CHARTERED ENGINEER PROFILE
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. The Singapore Engineer (TSE): Could you provide a few highlights of your education and career to-date, including the qualifications and certifications obtained? 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. TSE: Could you comment on your career thus far, highlighting some of the achievements? 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 14
THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER October 2021
Ir. Karel Vysata
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. TSE: What are some of the projects that you are currently involved in? 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. TSE: Could you briefly describe the scope of your current duties? 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. TSE: What motivated you to become a Chartered Engineer? 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
