womanthismonth.com | NOVEMBER 2025 INTERVIEW 5 Compared to other sectors, construction remains behind in terms of professionalisation, digital transformation and data-driven decisionmaking. The current market’s emphasis on the lowest price often compromises quality, sustainability and innovation and in some cases, it fuels adversarial relationships between project stakeholders rather than collaboration. Equally important is the need to prioritise employee wellbeing and workforce welfare. The construction industry is built on its people, and when workers feel valued, safe and supported, productivity, morale and craftsmanship all improve. One policy change I would strongly recommend is to enforce sustainability as a core evaluation criterion in both public and private sector projects. This would align Bahrain’s construction practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthen the country’s position as a regional leader in sustainable development. Finally, adopting more collaborative forms of contracting, such as the NEC suite, would foster trust, transparency and shared accountability among clients, consultants and contractors. How would you assess the interest in construction amongst Bahraini students in recent years and how are you tailoring the curriculum to support regional needs? We’re seeing growing interest in specialised pathways such as quantity surveying, construction project management and sustainability and quality management. Today’s generation is highly motivated by technology and the rise of artificial intelligence. At the university, our goal is to harness that enthusiasm and channel it into digitising the construction industry. We are embedding advanced software tools, AI, and machine learning applications into the learning experience to prepare students for the future of construction management. As a Chartered Construction Manager, which project management frameworks or tools have proven most effective in Bahrain’s regulatory and cultural context? In Bahrain’s regulatory and cultural context, successful project management depends on frameworks that balance structure, collaboration and adaptability. While traditional frameworks like the PMBOK remain valuable for governance and compliance, the most effective results often come from integrating Lean Construction principles with modern digital tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM). Lean Construction has proven especially relevant in Bahrain because it focuses on reducing waste, improving flow and maximising value while also fostering teamwork and continuous improvement. Lean offers a cultural shift toward respect for people, early stakeholder engagement, and transparency. Its effectiveness is also enhanced when paired with more collaborative contract models, such as the NEC suite, which encourage transparency and shared responsibility, a much-needed shift from the traditional adversarial approach. You have presented research on green roofs internationally. What is the realistic business case for green roofs in Bahrain’s climate? Green roofs have strong potential in Bahrain, but their success depends on establishing a clear and realistic business case. From my research comparing Bahrain and Singapore, we found that when designed with appropriate materials and irrigation systems, green roofs can significantly reduce energy consumption, and urban heat even in hot climates like ours. However, wider adoption requires policy support that embeds sustainability within building regulations. When sustainability becomes a compliance requirement rather than a voluntary effort, developers start to see green roofs as a long-term investment improving energy efficiency, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing property value. Can you tell us about the purpose of the British Embassy event held at the end of last month and your role in that? The event, titled ‘Building Bridges: Uniting Visions, Forging Futures,’ was a very special evening organised by the CIOB Bahrain Hub in collaboration with the British Embassy. Its purpose was to bring together academics, students and industry professionals to strengthen the connection between education and industry and to celebrate excellence in Bahrain’s construction community. We awarded CIOB Certificates of Excellence to outstanding graduates and presented Chartered Memberships to professionals who achieved one of the highest standards in construction management. Looking five years ahead, which construction technologies or procurement reforms do you expect to gain traction in Bahrain? Over the next five years, I expect Bahrain’s construction sector to embrace a wave of digital transformation driven by the adoption of BIM, digital twins, AI-powered project management and sustainability assessment tools. These technologies will redefine how projects are designed, delivered and maintained enabling more transparent, data-driven and sustainable outcomes. On the procurement side, I anticipate a gradual shift from traditional lowest-bid models toward value-based and collaborative contracting frameworks. These models will prioritise partnership, risk-sharing and whole-life project value, an approach that aligns perfectly with Bahrain’s vision for sustainable and efficient development. At the CIOB Bahrain Hub, our mission is to ensure our members are prepared to lead this transformation. We’re doing this by promoting continuing professional development, industryacademia collaboration and exposure to global best practices. Anything more to add? On a personal note, being part of CIOB has shown me how powerful shared purpose can be. Every event, every collaboration reminds me that we’re not just constructing buildings, we’re shaping the future of how people live, work and connect. I’m excited about what’s ahead for Bahrain’s construction industry and proud of the growing community of passionate professionals leading that change.
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