When I finished my high school study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and got an 80% average in 1971 (which was considered an achievement at that time), I submitted my application to the College of Engineering at King Saud University. I was surprised that I was denied admission because my grades in chemistry and biology were better than those in mathematics and physics. I was advised by the admission committee at King Saud University to apply to the College of Medicine or Pharmacy. This frustrated me!

That incident changed the path of my life. I accepted the challenge and remembered what Allah Almighty said to His Prophet “He shall give you, and you will be satisfied”.

I graduated from university with 2nd honours, and I ranked 2nd in class in Chemistry and Geology. I promised myself to continue the path of challenges and excellence.

After 10 years of patience and struggle, and with the support of Saudi Arabia’s government, represented by the Ministry of Higher Education and King Faisal Foundation, I moved from the local scope to the global one.

I was able to complete my PhD degree in Civil Engineering at Leeds University in England.

Over the years, successes and challenges followed on the scientific and professional levels.

Today, I became a professor of engineering at some of the most prestigious Australian, British, and Arab universities and the first Arab to hold the highest qualifications and certificates in Value Engineering from the United States of America.

I stand also as an international expert in project management and value engineering and the President of the Society of American Value Engineers in Australia, New Zealand and four other neighbouring countries during 2020-2023.

I am a consultant to PMRT Consultants and Dexice companies, which provide consultations in engineering, value engineering, and project management.

I have also received the American and Australian fellowship in civil engineering, and I am a certified civil engineer.

Furthermore, I write in more than six Australian newspapers, and in the Saudi Okaz newspaper, about various social, economic, and scientific topics, in addition to specialized articles. I was recently honoured by Australia Today, an online newspaper published in Sydney.

I am currently the Secretary of the General Federation of Palestinian Engineers in Australia and the Vice President of the Australian Arab Cultural Forum.

I am also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Council for Innovation and Excellence in Palestine and a member of the Board of the Arab Operation and Maintenance Council representing Palestine. I have also a registered patent in the United States of America.

Turning Points in my Life

When I immigrated to Australia in 2019, I wanted to continue practicing Value Engineering which is my professional field, but in Australia and surrounding countries like Fiji and New Guinea the US system of value engineering is not used and I was one of its pioneers.

I had to choose between the Australian school with its English roots and the American school.

Then, I remembered the words of Albert Einstein:

“If you have a system and you don’t like it! … Either you live with it and adapt, or if you can – create or find another system that you can manage.”

This was the turning point in my life. I created another system and founded a new value engineering association in Australia which received an award for the best emerging organization outside the United States.

The Biggest Challenge in my Life

The “physiological formation of humans” is the biggest challenge. In general, humans can reach their utmost scientific and intellectual activity and production when they become fifty or sixty years old; on the other hand, their health starts to deteriorate by that age.

Professional Advice to my Colleagues, Fellows, and to the Youth:

-Patience, courage, and objective reading of events.

-Seeking excellence and creativity. Not everyone has to be a physician or an engineer. There are other specializations that require distinction and creativity, such as arts, painting, sculpture, music, law, economics, and political science, which Arabs rarely engage in.

– Set an example for yourself from among the early Muslim scholars such as Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni, Ibn Al-Haytham, Al-Razi and Ibn Sina. Western scholars have benefited greatly from them, and they became innovators later.

– Read my book: “Why I Love Number 5”. It has inspiration and motivation lessons as well as crucial information in different disciplines such as management, engineering, and science.

Best Inventions

There is no doubt that electricity, computers, and mobile phones are the most important discoveries of our time. Unfortunately, we find few Arab and Muslim scientists participating in scientific and industrial discoveries, even though they were among the first pioneers.

King Faisal Foundation: One of the Most Important Stages in my Career

King Faisal Foundation changed the course of my life for the better, and I thank God for this support. Thanks go also to His Royal Highness Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and to King Faisal Foundation’s employees, especially Mr. Muhammad Al-Kharashi, former Director of Scholarships, Dr. Abdullah Al-Othaimeen, the former Secretary-General of King Faisal Prize, may God have mercy on his soul and Mr. Farid Warsi, may his soul rest in peace.

I have always been eager to and persistent on attending the King Faisal Prize ceremony every year before I emigrated from Saudi Arabia to Australia.