24 February 2015 – Philippine Consul General Frank R. Cimafranca swore in 82 new Filipino architects in Dubai who passed the recently concluded 2014 Licensure Exams, bringing in the total number of licensed Filipino architects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to 697, including 40 new passers from Abu Dhabi.  The latest batch in Dubai made history for posting the highest passing mark at 84.5% in the six-year run of the licensure exams administered in Abu Dhabi.  For the past five years, the passing rate in Dubai and the Middle East-North African (MENA) region have been pegged at 50% and the new batch in Dubai both had the highest number of examinees and passers. 

The new architects, collectively known as Batch Fathiyya or Conquerors, also took their oaths as new members of the United Architect of the Philippines-UAE (UAP).  Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Grace R. Princesa and the UAP also honored the top examinees in Dubai and the MENA region during the ceremony which was also attended by Deputy Consul General Giovanni Palec and UAP National Vice-President Architect Rey S. Gabitan.

In his speech, Consul General Cimafranca reminded the new Filipino architects on the need for even greater professionalism and competence in their workplace and on faith in the Filipino expatriates' contribution to the Philippine society. END