Expertise
Construction, Project Management, WaterLocation
KuwaitMy highlights
Becoming the ICE Kuwait representative
Becoming an ICE Fellow
Managing projects worth over USD$500 million
A day in my life
At the end of the business day, I set my flexible agenda for the coming day.
I arrange any meetings throughout the day, allowing me flexibility to respond to my team’s questions.
I allocate time to respond to emails.
I take time to review draft responses to contractual letters and sign off design documents, while accommodating my team’s needs.
I always allocate time for tea, coffee and lunch while visiting my teams face to face at site and virtually to see that they’re doing well and listen to any needs that I can assist with.
I ensure I’m fully aware of project progress every day as important stakeholders such as the client can call at any time.
My membership with the ICE has exposed me to a vast professional network enabling me to work with ministers, ambassadors, investors, industry leaders, CEOs, students, trainees and graduates (the list goes on).
Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?
I had a fascination while studying my GCSEs to see something in 2D come to life and how this affected the society we lived in.
I really enjoyed working in teams at school and being a key decision maker. You can say I had a natural calling to civil engineering.
Anyone else I met along the way only confirmed that I had made the right choice to become a civil engineer – this was and is my inspiration.
I’ve inspired so many of my friends to become civil engineers. I’m so pleased to say that my son is now also studying civil engineering at university.
We asked Umair
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
You’re making a genuine contribution to allow the world around you to continually adapt and live as a society – yes, you are powerful beyond comprehension!
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…
A leader, a director, a manager, an inspirer, a mentor, a problem solver, a listener, a team player.
What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego? How long did it take you?
Although I was a fan of Lego, I preferred the more technical ‘Meccano’ set (I won’t say how old I am!!).
I enjoyed making cars and bridges which took me days – sometimes more when I couldn’t find the odd nut and bolt!
But it was thoroughly enjoyable, particularly when I placed them on display (on top of the TV!) and boasting that I made that.
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
Someone, somewhere is depending on you to build a better world.
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
Civil engineers can hold high positions within organisations such as CEO, project director, senior project manager.
This means there are so many transferable skills that civil engineers have that can be applied in multiple roles….and yes they do earn top dollar!
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
The construction of the pyramids. I used to watch How Do They Do It? on the Discovery Channel to help figure it out!
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
It’s more about learning the soft social skills as opposed to applying your hard technical skills.
What motivated you to become professionally qualified?
It's a sign of global excellence to be professionally qualified and more so from the prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers, which has a 97,000-strong global membership…
How could I not strive to be a professional member of it - particularly as a Fellow?
What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?
You can trust me to build and maintain our society.
What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?
I’m part of a truly prestigious, novel and historic organisation.
How did the ICE and/or your employer support you to become professionally qualified?
I joined the ICE professional training agreement and was assigned a supervising civil engineer by my employer.
Each time I changed employers, I ensured my training agreement was transferred on to my new place of work.
I was in charge of driving my training – my employers confirmed my achievements to become professionally qualified.
The system set by the ICE works very well to collectively celebrate your achievements.
What do you value most about being an ICE member?
The opportunity to network and maintain the utmost commitment to professional development while working ethically and morally with global credibility.
How has being a member helped your career?
Starting as a humble student member of the ICE (which is free, by the way!) to becoming its country representative in Kuwait allowed me, as a humble graduate engineer, to manage projects over $1 billion (USD) in value.
My membership with the ICE has exposed me to a vast professional network enabling me to work with ministers, ambassadors, investors, industry leaders, CEOs, students, trainees and graduates (the list goes on).
Any personal causes or hobbies?
I support a number of charities, including WaterAid. I continue to mentor and train up civil engineers as well as being an official examiner for the ICE.
I enjoy walking and spending time with my family while balancing with five-a-side football appearances.
Umair's career path
It's very important to market yourself during your career. Professional training, academia and free online learning are all important parts of shaping and building on your continual professional development.
My professional learning began from the moment I graduated, and it continues as I build my own diverse work portfolio for the improvement of others. I have:
- graduated from Manchester University
- obtained a PhD
- become a Chartered Civil Engineer with the ICE
- become a Chartered Project Manager with the Chartered Management Institute
- become a Fellow of the ICE
- become a Fellow of the CMI
- become a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership
- attended college to obtain an advanced diploma in contracts
I have pursued these so I remain marketable technically, in leadership roles and commercially.
None of this was planned since I was at sixth form college or university. It blossomed for me while I interacted with the industry.
You’re in charge of your own training and career… chase it.
Major projects
- The New Umm Al Hayman Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Clean Fuels Project
- Construction of 120km long 48-inch crude oil pipeline
- Construction of Desalter Trains in existing gathering centres in southeast Kuwait
- Construction of elevated substations in southeast Kuwait
- Construction of New Water Centre in north Kuwait
- Construction of integrated security systems for oil facilities throughout Kuwait