01 May 2020
The ACEN News Circular for May 2020 outlines critical updates, decisions, and opportunities affecting ACEN members and the consulting engineering industry. Below is a summarized overview:
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Transition to Home-Based Office:
ACEN announced the permanent shift of its office to a home-based setup, following the successful remote operations during COVID-19 lockdowns. Office hours and member services remain unaffected. -
Updates from the Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN):
- Joint efforts to request an hourly tariff increase were resubmitted to the Minister for approval.
- Discussions continue around registering consulting engineering companies under the Engineering Act.
- Calls to update the MWTC disbursement schedule and address travel time issues remain ongoing.
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Collaborative Stakeholder Meeting:
A meeting between DoW, NCAQS, and ECN addressed issues such as disbursements, the Procurement Act, and DoW directives. Follow-up actions were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. -
Procurement Act – Industry Sub-Committee (ISC):
The ISC focuses on improving the understanding of the Procurement Act and creating standardized client-consultant agreements and terms of reference. -
Contractual Documentation – PROCSA:
ACEN recommends the PROCSA Suite of Documents combined with its Annexure C Fee Scale Model for client-consultant agreements. A PROCSA webinar is scheduled for June 2020. -
Membership Awareness Strategy:
ACEN distributes an updated list of registered member firms to various stakeholders, highlighting the benefits of hiring ACEN-member firms for contracts. -
Internship Incentive Initiative:
Member firms can claim reimbursement for hosting interns by submitting detailed internship reports. Incentives will be applied to ACEN Membership Fee invoices annually. -
Membership Fees:
Invoices for 2020/2021 were sent in March 2020, with payments due by the end of June 2020. Members are encouraged to contact ACEN if they haven’t received their invoices. -
Website and Facebook Page:
The ACEN website continues to operate smoothly, with plans to create an interactive Facebook page for sharing engineering-related information and boosting member firm visibility. -
ACEN AGM:
The AGM is scheduled for July 16, 2020. Members are requested to RSVP by June 15 and act on the resolution forms and nominations as outlined in the May 15 email. -
Workshops and Projects:
ACEN firms were invited to the 2nd MENA Green Building Congress 2020, an online event focusing on sustainable building practices.
Description:
The May 2020 newsletter reflects ACEN’s adaptability in the face of COVID-19, including its transition to remote operations and the continuation of critical engagements with stakeholders. It highlights initiatives like the Internship Incentive Program, collaborative procurement efforts, and the adoption of standardized documentation to strengthen professional practices. Additionally, the newsletter showcases ACEN’s commitment to sustainability and professional development through events like the Green Building Congress.
