Journey to ExcellenceDr. Khalid Mohammed Al Zahed

October 2010

Excellence Race

“In the race for Excellence there is no

finish line”

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al

Maktoum

My Vision

I was inspired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s book

“My Vision”

I learnt that for each stage of the life there is a particular vision

My vision is to unify the efforts of Marine Transport and Coastal Engineering under

one institution

My Education Journey

Higher Diploma, Civil Engineering, 2000

BSc, Engineering Management, 2002

MSc, Coastal Engineering, 2003

PhD, Coastal Engineering & Marine

Environment, 2008

.............................................................

My Professional Journey

40 weeks training with

Several contracting companies

Consultancy firms

Lands Department

My Professional Journey

Dubai Municipality

Marine Project Engineer, 2000 to 2003

Head of Marine Works Unit, 2003 to 2004

Head of Coastal Management Section, 2004

to 2006

My Professional Journey

Roads & Transport Authority RTA

Director of Maritime Projects Department,

2006 to May 2010

Director of Marine Transport Department,

June 2010 till now

Outstanding Achievements

Main role in establishing and organizing

Marine Agency, RTA early 2006

Launch of Water Bus and iconic Water

Taxi for the first time in the region

Dubai Ferry will be launched soon

Outstanding Achievements

Initiatives resulted in savings of some

AED 250 m.

Distinguished Technical/Engineering

Employee, 2004

Distinguished Government Employee,

2009

My Experience with Leadership

Balance of strategic direction and

operational requirements

Motivation of human resources,

individuals and teams

Competency and trustworthiness

The importance of being a Role Model

Public service priority to personal interest

Change not for the sake of change

My Experience with Knowledge

Education whilst working: Higher Diploma, BSc,

MSc and PhD in 13 years.

Training: technical and leadership training

Visits to countries advanced in marine field to

share best practices

Participation in regional and international

conferences with technical papers

Exchange knowledge with colleagues and

friends

My Experience with communication

Utilization of hi-tech in communications

Efficient meeting management

Reports are not replacement of site visits, the

pulse of work

Teamwork: efficient participation in teams and

committees

Involvement with all stakeholders: employees,

customers, strategic partners and society

My Experience with official activities

Project Manager of Metro opening ceremony

Participation in organizing conferences and

forums

Presenter of several government bodies’ events

My Experience with non-official

activities

Part time with Dubai TV as Producer and

Announcer, 1994 to 2007

Awareness sessions on marine transport

activities for summer students trainees

My Experience with sport events

International Events

SportAccord Conference, Dubai 2010

World Swimming Championship, Dubai 2010

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Dubai 2009

FIFA U – 20 World Cup, UAE 2003

Local Events

Official Commentator, Formula 1 Festival, Abu

Dhabi, 2007

My Experience with Voluntary

Work International

Visit to Kosovo,1999 during war

Local Social Events

Big Breakfast Event to support thalathemia holders

of Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership

Development

The International Day of The Elderly

Dubai Summer Surprises

Creativity and Suggestions

Brainstorming workshops

Participation in suggestion schemes

Personal involvement in a specialty project

of Dubai coastal survey using Lidar Survey

technology

Continuous improvement of business

processes and customer service

Challenges

Balance between learning, work and

family requirements

Meeting the deadline 09.09.09

Water Bus system

Difficult circumstances in Kosovo

Lack of local references in the area of

coastal engineering

Personal Achievements

Established the first coastal monitoring

program

Introduced floating pontoons for abra

stations

Completion of 7 heritage kiosks in 3

months

Completion of Water Bus in 6 months

Leading and Participating in more than 25

committees and teams in RTA

Conclusions

Choose appropriate education specialty

Choose appropriate professional career

Participate in voluntary activities

Document your achievements

Share best practices

Thank you