The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and the Arab Centre for Engineering Studies (ACES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to realise a partnership between the two organisations to collaborate on projects throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

RSS President HRH Princess Sumaya stressed the importance of collaborating closely with industry and the private sector to increase the magnitude and variety of projects carried out regionally, according to a RSS statement.

 "We look forward to expanding the scope of this MoU in the very near future through the integration of work between the ACES and the RSS, especially in new local and regional projects. Moreover, we are excited about the many learning opportunities both parties will enjoy by sharing experiences, and acquiring new expertise, technical otherwise,” the princess said.

The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation between both entities to provide advisory services for environmental, food and industrial chemistry testing. 

Both parties will collaborate to provide testing services in mechanics, energy efficiency and renewable energy and advisory services related to measurement, calibration and conformity certificates, as well as training and capacity building. 

Capitalising on ACES’ wide network of regional offices, both organisations will offer their services in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Iraq, and Kuwait, the statement said. 

The MoU was signed by RSS Vice President for Technical Affairs Tareq Hasan and ACES’ CEO Izzat Katkhuda. 

Hasan said that in addition to the RSS’ accredited testing services in 41 international and local laboratories based on the ISO17025 standard, the RSS implements research and development (R&D) projects with local industries and universities to foster innovation and intellectual properties. 

Moreover, the RSS performs inspection services and issues conformity certifications according to the ISO9001 and the international ISO17020 and ISO17065 certificates.

Katkhuda elaborated that the Arab Centre is a specialised engineering company with 20 offices spanning across the Middle East. 

He added that ACES offers a wide range of specialised engineering services including site reconnaissance, geotechnical investigations, material technology, project quality control, special studies, land and marine surveys, and chemical and environmental testing. 

 "ACES has grown into a company that employs more than 2,300 engineers, scientists, and professionals, and maintains state-of-the-art equipment including soil excavators, laboratories and field-testing equipment which is accredited by international bodies, with ISO9001, ISO17025, ISO45001 and ISO14001 certificates,” Katkhuda said.