Bassam Ahmad named sixth Alumnus of the Year
Published Mar 15, 2022
Bassam Ahmad, a Class of 2011 mechanical engineering graduate of Qatar Foundation partner university Texas A&M University at Qatar, has been named the branch campus’s sixth Alumnus of the Year.
Ahmad was recognized during a private virtual ceremony during which the partner university unveiled a display honoring its outstanding alumni, which include Abeer Abuhelaiqa ’11, Mariam Al-Meer ’12, Dr. Nayef Alyafei ’09, Yousef Al-Jaber ’07 and Muna Al-Mohannadi ’10.
After graduating from Texas A&M at Qatar, Ahmad joined Petromech as director of operations where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations as well as devising business development and process strategies.
Ahmad is well known in Qatar’s business community. At Petromech, he implemented several projects and initiatives that resulted in significant cost-savings and improved efficiency, which in turn led to an increase in market share and expansion of the company. During his 10 years with the company, Petromech opened and developed several new facilities.
According to nominator Jocin James Abraham ’11 who has known Ahmad since their first days in university, “Bassam’s fine business acumen and corporate finesse definitely contributed to the development of his company’s reputation as a reliable partner to several national companies, including Qatar Petroleum and Qatargas.”
He continued, “Bassam exemplifies all the virtues desired of a true Aggie Engineer and has constantly demonstrated the core values of Texas A&M, many of which he developed while being a student at the university. He is a shining example of the caliber of graduates that Texas A&M University at Qatar produces and supports.”
Since graduation, Ahmad has remained involved with the university, serving on the Alumni Council and the Mechanical Engineering Program’s Advisory Board. He has also helped recruit students to enroll in the university’s engineering programs, participated in career fairs and network events for current and former students, and given various seminars and talks throughout the university.
Through his contributions to both Texas A&M at Qatar and to the State of Qatar, Ahmad has shown himself to be a role model Aggie engineering leader, said Texas A&M at Qatar dean Dr. César Octavio Malavé.
“Bassam Ahmad embodies the six core values of every Aggie,” Malavé said. “During his career, he has demonstrated excellence and integrity in everything he does; leadership, loyalty and respect to his team, his company and to his alma mater; and selfless service by striving to make the world a better place. We are proud of what he has accomplished and what we expect he will achieve next.”