protecting the Kurdistan Region from earthquake hazards, a two-day ACI Concrete Conference on Innovation, and a virtual ACI 24 Hours of Concrete Knowledge global conference. The ACI Middle East Regional Office is also partnering with the Saudi Building Code National Committee to host the ACI Concrete Conference on Codes, Standards and Best Practices (ACI-MEC 2023) in November 2023.
