جمعية المهندسين المعمارييين السودانية

As per Article 10.1 of the Constitution the following Byelaw shall govern the Council.

The General Meeting shall elect the members of the Council of the institute, consisting of a minimum of twenty four members, the exact number to be elected by each General Meeting to be determined by the Council.

The election process shall ensure wise and fair representation of members working in all sectors, namely public, semi public and private sectors, regional groups, gender etc as per council regulations.

The following are transitional provisions for the formulation of the first Council following the approval of this constitution:

a. The first Council shall consist of the previous Council members interested to continue plus newly elected members to bring the number of Council members to a total of twenty four.

b. Twelve of the newly elected members who gained the highest votes will serve as council members for four years. The previous council members plus the bottom of the list of the newly elected shall serve as Council members only for two years. Subsequently, all elections at the General meetings every two years shall be for four years term.

c. All Council members shall be eligible for re-election at the end of their terms of office.

As per Article 11.1 of the Constitution the following Byelaw shall govern the Executive Office

The Council shall elect from among its members the following honorary officers preferably from fellow members to constitute the executive office with a minimum of eight members:

As per Article 12.1 the Constitution the following Byelaw shall govern the Council Committees.

Council committees shall meet at least once between every two executive office meetings.

Each committee shall raise a written report to Executive Office to be raised to each Council meeting.

The Byelaws referred to in this 2008 Amended Constitution ought to be prepared as complement to the Constitution ASAP.

However, the following Byelaws are proposed for the election and membership of the Institute Council, Executive Office and Council Committees.

Thus it is required to be approved by 20th Oct. 2008 General Meeting in order to elect the Council accordingly.

The idea of creating a Sudanese Institute of Architects goes back to the late 1950s when the first Sudanese Architects who graduated from Egyptian and British Universities came to practice architecture and faced substantial professional difficulties. With the regular increase in the number of qualified Architects since 1961, mainly from the Department of Architecture, University of Khartoum, the emphasize on establishing the Institute gained a greater momentum, that at the request of a provisional committee of Architects, the authorities approved establishing the Institute on 28th December 1964.

Since then, the Institute continued to pursue its objectives according to a temporary constitution which was upheld by the General Meeting on 16th February 1966.

The first Councils of S.I.A. started to pave the way towards the recognition of the profession. In process, to meet some constitutional discrepancies, a proposed amendment was tabled for July 1970 General Meeting, which approved the Amendment to further advance the profession.

In line with the process of pushing for an Act of parliament to establish Sudan Engineers and Architects Council (S.E.A.C.) (المجلس الهندسي السوداني) to officially regulate, register, classify and to supervise the professional practice, S.I.A. Council formulated March 1975 Byelaw spelling out conditions for admitting applicants for fellow and full membership, in order to be acknowledged by S.E.A.C. once established.

S.E.A.C. was established by an Act of Parliament in May 1977. According to the Act, S.E.A.C. Council was mainly composed of the three recognized bodies namely: Sudan Engineering Society (S.E.S.), S.I.A., and Sudan Engineers and Architects Union (S.E.A.U.).

In March 1979, S.E.A.C. resolved to register and to classify Architects on the basis of S.I.A.. March 1975 Membership Byelaw and its Register.

b- In each General Meeting the four members of the Council who spent four years to leave for electring four new members to the Council.

c- Fellow and full members are the only members entitled to constitute the quorum and to vote in General Meetings.

e- In order to vet applicants for fellowship; The Council conferred upon three ex- presidents the Fellowship Status, so as to establish the first Fellowship Committee.

The fact that almost twenty years have passed since the first and last amendment, the rapidly increasing number of graduate architects, the establishment of S.E.A.C., the new architectural schools with different curriculums, the increasing development projects with building components, the professional mal-practice, and the need to accommodate previous Council interventions among others, led S.I.A. 1988 Council to prepare a proposal for amendment of the 1970 constitution and held a General Meeting on 27th February 1989.

The President Address to the General Meeting stated the following main advantages of the proposal:

a- The proposal promotes 1970 membership Article by categorizing the Membership into corporate and non-corporate membership and by defining the classes within each category.

b- The proposal suggests a four level hierarchical structure as a substitute for the two level of 1970 Constitution so as to broaden the involvement of its members in S.I.A. activities by representing academicians professionals in public, semipublic and private, regional groups, gender, etc.

d- The proposal aims to express Articles only on permanent (or constant) terms, thus leaving all variables to the Byelaws.

The general meeting approved the motion in general and each member took a copy of the proposal to respond in writing, but a totally new situation arose.

Following 30th June 1989 the professional organizations including S.I.A. were suspended. A very hostile environment was then created against academicians and professionals that over half the Council Members opted to leave Sudan.

By 1992 a new Trade Unions Act was launched and questions were raised regarding the situation of professional organizations with some hints that they should be part and parcel of the Professionals Unions (إتحادات المهنيين).

On 18th July 1994, The Appointed President of the Engineers and Architects Union (الإتحاد العام للمهندسين السودانيين) asked S.I.A., then president and secretary general in a special meeting to dissolve The Sudanese Institute of Architects (S.I.A.) so that architects can be activated under the umbrella of the Union.

a- The institute is an independent academic professional organization and constitutionally it is forbidden to indulge itself in political, regious or racial matters, and

Also in that meeting the appointed president of the Union was asked to give back S.I.A. office in Dar Al Muhandis as well as the documents that have been confiscated in order to commence S.I.A. activities.

By mid 1996 S.I.A. Secretary general left Sudan. Following this event, the president coopted a number of Architects to assist in running the basic affairs of the institute.

The hostile attitude started to relax during the year 2000, that it was possible to call for a General Meeting on 12th December 2000, which elected a new Council to run a comprehensive review of the proposed 1989 amendment and to repeal the 1970 constitution which is almost obsolete, in the light of the international professional references([1]) and the new arising professional challenges.

In addition to the already stated justifications and the fact those almost four decades have passed since the first and last July 1970 Constitution Amendment and since two decades have passed since 1989 proposed amendment, after which substantial changes and developments took place in the fields of architecture and the profession at large, including:

a- The wide public recognition, since the 1980(s) of the prominent role of the architect and the promising prospects of the architectural career, that led to the establishment of over 10 public and private architectural schools, with different curriculums, students intake levels, staff and environment that some of which and others to come yet need to be evaluated and recognized first by institute.

b- The substantial development that took place in the construction technology and the construction industry demanding certain levels of know how and professional relationships (project managers, designers, technologists, etc…)

c- The substantial jump in the number of registered Architects from 10(s) to over 1500 persons, considerable numbers of whom are working in some new development sectors and in different regions within and outside Sudan, creating their own active groups that need to be recognized and represented within S.I.A. organizational structure.

d- The need to put more emphasis on the 1970 code of professional conduct by introducing the principles of:

e- The fact that some Articles need to be added and some to be deleted and that a number of variables need to be covered in the Byelaws so as to limit the Constitution articles to constants only.

All the preceding justifications combinedly necessitate the proposed October 2008 comprehensive amendments to repeal the July 1970 Constitution and related Resolutions and Byelaws

The amendments to each article and justifications are shown by the following table:

([1]) 1- Professional References

1-1 RIBA, The charter: Supplemental charter 1971 and Byelaws,

Patron: Her Majority the Queen.

1-2 RIBA, Code of Professional Conduct, April 1997.

1-3 ICE, Royal Charter, Byelaws, Regulations and Rules, 1975.

1-4 IEE, Royal Charter and Byelaws, 1978.

1-5 UIA, “UIA Accord on recommended international students of professionalism in Architectural

Practice” adopted by 21st UIA Assembly, Beijin, China, line 28, 1999.

This amendment of July 1970 amended Constitution is authorized by the General Meeting of the Sudanese Institute of Architects (S.I.A.) held on 20th October 2008.

This 20th October 2008 amended Constitution of the Sudanese Institute of Architects (S.I.A.) repeals the July 1970 Amended Constitution and related Byelaw and Resolutions and supersedes any and all constitutions and amendments there to hereto adopted.

3.1 The Sudanese Institute of Architects Constitution Amended 20th October 2008.

3.2 The Date of Effectiveness is 20th October 2008 following the General Meeting Approval of the Amendment.

The Sudanese Institute of Architects (S.I.A.) is an Academic Professional Organization and shall by no means engage in politics, religious matters, racial… etc.

5.1 in this constitution, unless the contrary intention appears, the following words or expressions have the following meanings:

a. “The Byelaw” means the Byelaw for the time being in force under and by Virtue of Article 16 this Constitution.

c. “The Council” means the Council of the Institute as constituted under Article 10.

e. “The General Meeting” means a meeting of the Institute of the class which is termed under Article 9.2 as General Meeting”.

f. “Special General Meeting” means a meeting of the Institute of the class which is termed under Art.9.3 as “Special General Meeting”.

5.2 Where the provisions of this constitution confer any power or impose any duty then, unless the contrary appears, that power may be exercised and that duty shall be performed from time to time and when the occasion requires.

6.1 The advancement of Architecture and the promotion of the acquirement of the knowledge of the Arts and sciences connected therewith.

6.2 The definition of the role of the Architect in society and the emphasis on the value of his work.

6.3 The maintenance of public confidence in the integrity and ability of the Architect through applying a Code of Professional Conduct demanding from members the highest moral and professional standards.

6.5 The contribution in resolving societal development problems related to spatial planning, urban design, Architecture, housing, environment, ecology etc.

7.1 The membership of the Institute shall be divided into two categories: namely

7.2 Subject to the provision of the Byelaws, the Council may elect to any category, class or subclass of membership of the Institute such persons as it shall in its absolute discretion think fit, and the Council shall not be obliged to give any reason for its election of or refusal to elect a person to membership or to any category, class or subclass of membership.

7.3 The rights and obligations (including liability to pay entrance fees and subscriptions) of members of the Institute and the powers of the Council to reprimand, suspend or expel a member shall be such as this Constitution and the Byelaws shall provide or allow.

7.4 A registered member of the Institute may use after his name any statement or initials indicative of his class of membership as the Byelaws may allow.

8.1 The hierarchical organization of the Institute shall be of the following bodies:

8.2 The powers, functions and structure of each of the organizational bodies of the Institute shall be as will be brought up by this Constitution and the Byelaw.

9.1 The meetings of the members of the Institute shall be of three classes, namely:

9.2 The following Provisions shall have effect as regard to the General Meetings:

a- The General Meeting is the highest authority of the Institute and it has the right to amend the Constitution and the right to cancel any decision of the Council, except on matters where it has the sole right and power to determine.

b- The General Meeting shall be convened every two years at such place and such time on such date as the Council shall determine.

c- Only Corporate Members who have fully paid their subscriptions shall be entitled to vote.

d- The quorum shall be the majority of the registered members entitled to vote, with the exception of those outside Sudan, provided that if there is not a first General Meeting any number shall constitute a quorum in the next meeting called for by the Council within four weeks from the date of the first General Meeting.

e- The General Meeting shall discuss all matters concerning the aims of the Institute and all matters relating to this Constitution and shall elect:

f- All matters shall be decided by absolute majority unless otherwise specially sated in this Constitution.

g- A General Meeting shall not amend the constitution except with the approval of Two Thirds of its registered members entitled to vote.

9.3 The following Provisions shall have effect as regard to Special General Meetings:

b- The Council shall convene a Special General Meeting within three months of receiving a requisition for a Special General Meeting by not less than two thirds of the registered corporate members entitled to vote and which specifies the objective of the meeting and any motion to be moved thereat.

c- If the Council fails to convene a Special General Meeting within three months of receiving the requisition, the requisitionists may convene a Special General Meeting.

d-The quorum shall be the majority of the registered members entitled to vote, with the exception of those outside Sudan, and if a quorum is not constituted within an hour of the time for which the meeting had been convened, the meeting shall be adjourned to a date, time and place then to be fixed by the chairman, provided that the adjournment shall not exceed four weeks.

9.4 The following Provisions shall have effect as regards to Ordinary Meetings:

a. Ordinary Meetings shall be convened in such manner at such place and at such times and on such dates as the Council may determine.

b. No business relating to the Constitution, management or membership shall be discussed and no motion relating to the said matters shall be moved over the consent of the Chairman.

9.5 The following provisions shall have effect as regard to all classes of meetings:

a. The chair at a meeting whether or not a quorum is constituted shall be taken by the President or in his absence by the vice president or in their absence by the honorary secretary or in their absence by the honorary treasurer or in their absence by a corporate member elected by the members present.

b. No motion shall be moved unless it was specified in the notice convening the meeting or unless it is an amendment to a motion specified in such a notice.

c. The method of voting at a meeting shall be such as the chairman shall in his discretion decide, and if, where no specified majority is required, there is an equality of votes the chairman shall have a second or casting vote.

d. Any member may attend any meeting, but only corporate members may vote thereat.

10.1 There shall be a Council of the Institute and the election and membership thereof shall be such as prescribed by the Byelaws.

10.2 Subject to any provisions of the Byelaws, the Council shall regulate its own proceedings and shall prescribe its own quorum.

10.3 Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to any provisions of the Byelaws, the Council shall carry out the aims of the Institute and shall have the sole management and government of the income, property and affairs of the Institute. In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Council shall have the sole right and power on such terms as it thinks fit:

a. To establish professional status which its membership qualifications connote and to issue Membership Certificates to authenticate the same.

c. To appoint boards and committees from amongst its members or members of the Institute for dealing with specific subjects connected with the Institute.

d. To interpret Regulations and Code of Profession Conduct and to decide the disciplinary measures to be taken against deviating members (if any).

f. To terminate the appointment of any member of the Council whose attendance is considered unsatisfactory.

g. To appoint such officers and staff as it deems to be necessary or useful to the Institute and may prescribe their conditions of service and remuneration.

h. To organize meetings, symposiums, conferences and seminars on subjects of academic and professional interests, and to publish journals and periodicals on architecture and related matters and to hold exhibitions on the same.

i. To recognize such examinations and courses of study of architectural schools.

j. To formulate regulations consistent with the Byelaws and to decide on variables such as entrance fees, subscriptions, construction costs related to minimum percentage fees and the like.

10.4 The Council shall perform and pursue its functions between every two Council meetings through an executive office as provided in this Constitution and as prescribed by the Byelaws.

10.6 The Council shall continuously assess the performance of the executive office in executing its resolutions.

10.7 The Council shall present a written report on the activities, the state of property, accounts and affairs of the Institute at the end of its term of office to the meeting of the members of the Institute as prescribed by the Byelaws.

11.1 There shall be an Executive Office and the election and membership thereof shall be such as prescribed by the Byelaws.

11.2 The Executive Office shall regulate its own proceedings and shall prescribe its own quorum.

11.3 The Executive Office shall be responsible for executing and implementing all Council resolutions and for exercising all powers delegated to it by the Council.

11.4 The Executive Office shall present a written report to every Council meeting covering its activities between every two Council Meetings.

12.1 There shall be Council Committees and the number, election and membership thereof shall be such as prescribed by the Byelaws.

12.2 Each Council Committee shall regulate its own proceedings and shall determine its own quorum.

12.3 Each Council Committee shall be responsible for one of the functions to assist the Executive Office and the Council in performing their activities.

13.1 The President Powers, term of office and duties shall be as prescribed by the Byelaws.

13.2 Other honorary members of the Institute shall be elected from and by such persons and for such terms and duties as are prescribed by the Byelaws.

14.1 The Council may resolve to submit a question or series of questions to a poll of all the members of the Institute who under the Byelaw are entitled to vote in a poll. Any resolution to submit a question or a series of questions to a poll shall be treated as passed only:

a. If the number voting with the majority in favour of the decision is not less than four-fifth of the number of Members of the Council present at the meeting, or

b. If required so to do by a requisition which is signed by such number of members as represents not less than one fifth of the members of the Institute who under the Byelaw are entitled to vote in a poll.

14.2 The effectiveness of the decision upon a question or a series of questions submitted to a poll shall be as prescribed by the Byelaws.

14.3 No poll shall be taken upon any question (however expressed) relating to:

15.2 All the Institute financial resources shall be spent on the promotion of stated objects.

15.3 Registration and subscription charges, accounts, auditory and all regulations related to the Institute financial matters shall be as prescribed by the Byelaws.

16.1 The Institute may by resolution of the Council confirmed by resolution of a Special General Meeting, make such Byelaw as are deemed expedient (including Byelaw conferring power on the Council to make regulations in regard to matters specified therein), and may in the same manner add to, amend, or revoke any Byelaws previously made, provided that:

b. No Byelaw shall confer or be deemed to confer on the Council a power to make regulations which are inconsistent with this Constitution.

16.2 A resolution of a special General Meeting shall not be treated as confirmatory of the resolution of the Council making, adding, amending or revoking any Byelaws unless the numbers voting in favour of confirmation was not less than half the number of members present who were entitled to vote and voting.

17.1 The Institute may by resolution of the Council confirmed by the resolution of a Special general Meeting add to, amend or revoke any of the provisions of this Constitution.

17.2 Any resolution of the Special General Meeting shall not be treated as confirmatory of a resolution of the Council adding to amending or revoking any of the provisions of this Constitution, unless the number voting in favour of confirmation was not less than two thirds of members present who were entitled to vote and voting.

18.1 If it becomes apparent to the Council that the Institute is unable to fulfill its declared Aims, the Council shall call for a Special General Meeting to discuss the matter.

18.2 The Special General Meeting can only take the decision to dissolve the Institute by a majority of 90% of a quorum meeting, and may order the Council to appoint a liquidator within 14 days.

18.3 If a dissolution is decided, no payments shall be affected after such a Special general Meeting and the Council shall withhold all his duties.

18.4 After the liquidators fulfillment of the liability of the dissolved Institute all properties of the dissolved Institute shall become the property of the Faculty of Architecture University of Khartoum and no member shall have the right to claim any property.

19.1 There shall be a Code of Professional Conduct of the Institute, the principles of which a Member shall at all times respect and conform with:

a. A Member shall faithfully carryout his duties applying his knowledge and experience with efficiency and loyality towards his Client or Employer, and being mindful of the interests of those who may be expected to use or enjoy the product of his work.

b. A member shall, at all times, avoid any action or situation which is inconstant with his professional obligations or which is likely to raise doubts about his integrity.

c. A Member shall in every circumstance conduct himself in a manner which respects the legitimate rights and interests of others.

19.2 The undertakings required by a Member to uphold these principles and the necessary professional rules shall be as prescribed by Byelaws.

20.1 The conditions of engagement and the scale of charges of the Institute shall be as prescribed by the Byelaws.

21.1 There shall be some transitional provisions for the formulation of the first Council following approval of this Constitution as prescribed by the Byelaws.

P. O. Box: …………, Tel. …………, Fax: …………, E-mail: …………

We, the members of the Sudanese Institute of Architects (S.I.A.), in order to advance the profession of Architecture and to promote the acquirement of the knowledge of the Arts and Sciences related to it and to aid in the continuous professional development of its members and to foster comradeship by facilitating and furthering contact between architects irrespective of race, religion and politics, do ordain and establish this 20th October 2008 Amended Constitution for the Sudanese Institute of Architects (S.I.A.)to supersede and repeal any and all constitutions and amendments thereto hereto adopted