“I think we can help develop a strong community of professionals, a community that helps each other, a community that is caring, a community that takes the time to listen to each other,” he says. Edited and condensed for publication, the following is based on a recent conversation with the President in his Calgary home. Why did you run for President, and why do you think it’s important to serve in this way? Nima Dorjee I’ve been involved in APEGA since soon after I graduated from the University of Calgary, so the presidency is an extension of something I’ve been doing for quite some time. I’ve always felt that contributing as a volunteer is a good way to take part in our overall duty and mandate to protect the public. But beyond that, it’s an opportunity to serve my profession and the profession of geoscience. I realized some time ago that it’s always better to be there and be making a difference, especially when you have the opportunity or the ability to do so. APEGA relies on volunteers, in helping staff deliver services and in ensuring that our regulatory and public protec- tion mandate is met. I’ve always felt that it’s not enough just to wait for someone else to do it. You have to step up to serve. I am where I am because of others who have served in their capacity, giving me many of the opportunities I enjoy. Should I or should I not contribute is not really a question. 'I’ve always felt that it’s not enough just to wait for someone else to do it. You have to step up to serve. I am where I am because of others who have served in their capacity, giving me many of the opportunities I enjoy. Should I or should I not contribute is not really a question.'
I let my name stand for President because I feel some issues important to the professions need extra emphasis and because big changes continue to affect our professions. Many of these relate to globalization, technology, and how and where engineering and geo- science work occurs. Let’s talk more about that. A big part of globalization is outsourcing or off-shoring—the use of engineers and geoscientists elsewhere to work on Alberta projects, even though they aren’t licensed here. Other than reviewing and authenticating by Alberta professionals, what needs to be done? ND Well, before we look at solutions, I think we first need to understand how big the problem is. If it turns out that most of the work is happening elsewhere, we will need to re-examine our role in protecting the public. And no matter what, we will need to step up and offer solutions. I am not convinced that local review and authentication—at least in the way they’re done now—are enough. The initial intent of what we now call the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act was to protect Albertans from work done—in this province—by engineers and geoscientists. Over the last 20-odd years, things have changed drastically. People doing the work may not be within the boundaries of Alberta. I suspect that in many cases they aren’t even reporting directly to APEGA professionals. I hope in the next year we can at least get into discussions that will allow us to become a smarter regulator in this new world.
SUMMER 2018 PEG | 11
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