IQ President, Ben Williams FIQ, proudly welcomed distinguished representatives from the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) National Security Institute (NSI) to the National Stone Centre (NSC) in Derbyshire (UK), marking a significant milestone in international collaboration for the quarrying and extractives industries.
The NSI visiting team included Mr. Nahayan Alteneiji - Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Kamal Saleh - Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ghazanfar Imran - Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Ageel Bishara - Executive Office Manager.
Underscoring the importance of this emerging relationship, the NSI representatives demonstrated their commitment by flying in and out on the same day, highlighting their dedication to forging strong ties with the IQ and supporting the growth of a vibrant professional community in the UAE.
During their visit, the NSI representatives received a comprehensive presentation by IQ’s President on the Institute of Quarrying’s century-long legacy, its mission, and its vision for the future, including the development of the new center of excellence at the NSC site.
The guests were toured by the President around the Millennium Wall, the M1 Quarry, and other key features of the NSC site, engaging in discussions about potential cultural contributions to the walls and collaborative opportunities in training and education going forward.
Ben Williams FIQ - IQ President, remarked: “The visit from NSI was a powerful reminder of the global relevance of our work. We were proud to share our history and ambitions, and we’re excited about the potential for this partnership to bring our educational programmes, such as the Diploma in Surface Mining Explosives Engineering, to a wider international audience.”
The partnership was made possible through the efforts of Javier Muñoz - IQ Honorary Vice President and Chief Training Officer for EPC Asia Pacific, whose work in the UAE has been instrumental in building bridges between the two organisations.
“This collaboration is a testament to the shared values of safety, education, and professional excellence that both NSI and IQ uphold,” said Javier. “It’s an honour to help bring our communities together and lay the groundwork for a thriving IQ presence in the UAE.”
James Thorne - IQ CEO, added: “We were delighted to welcome NSI to the National Stone Centre. Their commitment to advancing safety and professional standards aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to supporting their journey in establishing a strong IQ branch in the UAE.”
The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mr. Nahayan Alteneiji - CEO of NSI and Ben Williams FIQ – IQ President.
This agreement lays the foundation for the establishment of an IQ branch in the UAE, aimed at fostering professional development, raising safety standards, and educational excellence across the region’s extractives sector.