The 2014 Award of Achievement was presented to Dr. Nabil Hani Qaddumi for his lifetime contribution, of over 30 years, towards promoting engineering education, training and project management in the State of Kuwait and in the region.
Dr. Qaddumi’s journey has been that of two parallel paths - of a distinguished academic career; and of a committed professional whose work and efforts have firmly cemented the concept of multi-disciplinary project management in Kuwait.
He has served his country and society well, and he has done that as an educator, professional and philanthropist. His career exemplifies his philosophy that “Life is not about making money – it is about the impact one will leave behind.
It is about the seeds we will plant to make the world a better place. It is about giving back to society, your community and to your country.”
Dr. Qaddumi was born in Kuwait in 1954. After attending Ghazali Elementary School and Shamiya Middle School in Kuwait, he joined Rawda High School in Beirut. In 1972, he commenced studies in civil engineering at the American University of Beirut.
When the Lebanese Civil War stared in 1975, he enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin, USA, graduating with a B.Sc degree in Civil Engineering in 1976.
Later that year he went to Stanford University in California where he obtained his Master of Science degree, focusing on construction management. After a short working stint in California, he went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
in Cambridge to pursue his doctorate, which he acquired from their Construction Management Programme in 1982. The seeds of his entrepreneurial spirit took seed at MIT, which he nurtured after returning home to Kuwait as an Assistant
Professor in Kuwait University’s Civil Engineering Department. His 13 year career with Kuwait University was indeed very distinguished; but early during this period he was called for military service.
He served as a Lieutenant at the Military Academy, where he had the opportunity to continue his software design work.
In 1989, he became a visiting lecturer at Stanford University, and his stay there was extended due to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. He returned after the Liberation to re-join Kuwait University. Incidentally, a matter of considerable academic pride
for him is being invited in 2014 to join the Academy of Distinguished Alumni of the University of Texas.
In 1984, while still at Kuwait University, Dr. Qaddumi ventured into Project and Construction Management, starting a company called Projacs (which is the short for Project Analysis and Control Systems).
Needless to say, the Company has indeed become very successful – and today, with a staff of 1000 operating in 20 countries, it has been ranked by the reputed Engineering News Record (ENR) publication as the 14th largest firm operating in this field
outside the USA. It currently is managing projects exceeding $ 10 billion, primarily in the Arabian Gulf countries.
He is also the founder and chairman of SPETCO (Safwan Petroleum Technologies) and a Director of Jordan Investment and Finance Bank.
Public Service and Philanthropy
In 2000 he started the Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation in his fatherfs name, to help needy students. 984 scholarships have been awarded to students in Palestine and Lebanon; and in addition 640 have obtained undergraduate or post-graduate degrees.
Deputy Chairman of Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC)
Until last year he was Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Welfare Association, which has carried out development work worth over $ 30 million.
Family and Interests
Dr. Qaddumi is the father of 2 girls. He likes sports and still maintains a rigid activity regime; and is a staunch supporter of England's Liverpool Football Club. His personal mantra, which he diligently practices, is to live life at the highest level of professionalism, commitment, modesty, dedication and integrity.