Personal Details

 

Mohammed Bin Yousef was born in Ra’da, a small village in Yemen about 120 kilometers from the capital Sana’a, in 1949. He was the second oldest in a family of seven boys and girls. When he was eight years old, his father moved to Dubai to work in the port as a technician, and Mohammed moved there three years later.

 

His father did well in Dubai, opening a car repair workshop and then a small metalworking factory. After school every day, Mohammed went with his father to the workshop or factory and began his love affair with engineering. “It was exciting to use your hands and to create something that works. I opened gearboxes and engines to find out how they worked,” he says. He also learned some English and some Urdu from the employees.     Back to top

 

Training and Qualifications

 

After four years in Dubai, Mohammed moved to Cairo to where he stayed with an uncle in Mohandiseen. He enrolled in a private academy for three years, and then decided to go to a new technical college. He obtained a certificate in engineering in 1970, but wanted to continue his study, despite not having enough money. To improve his English, he enrolled for night classes with the British Council in Heliopolis. In 1971, he was lucky enough to win a scholarship and he became one of the first students in the American University of Cairo’s mechanical engineering program.     Back to top

 

Work Experience

After graduating with honors in 1974, he immediately got a job with a French-Egyptian company in Port Said. He stayed there for two years and then moved to Alexandria, where he worked on a major housing project for three years.

 

In 1980, he moved to Dubai to work in the new Jebel Ali port. The UAE had changed a lot over the years, but he quickly settled in with his family. In 1985, he moved to Abu Dhabi Municipality where he currently works. There, he is head of the Planning and Projects section, which reviews all major proposals and developments for the local authority as well as for private developments.

 

A Typical Day

A typical day starts at 6 am, with some exercises and a light breakfast. He usually arrives at his office by 7:30 when it is still quiet, and gets his email out of the way. Mohammed is an avid computer fan, and uses the Internet at home and at work. There are usually meetings in the mornings, and papers to sign and review until lunch. In the afternoon, one of his main duties is to mentor two young Emirati trainee engineers. He views this as one of the most important aspects of his work.     Back to top

 

Advice for Young Engineers

Mohammed advises young engineers to try all new jobs. “Don’t just go where you will be comfortable,” he says. “It is important to get experience. You never know when your experience will be useful and will open doors for you.”

 

He also emphasizes that more qualifications are essential. Although he still only has a Bachelor’s in Engineering, he has attended numerous courses—many at his own expense. “The field of engineering is changing very quickly, and the only way to stay ahead is to invest in your education.”

Conclusion

After more than 30 years experience in Egypt and the UAE, Mohammed is not finished. He has bought a villa in Dubai where he plans to retire in a few years time, but he also has started a new engineering consultancy business. “The most important thing is to keep learning and keep trying new things, “ he says.    Back to top