FOR COUNCIL
Swapan Das, P.Eng., PhD
Personal Statement
I have been a proud member of APEGA for over two decades and feel that this organization can do more to bring forward the work members are doing professionally to improve the quality of life and environment in Alberta and worldwide. We are 60,000 strong—a group of highly educated professionals with diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. It does not seem right that APEGA should be oblivious and succumb to external pressures on our livelihoods, most of which are political and created by vested interest groups. APEGA members are working hard every moment to improve processes and technologies for a better world. With such a huge talent pool in APEGA, we need to use facts and figures to educate people, mostly the youngsters, about reality, so that they are aware and are not emotionally blackmailed. This is not about taking a side but about bringing out the truth. Our CPD system needs to be made more effective and relevant. It should not be about just checking boxes. The current economic situation in Alberta has forced many of us into survival mode, working in gas stations or doing odd jobs. We deserve a reprieve and should not be led to arbitrary courses for fulfilling our CPD requirement.
APEGA needs to break the status quo. Lost membership may be a slippery slope for APEGA. Part of the APEGA vision is to instill pride in Members. I will raise this in Council as a priority.
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