In our special column this month, we are glad to host an interview with Mr. Jad Mouawad, Founder & CEO, Mouawad Consulting, who focuses on the value of education; in his experience, education is essential for a successful career and for positive contribution to society. Mr. Mouawad notes that we are currently witnessing great integration of environmental technologies and highlights hat only if we preserve sound marine engineering while undergoing this integration, maritime industry will succeed to its paths towards sustainability.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Jad Mouawad: I have a master’s degree in marine engineering from NTNU in Norway, so the shipping industry was a natural place for me to work. I started at the Norwegian Maritime Administration before joining DNV, where my engagement in ballast water management started very early.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
J.M.: Working as an independent consultant offers unlimited opportunities for interesting projects, from entrepreneurs to well established large corporations. It also allowed me to work with a great group of people at Mouawad Consulting and develop useful and fun tools, services and products.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
J.M.: Michael Jordan was a source of huge inspiration to me as a teenager growing up and shaping my own future. His talent, eager to succeed and win every single game, shot or challenge inspires me to that day today. I know that Michael Jordan has had great influence on his local community that helped lift up the weakest and continues to do important work against racism in the US.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?
J.M.: I have had the privilege to work with Otto Nyquist, my first mentor at DNV who had a tremendous influence on my work as a Marine Engineer. Otto was key to the development and application of MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code, and applied a systematic and “sound engineering” approach to the work he did. His overview of ships´ systems and how they interact and influence each other helped shape my understanding of ship design and operation, and my ability to develop rules, guidelines and services that were well received by the industry.
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?
J.M.: I don´t pretend to be wise enough to give advice to younger people, but one thing that I hope everyone considers, is the value of education. It can be difficult, time consuming, sometimes boring, but in my experience, it is essential for a successful career and for positive contribution to society.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
J.M.: I aim at bringing facts, objective facts, to our industry. We are in the midst of a great integration of environmental technologies to the shipping industry. Preserving sound marine engineering while undergoing this integration is essential if we are to succeed making the shipping industry an environmentally sustainable one.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
J.M.: I read what I think is a Chinese proverb that sums up a lot of who I am: It Is Better To Light A Candle Than To Curse The Darkness. Basically, rather than complaining, just do something about it.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
