A commitment to Continuing Professional Development

Ir. Karel Vysata tells ‘The Singapore Engineer’ that besides providing proof of competency, expertise and the right work ethic, the internationally recognised CEng qualification also enhances employment prospects and mobility.

Ir. Karel Vysata

Karel Vysata (KV): The first four years of my elementary education even date back to the times when Czechoslovakia, the place of my birth, was a communist country. The political regime eventually collapsed in 1989, which initiated many social and educational reforms. This had a profound impact on my personal development as a teenager. When I turned 18, I grounded my aviation dreams and decided to study Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague. That is where I found my passion for bridge engineering. After receiving my master’s degree in 2004, I moved to the United Kingdom where I spent a decade working for consulting companies on various infrastructure projects, ranging from strengthening works for existing railway bridges to large highway schemes such as the Queensferry Crossing. This was a brilliant project that gave me a great opportunity to engage in the planning and scheme design of the longest, three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. In 2010, I successfully passed my Chartered Professional Review with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Since 2014, I have been living in Southeast Asia and working on mostly large D&B projects such as KVMRT (Line 2) in Malaysia, Central Kowloon Route in Hong Kong and North-South Corridor in Singapore. I also became a member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES). Recently, I have registered myself as an IntPE with the British Council and as a CEng with IES in the Infrastructure sector. In addition to that, I am a Professional Reviewer for ICE.

KV: In general, I value my engineering skills and competencies, which I developed by working with some outstanding engineers on many different civil engineering projects, over the years. When those abilities are used wisely and ethically, they can make a tangible difference to people's lives. That is what makes my work rewarding. Perhaps I should share some real accomplishments from my work as a Design Engineer. For example, on a project in Hong Kong, I certified complex temporary steel works for a Specialist Contractor erecting a precast segmental deck over the existing highway. On a different assignment, I inspected and assessed existing highway bridges for a heavy haulage company seeking a permit to safely transport abnormal loads. Another example would be my engagement in a multidisciplinary engineering team, designing various flood prevention structures commissioned by a local council to protect its communities.

KV: Currently, I am working as a Specialist Bridge Engineer on Contract N101 of the North South Corridor (NSC) project. In this site-based role, I provide bridge-related technical support and expertise to QP(S) and LTA teams. The proposed works involve the construction of an NSC tunnel between ECP and Victoria Street and include several viaducts required to connect the new expressway with the existing road network. The contract was awarded to GS Engineering & Construction Corporation at a contract sum of SGD 640 million.

KV: My current duties involve reviewing the Contractor’s design and execution documents such as design reports, construction drawings, method statements, risk assessments or erection sequences relating to proposed viaducts and associated temporary works. As the construction gradually progresses on site, I will get more involved in the inspection, supervision and monitoring of the actual works. What makes this contract technically challenging is the interface of the proposed NSC tunnel and viaducts with a new underground facility building and the existing MRT lines, in combination with the complex geology of Kallang Formation. Moreover, the construction works have to be carefully staged, to ensure minimum disruption to road traffic as well as to tenants and businesses occupying adjacent high-rise buildings.

KV: To be honest, I was just happy to have a degree and a paid job at the start of my career. However, it did not take me long to notice that some of my older colleagues put in a lot of time and effort in signing off on some kind of competency objectives. It made me curious until I

eventually realised how I could benefit from obtaining the certification needed to perform this role. I was also motivated by my manager who mentored me through the whole process and helped me to prepare for my Professional Review. In the end, it took me over five years to become a Chartered Engineer.

KV: By working towards my CEng qualification, I got familiar with the concept of Continuing Professional Development. This self-directed and reflective approach to ongoing learning and upskilling enabled me to further enhance my engineering knowledge and strengthen various transferrable as well as interpersonal skills. Being professionally qualified not only shows my commitment, skills and experience as an Engineer, it also demonstrates to employers and clients that I have competencies, expertise and the work ethic that they value. Besides, the qualification is recognised internationally. Hence, it has enhanced my employment prospects and mobility too.

Ir. Karel in Japan. Behind him is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

KV: One of the requirements for a CEng registration is to be an IES member. I The Hong Kong Link Road Bridge project, photographed during a site visit in 2015. use my membership as a good source of industry-related information, engineering knowledge and training opportunities. In addition, I would like to take more advantage of networking opportunities, in order to create closer links with the local engineering community. In fact, it is one of the reasons why I agreed to participate in this Q&A session! It is a good way to reach out to other members and share my professional experience.

KV: I would advise them to find a good mentor. It is much easier to go through the process of developing professional competencies with someone who can give you the right guidance, advice and feedback. Also, it helps to work for a company that is committed to providing its employees with on-the-job training.

KV: I would choose to meet Sir Ove Nyquist Arup, the founder of the engineering firm which bears his name now. In his working life, he pursued ideals of ‘Total Architecture’ and promoted humanitarian values. His philosophical, artistic and practical approach to engineering and business earned him a good reputation and influence within the profession. Many people know him for the design of Sydney Opera House in Australia, but I also appreciate Arup’s design of Kingsgate Bridge in Durham, England.

KV: To conclude, I generally believe that working towards a CEng qualification helps to instil in every Engineer a commitment to professional development and a moral obligation to society and the environment. However, obtaining the qualification is not a route to obvious success. It is just a small step on the way. Engineering has never been about how many qualifications you have, but rather how you can apply your knowledge to solve problems or to develop new ideas. A good example of that is Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an English Civil Engineer, who became one of the 19th century engineering giants.