The Faculties of Civil Engineering and Architecture Participate in the AACE Syria Conference on Project Management and Cost Estimation
The Faculties of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the International University for Science and Technology (IUST) participated in the AACE_Syria conference, specializing in project management and cost estimation. The Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Dr. Abdul-Manan Arabi, attended, along with a group of professors, students, and alumni. Dr. Muhammad Shaaban, a faculty member from the Faculty of Architecture, also participated.
The conference, held on November 29-30, 2025, at the Seven Gates Hotel in Damascus, witnessed a large turnout of international and expatriate Syrian experts, as well as leaders from the public and private sectors. The aim was to exchange experiences and discuss the latest professional tools used in planning, project monitoring, conflict management, and infrastructure governance. The conference also marked the launch of the first Syrian branch of AACE International, aiming to connect local expertise with international standards and support Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
Dr. Mohammed Shaaban, from the Faculty of Architecture, delivered an important presentation addressing the challenges of effectively estimating and managing engineering project costs in Syria. He pointed out that construction projects in Syria suffer from numerous problems, exacerbated by several factors, most notably the emigration of engineering professionals, the scarcity of projects, and economic challenges.
He emphasized that effective project management can contribute to reducing costs by up to 20-25%.
Dr. Shaaban also discussed the challenges of estimating project costs in Syria in two main phases:
First: Challenges of the Design and Pre-Implementation Phase
This phase focuses on establishing the foundations for cost management and monitoring, such as scheduling according to international methodologies. He also stressed that design quality plays a crucial role in minimizing project conflicts, thus contributing to time and cost savings. He further emphasized the importance of using modern technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modeling), which significantly reduces design problems and errors. Second: Challenges of the Implementation Phase
These challenges lie in applying global project management methodologies such as PMP (Project Management Professional) and monitoring project performance using time and cost indicators according to the Earned Values (EVM) methodology. This approach allows for cost monitoring and forecasting, enabling the owner to know the project completion date and its expected cost.
The vital role of the Project Management Committee within the Syrian Engineers Syndicate and Syrian universities, including IUST, was also highlighted in training engineering personnel capable of efficiently managing reconstruction projects, despite the economic challenges. The importance of updating university curricula in engineering faculties and aligning them with global developments and publications from international professional associations such as AACE was discussed, to achieve scientific and practical training that meets the latest global standards in project management.
The participation of the Faculties of Civil and Architectural Engineering in this event underscores their commitment to keeping pace with the rapid developments in the construction and project management sector. It also provides students and graduates with the opportunity to learn about the latest global experiences and expertise, thus enhancing their practical skills and preparing them to participate in future reconstruction projects.
