Knowledge Is Power

Honoured as the UAE’s ‘Ambassador of Knowledge’ by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2015, Dr Rashid Alleem, now chairman of Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, is striving to fulfil his vision of a sustainable future in the emirate, powered by technology.

When Dr Rashid Alleem was handpicked by the Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, to lead Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority’s transformation journey in April 2014, he knew how important his work would be in driving the emirate’s critical infrastructure. “His Highness was unhappy with SEWA’s performance at the time of my appointment, and said that he wanted to have someone who could deliver a magic touch, and make changes within a very short time period,” the SEWA chairman says. “I now report to him directly to ensure that we can collectively come up with speedy and efficient decisions to create a better future for the nation through technology.”

Throughout his career, Dr Alleem has accumulated an understanding of the importance of calm yet decisive leadership in a series of high-ranking, government-critical roles in the emirate. He chaired Sharjah International Free Zone, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, Sharjah Seaports and Sharjah Customs, and was named the ‘Ambassador of Knowledge for the UAE’ in 2015 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Since the Authority’s creation in 1995, the emirate of Sharjah has seen a tremendous economical and industrial boom, and SEWA now maintains the electricity, water and gas supply for the entirety of Sharjah’s population.

Guaranteeing consistent access to these services for 1.5 million people across 2,600 square-kilometers of land is no small task for Dr Alleem. “We’re touching people’s lives every second – not just every minute, and we simply cannot afford to have blackouts,” he says.