ASIS News May 2015
The ASIS International 6th Middle East Security Conference & Exhibition filled the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), February 15-17. More than 580 attendees from 45 countries gathered to take part in cutting-edge learning and networking opportunities, product showcases and demonstrations, discussions, and innovative educational sessions. The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, deputy chairman of police and general security.
The conference opened with a keynote address by His Excellency Major General Khamis Mutar Al Muzainah, commander-in-chief of the Dubai Police, followed by a second keynote by Mohammed Al-Shammary, general manager of industrial security at Saudi Aramco.
During the second day, a panel discussion on how the introduction of security industry regulations has contributed to increasing industry’s performance and the effect on the customer and end user experiences was presented by leading experts and decision makers including His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Saad Al-Ageel, general secretary of the Higher Commission for Industrial Security in the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Colonel Abdul Rahim Bin Shafi, director of the Anti-Organised Crime Department of the Dubai Police; and Dr. Marc Siegel, commissioner of the Global Standards Initiative of ASIS International. Professor Moray McLaren from the IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, was the closing keynote speaker, giving the presentation “A New Approach to Negotiation.”
During the two packed days, attendees were given access to 33 educational sessions featuring speakers from Saudi Aramco, Zurich Insurance Company, Johnson & Johnson, Securitas, G4S, Sanofi, and others. Thirty companies from around the globe showcased their products and services at the exhibition. In addition, several networking events were organized. Attendees enjoyed a welcome reception, followed by the ASIS International President’s Reception on Monday evening at Al Badia Golf Club, and a CSO Roundtable Summit designed for chief security officers was held in parallel during the conference and exhibition.
“The Middle East Security Conference was a great success, and I was very impressed with the level of expertise of the presenters. I personally gained a much better appreciation for regional security issues and the unique challenges our members face each day there. I had the opportunity to meet and network with new colleagues and feel confident I know who to call for now when navigating issues across the region,” notes ASIS President Dave N. Tyson, CPP. “After attending some of the Middle East Advisory Council meeting and observing the energy and progress in action within that group and throughout the local chapters, there is reason for great optimism for both the growth of the Society and the increased value for members in the region.”
The ASIS 7th Middle East Security Conference & Exhibition will once again take place at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City, February 21-23, 2016. For more information about the event please contact [email protected].
Al Ma’arefa Scholarship Launched
The Al Ma’arefa (House of Knowledge) Scholarship was officially launched by Dubai Chapter Vice Chair Peter Page, CPP, at the February Dubai Chapter meeting held at the ASIS International 6th Middle East Security Conference and Exhibition in Dubai. The scholarship is believed to be a global first, wherein a chapter will partner with businesses to sponsor an ASIS member based in the Middle East to prepare for taking the Certified Protection Professional® (CPP), Physical Security Professional® (PSP), or Certified Professional Investigator® (PCI) examination.
A scholarship committee has been established that will be led by the Dubai Chapter Foundation liaison officer. Its role is to assess potential candidates and to select the successful Al Ma’arefa scholar, as well as to manage the scholarship on an ongoing basis.
This year the scholarship will be open to Dubai Chapter members, and next year it will also be available to Abu Dhabi Chapter members. In 2017, the scholarship will be open to members throughout ASIS Region 12.
The scholarship committee will assess candidates on criteria including current membership in good standing with a chapter eligible for the scholarship, regular attendance at chapter meetings and events, ongoing professional development, the potential for volunteer leadership in the future, and financial need.
The Al Ma’arefa Scholarship sponsors are: Adenar Ltd., 360 Vision Technology, VMS, Xtralis, Canon, Maxxess, and Mitsubishi.
