Syed Ali Yawar, an Indian national and a mechanical engineer by training, has been in Qatar since 2002. He has 22 years of experience of working in the mechanical-electrical-plumbing field and has worked in India and all over the GCC. 
Since 2015, he has been working as operations manager at Arabian MEP.  Optimistic and self-motivated, Yawar loves working with different nationalities in Qatar. 
Community caught up with him about his career among other matters. Following are the excerpts: 
 
Can you tell us about your family background and early career?
I was born and raised in a hinterland in Andhra Pradesh, India. Owing to his deteriorating health, my father left job when I was 13. He and my elder brother, who took up his job, both motivated me to move on with my education and career. In middle school, I used to walk four hours daily just to go and come back from school. After high school, I was admitted to the Deccan College of Engineering and Technology in Hyderabad. I completed my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from there with good marks. Thereafter, I started working at a cement industry as an engineer trainee. With low salary and high living expenses, I soon started searching for new opportunities both in India and abroad and eventually ended up in the GCC. 
 
Can you recap your professional time in Qatar?
First time, I came to Qatar in 2002 to work as project engineer on an HVAC project. From 2003 to 2004, I worked as a senior project engineer at Arabian Air-conditioning Contracting. I was promoted to assistant project manager in 2005-2006, to project manager in 2006-2008, and to senior project manager at Arabian MEP Contracting. I am now working as operations manager at Arabian MEP. 


What is the best thing about Qatar in regard to working culture?
Facilitating factors like latest technologies, quality and management of work, development-oriented governance and political non-interference in Qatar are things that are hard to find in South Asia.
 
How do you think India and other South Asian countries can learn from Qatar from its impressive economic growth and human development?
Not only infrastructural development, there is a lot of scope in other fields. Latest technologies and engineering being used here are some of the major prospects for inspiration. Opportunity to work with other nationals has broader implications. I would like to emphasise on engineering – an ever evolving field that offers solutions to a myriad number of challenges across multiple domains, which other countries can focus on.  
How has the project manager contributed to a project’s success? 
A project manager has the responsibility of growing up a project from a toddler to a healthy adult. I believe any project’s success solely depends upon doing the basics of a project management in the right way, plus adapting to any changes. Devising an adaptable/executable plan considering the scope of work and the targets, creating an open communication forum within the team to ensure information is elevated to and at all levels, ensuring the project is directed in line with the contracts document between the contractor and client, extracting the contractual variations available, and adhering to the projects schedule to adapt consistently to the challenges that arise ultimately contribute to a successful project.
 
What can the project manager do to boost operational performance?
The construction industry is overwhelmed by delay and often has suffered cost and time overrun. Consequently, the problems associated with management, in particular, should be understood, and efforts need to be directed toward developing solutions and more efficient methods of operation.
 
How are non-resident Indians helping their government and communities in India? 
One day we have to move our country; so whatever experience we gain in Qatar, we will use in our own country when we go back. We are getting lots of experience and knowledge in the work and if we can use in our on homeland country government can get lot of benefit from us.


Do you have any message to your fellow countrymen in Qatar?
The knowledge and skill of a person does not die during their lifetime. Once we go back, we will be able to utilise for the benefit of our country. The government can also encourage us by having minimal political interference.