The Project Management Institute-Arabian Gulf Chapter (PMI-AGC) was founded with a vision to enhance Project Management to become a “Profession of Choice” within the Gulf Region and the Middle East. Since the chapter’s inception and until today, PMI-AGC members are a mix of professionals from around the world, most of whom are currently located in the GCC countries. The organization is led by President Salem H. Shaheen from his base in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, but local representatives, known as directors, are strategically located throughout the GCC.
PMI-AGC was founded in 1992 with the first election of officers taking place after a dinner at Le Gulf Meridien Hotel in Alkhobar. Richard C. Hauptmann was PMI-AGC’s first president and Saleh A. Al-Yami served as the organization’s first vice president. At that first dinner, the group started out with 16 people. It has now grown to nearly 1,000 members. The local chapter is part of the larger PMI international organization and actively participates in international conferences, competitions and training.
PMI-AGC (www.pmi-agc.com) attracts a wide membership that includes students and retirees as well as individuals currently in the work force. The group is supported by a number of GCC companies such as Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Zakum Development Company, Saad Group, Khalifa Al-Gosaibi Group, Lucent Technologies, Kuwait Oil Company, Qatar General Petroleum, Zuhair Fayez Partnership, Oman Telecommunication and Kharafi National.
While one purpose of PMI-AGC is regional networking, the organization also offers professional training and career enhancement certifications. Membership in PMI provides many opportunities to advance any individual’s project management knowledge and skills. Certification as a Project Management Professional or an Associate in Project Management are excellent entries on any resume.