FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT/VICE-PRESIDENT Nima Dorjee, P.Eng.
Personal Statement Due to the economic downturn, thousands of our Members have lost their jobs, and many graduating engineers and geoscientists have not been able to enter their chosen profession. During these difficult times, APEGA must restore and increase membership services to help Members. We must work with our Permit Holders, government, and membership to find solutions to ease the difficulties Members face. We must develop closer relationships with other organizations that serve Members. APEGA is the largest professional association in Alberta. We have been entrusted with the privilege of self-regulation and with this comes great responsibility. First and foremost is our responsibility to maintain the public's trust through the licensing of competent and ethical Professional Engineers and Geoscientists. In today’s environment, it is conceivable for a project to have the entirety of its engineering and design work completed overseas (outside of APEGA’s regulatory authority) and only have the final work assembled in Alberta. So, one of the most important issues facing APEGA today is the challenge of regulating the engineering profession in an era of outsourcing and offshoring. We need to ensure consistent regulation of technical work in engineering and geoscience, regardless of where the work is done. I believe that the intent of the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act is to protect and ensure public safety in Alberta. Our Members are best served and the public interest is best protected when APEGA regulates the professions effectively. We must find the right balance between adapting to changes in the global economy and APEGA’s duty to uphold professional and ethical standards to ensure public safety in Alberta. APEGA Members work on some of the most complex engineering and geoscience projects around the world. They provide technical solutions to some of the most challenging problems society faces. We have a duty to participate in the public debate on the issues that involve our professions, and to inform the public and elected officials of options so that they can make the right decisions to serve Alberta's interests. I believe APEGA must provide the forum in which our Members — with their professional and technical expertise — can be heard and engage in discussions with the public to better serve our communities and our province. Our professions’ impact on Alberta and our province’s economy is significant, and we must not be shy in advancing the interests of our Members and professions with government. We must engage in greater advocacy work. We must also be mindful of the enormous trust society has placed upon us. I look for your support and look forward to engaging you in discussions on these and other matters that concern you and our Association.
Nima Dorjee, P.Eng., was born in a Tibetan refugee settlement in India. Nima has called Calgary home since 1981. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary in 1992. While attending the university in 1989, he was elected President of the 18,000-member students’ union. Upon graduation, Nima
founded EngIT Engineering Services, which specialized in providing E.I.T.s to employers for a short-term basis. In 1995, he joined the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Calgary. Under his leadership, the engineering internship program became the largest of its kind in Canada. In 2008, he was recognized with the Schulich School of Engineering’s Champion Award. The YMCA recognized Nima's involvement in human rights by awarding him the Canada Peace Medal in 1997, and in 2007 he received the Calgary Freedom of Expression Award. Since 2008, Nima has devoted his time to projects related to the Dalai Lama’s work on human values. This included working at the private office of the Dalai Lama in India. Since 2011, Nima has served as the President of Project Tibet Society, which is responsible for the resettlement of 1,000 Tibetan refugees from northern India to Canada. Nima was elected the Vice-President of APEGA in 2015. Nima and his wife of 25 years, Dr. Tsering Dorjee, have two daughters. APEGA Activities • Vice-President, 2015-2016 • Audit Committee, APEGA 2015-2016 • Co-chair, Joint Legislative Review Committee (2015-present) • Member, Investigative Committee (2012-present) • Member, Nomination Committee (2011-2012; 2004) • Member, Licensure Task Force (2001-2003) • Member, Council (2000-2003) • Member (1992-present) Affiliations, Corporate or Community Service • Chair of Fundraising, APEGA Education Foundation (current) • Board Member, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society • Co-chair, International Tibet Support Network • Chair, Engineering Alumni Chapter, University of Calgary • Member, Task Force on Racial and Cultural Diversity, City of Calgary • President, Students’ Union, University of Calgary • Member, Board of Governors, University of Calgary
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