The Awardee and Citation

ACI-Kuwait Chapter was pleased to present its Award of Achievement for Year 2022, and to posthumously honour Mr. Hamad Thunayan Alghanim, for his lifetime dedication and commitment to the engineering profession in Kuwait, to promoting ethical standards in professional practice, and selfless service to humanity’.

'Abu Talal', as he was respectfully known to everyone, was absolutely dedicated and committed to the engineering profession in Kuwait, and right up to the time he sadly passed away in May 2007, he promoted ethical standards in his life and work, and devoted himself to service to humanity. Understated intelligence and humility were his special attributes and his distinguished career was characterised by professionalism; integrity; ethics; scholarly pursuits, and charity, he was also a devoted family man, sportsman and poet.

Education

Abu Talal was born in Kuwait in 1938. His was a wellknown merchant and politically active family. Abu Talal’s father, Mr. Abdulatiff Thunayan Alghanim, better known as Abu Bader, presented Kuwait’s new constitution to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah.

The year was 1962. Early in his life, however Abu Talal decided that he would shy away from politics and trade, and pursue a professional career. Early schooling was at the Ahmadi School in Jibla Area. Primary schooling in Kuwait was followed by boarding school in Egypt, when as an 11 year old he joined the highly reputed and prestigious Victoria College in Alexandria. Victoria College was at that time the most British of educational institutions. It instilled in him a deep sense of discipline and gave him a solid foundation in two languages, English and Arabic.

Abu Talal’s excellent command of both languages was always admired and appreciated by everyone who knew him. ‘O’ levels at Victoria college was followed by high school in Wales in UK, where he successfully completed his A-levels. It was then time for university. The story goes that he told the career advisor at Kuwait Embassy in London that he was keen on studying architecture. But judging from a sketch he asked Abu Talal to draw, the unimpressed advisor promptly decided that Abu Talal should become a civil engineer instead. He sent him to Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

After two years of suffering the cold, however, he yearned for more pleasant weather and the choice was a move to University of Arizona in Tuscon. Three years later, in January 1965, he graduated with a B.Sc. Degree in Civil Engineering.

Career

His first job as a fresh graduate back in Kuwait was with Kuwait Municipality’s Building Department. Within a few months he decided he wanted more hands on experience, and MPW offered that opportunity. In July 1965, he joined MPW’s Design Department as a structural engineer. Promotion came within a year and he became Assistant Head of Design Department.

Mid 60’s and onwards was a time when Kuwait was riding on the cusp of optimism, pursuing new ventures and embarking on a programme of major developments. Opportunities were beckoning, but there certainly was a dearth of full-fledged Kuwaiti consultancy practices in the private sector. In search of a more challenging career, Abu Talal boldly decided to move to private practice.

In 1967, with an architect friend of his he started Gulf Engineering Office, a humble start-up with a staff of only 5 people. By 1970 the number had increased to 10 and they moved to the Thunyan Alghanim Building near Sheraton Roundabout, and with it commenced the gradual process of building his reputation. Although his early projects were manly private houses, small apartment buildings and a few turnkey design-build developments, he was more importantly becoming known as man of integrity, someone who could be trusted. It is not surprising that some of his most endearing client relationship were built in those fledging years.

Change and Growth

Early 1970s ushered in an era of fast and drastic changes, when upheavals in the world’s oil market impacted the pace of growth in all Gulf Countries. Abu Talal’s projects started becoming more complex and larger, sectors of operation widened, and he was becoming involved in many projects which were of national significance. More critical, however was the shift in Abu Talal’s focus. While he did pursue private sector work, his interest was primarily in projects for the State of Kuwait.

That remained his professional focus, one in which throughout his life he wanted himself and his office to excel. His interest in serving Kuwait was apparent in everything he did, and family and friends always remember the mantra he often repeated “if there is anything good I have to do, I want to do it in Kuwait”.

Gulf Engineering Office

In 1983, Gulf Engineering Office was renamed Gulf Consult, a change that also reflected the diversity of work and the addition of more disciplines to his practice. Also by their very nature many state level and large projects needed specialists and international participation, and to these renowned consultants, Abu Talal was always a trusted friend and reliable local support. He committed himself and his practice to giving them complete and high quality professional support.

Their dues were always paid on time, even if he had to do so from his own resources. The fact that these international consultants still maintain and repeatedly seek association and participation with his firm, is testimony to his lasting legacy of fairness.

The immediate aftermath of the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was understandably a stressful time for everyone in the country, but soon after the liberation Abu Talal back in Kuwait at Sheikh Saad’s invitation. He had returned with a team of engineers to as help with the reconstruction effort. They worked with the American Army. This wasn’t the most comfortable of times, and staying in a hotel with packaged dry food, and not having electricity, did not help!.

Post Liberation

Gulf consult restarted operations in September 1991, and with it came more concerted attention to Kuwait, with a focus on public sector projects. The nature of projects reflected this dedication to consolidating his effort and practice in Kuwait.

The Firm’s portfolio comprised large scale planning, medical, educational, institutional and national infrastructure projects. And with this diversity and quality of work, Abu Talal’s standing and reputation in Kuwait’s engineering and consulting fraternity continued to grow.

Gulf Consult

By 2004, his office had grown to over 600 staff, and his name had become synonymous with professional ethics and fairness in his dealings with clients, colleagues and staff alike. He inculcated a stressfree culture amongst his colleagues and staff, many remaining with him for decades. Everyone respected him for who he was.

May, 2007

Sadly, on 26th May 2007, after the usual daily lunchtime get together with his Board of Directors, Abu Talal unexpectedly and peacefully passed away in the afternoon.

He will always be fondly remembered as “a Gentleman and a Scholar”, a phrase he often bestowed on those whom he considered to be worthy of it. He was a very well read, had an astute mind, and up to end he worked a full day. His honesty, selfless humility and charitable work were remarkable, and his kind and humble demeanour obviously made him a very likeable person.

Personal

Outside work, Abu Talal was a man of many interests and pursuits. He greatly enjoyed poetry, which he also wrote.

He read voraciously and loved sports, playing squash till late in his life. The sea and fishing gave him considerable pleasure. He supported Gulf Consult’s cricket team and sponsored a national league in Kuwait. A daily walk was almost an addiction! A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife, Ms. Laila Alghanim, four children and five grandchildren. His eldest daughter, Najla, is now the Chairman of Gulf Consult.

In memory of their father, and his keen interest in education they have established the Hamad Thunayan Scholarship Programme, which pays university fees for deserving children of Gulf Consult’s employees.