SYNOPSIS

As the Maritime Industry market shrinks, due to the downturn of oil prices and impacts of Global economy, funds too are getting scarce and opportunities limited. It is in such dire strait situation that maritime industry payers have to reorganize themselves and strengthen their capability and improve capacity. Having such intent is indeed a good move towards sustainability but without a clear knowledge of where and what areas that need to be improved and skill sets to be acquired would not make any company succeed in overcoming the current challenges.

Therefore, in meeting the challenges specific targeted skill sets are necessary and there are many. The speaker with his vast exposure and experience in the industry shall offer some insights into the various skill sets that are necessary for maritime industrial related companies to identify and focus towards sustaining the current situation.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

First Admiral Dato’ Ir Hj Ahmad Murad bin Hj Omar hails from PONTIAN a small town in JOHOR in the southern part of peninsular Malaysia. He received his early education in Johor Baru and later joined the Royal Military College (Boys Wing) at Sungei Besi, Kuala Lumpur. He joined the Royal Malaysian Navy as an Engineering Cadet on the December 1974. He then pursued a degree course in Mechanical Engineering at University Technology Malaysia (UTM) and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelors Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Admiral Murad then pursued a part time off campus Masters of Science degree course in Engineering Business Management (EBM) with Warwick University UK and graduated in 2003.

Admiral Murad after joining the RMN in 1974 was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1984 and to Commander 1996.  After graduating from the Malaysian Armed Forces Defense College, he was promoted to Captain in 2001 and a year later as First Admiral.  He had held many positions including on board ships as well as bases including as Director General of Engineering at Navy Headquarters Ministry of Defense Kuala Lumpur and as Fleet Systems Commander in Navy Base Lumut prior to early retirement option in 2007.  After retirement, he was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer and acting CEO of Motor Teknologi & Industri Sdn Bhd in Feb 2008, an engineering company dealing in remanufacturing and precision machining of machine components/diesel engines and automotive engine and vehicle refurbishment based in Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Leaving MTI in Apr 2009, he became Chairman of a Six Sigma Consultancy Company and moved on to be the Executive Chairman of OMAHAMS Corporation Sdn Bhd, a trading company dealing with Jotun Marine paints and an engineering consultancy for marine project management and human capital development running courses endorsed by the Board of Engineers Malaysia and HRDF.

Currently Dato’ Ir Murad is involved with KD PERANTAU Hydrographic Ship restoration project and Littoral Combat Ship project with Boustead Naval Shipyard. Scope of work for both projects involves with Full Package Outfitting and Catering and Project Management.