Science was his least favourite subject while at school. “In fact, I thought it was boring,” says Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi. The candid confession is startling, particularly when you learn that the unassuming 32-year-old is the executive director of Tecom Investments’ Science Cluster, which includes DuBiotech, a research centre that is a major force behind UAE’s growing biotech industry.
In simple terms, biotechnology includes an array of scientific disciplines that study living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products. “Biotechnology can enable us to live longer, change the way we treat diseases, bring new sources of clean energy to the fore, and introduce us to super-substances that can take engineering to the next level,” Marwan explains.
From an average student at school – because “the teaching methods used didn’t fire my imagination. I couldn’t understand the logic behind grading students on the basis of how well they commit books to memory” – he went to the US to get a degree in business administration.
From there, his interest in science was kindled by chance. “It happened in 2006, when my wife, Hessa, asked me to attend an open career forum organised by Tecom Investments, which she was also attending.’’
He was working in the sales division of his family-run business at the time. But after a series of interviews, Marwan was appointed sales manager at The Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park, or DuBiotech – one of Tecom’s free zones. “I fell in love with my work and the science that I believe supports the industry.”
The park’s facilities include the BIO Headquarter Towers, the Nucleotide Lab Complex and facilities to support research and development. Marwan plunged right into the field and began reading and learning all about biotechnology and how it has the potential to improve our lives.
His passion is reflected in his enthusiasm to power ahead and make the transition from sales manager to business development director. Now, as the executive director of Tecom Investments’ Science Cluster, over the last six years, Marwan’s progress has been rapid. The organisation had 20 business partners operating on DuBiotech’s precincts when he joined, and today it has over 90, including leading names such as Pfizer, Genzyme, Merck-Serono, Amgen, Maquet and Firmenich.
In his career, Marwan draws strength from the example of his father Abdulaziz Mohammad Janahi, who began his career as a telex operator at Etisalat and now holds a position at the Dubai Petroleum Company.
“He is a man who never shuns hard work and is willing to put his all into everything that he does,’’ he says.
When he was in grade nine, Marwan heard all about the amazing experiences his older cousins had while studying in the US and resolved to pursue higher studies abroad. “I wanted to step out and live in a different culture and to learn from it. But my father wasn’t so sure. ‘What’s wrong with the American University in Dubai?’ he asked.”
Not one to give up, after he finished school Marwan took English courses, passed a Toefl exam and took general education courses in English literature, history and accounting for a year, hoping his father would change his mind. He also applied for a scholarship from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education.
It took Marwan a year to convince his father to allow him to go overseas to study. But in 2000 he enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Texas at Arlington. Marwan enjoyed his campus life very much. “There were a couple of other students from the UAE, some from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen. The majority of the students, of course, were Americans, and were very friendly.
Some of the strongest friendships that I built in my life were formed during my university days. Interacting with students from different backgrounds gave me a better insight into life.” The experience was useful when he assumed managerial positions where he had to deal with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
“After one semester, I received the news that a scholarship had been granted by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education. After my course I returned to the UAE in early 2003 hoping to capitalise on the plethora of opportunities that were available here.
“I’ve embraced life wholeheartedly. I firmly believe that we become what we think – so powerful are our thoughts that they influence our course and help us to realise our dreams. It is all about positive thinking.
“I’ve always believed in improving not just my life but the lives of those around me and of the community. And here I am helping take DuBiotech and the Energy and Environment Park, or Enpark, forward – entities that can make a huge positive impact on our lives.’’ Marwan sits down with Friday to talk.
Work
Procter & Gamble and Unilever were high on my target list of employers immediately after I graduated. I guess it was because I had read about them so much and seen their offices while in the US. However, in those days they did not have an office in Dubai so I chose to take an opportunity with Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) as a graduate trainee. The training included exposure to the technical operations as well as administration.
There were occasions when I literally found myself facing the heat standing close to the furnaces where aluminium ore was smelted. Later I was assigned to the sales and marketing department. But I soon got tired of working on reports from aluminium markets, and after 11 months I decided to try something new.
Two of my maternal uncles ran a small family business – interestingly titled Worldwide Traders – that supplied building materials, foodstuff and textiles across the GCC. They were looking for someone young to lead their foodstuff division. Because I had a background in marketing, accounting and management, I was hired in 2004. It gave me a superb insight into how a small company works. I was responsible for a sales team of 20 people.
Change came again in May 2006, when my wife Hessa asked me to accompany her to an open forum at Tecom, which was looking for young, capable people to fill various vacancies that existed across its ten business parks. After clearing six rounds of interviews, I was offered the role of sales manager at DuBiotech.
For the first six months, it was quite intimidating as I came face to face with an industry I knew virtually nothing about. I wondered if I had made the right decision. But as I started interacting with companies that wanted to establish business at DuBiotech, I began to appreciate the importance of life sciences, and its potential to touch lives. I felt compelled to learn more about the science behind the industry, and I began to assume a more active role.
I oversee the administrative and operational processes at DuBiotech and Enpark. One of our important functions is to become the bridge between the UAE’s policy makers – especially the Ministry of Health and utilities like the Dubai Municipality on the one hand, and our business partners on the other.
As I lead Tecom Investments’ Science Cluster, Enpark, also comes under my jurisdiction. My colleague Saeed Ghubash, the director of Enpark, has a more direct role in its day-to-day functions. Enpark is a Tecom-owned free zone dedicated to the energy and clean-tech sectors, which are fascinating subjects too. My goal is to use the Enpark platform and support the UAE’s aspirations to adopt green technology on a wider scale.
Play
My father did his best to ensure his children had the right mix of activities. He loves tennis and swimming, and I inherited this from him.
There wasn’t one summer when we were not learning something new. Spending time at the library or engaging in English courses at the British Council was an annual tradition I maintained up until high school.
Striking a work-life balance is important to me. Hessa and I have been blessed with three beautiful kids: Meera, Rashid and Sara, aged five, three and two. I still make it a point to go to the gym at least three times a week. And of late, I have taken up reading on human psychology. Hessa manages the household admirably. She is an accountant by profession, but she also excels at making pastries and desserts. That’s her passion, and I am encouraging her to commercialise her ideas.
During the weekends I visit family, or spend time with my wife over a quiet meal at a restaurant. Every Friday, I make it a point to have lunch with my maternal grandfather. I enjoy listening to him talk about his life as a simple seafaring trader.
His lot in life was hard, physical labour, exposure to the natural elements in circumstances that are less than ideal, occasionally enduring hunger and thirst after the vessel was wrecked by storms at sea. But he never complained. If anything, that only made him a stronger person. Contemplating his life experience prompts me to place my own challenges into perspective.
Dream
I draw much inspiration from my father. He dreamt of providing his family with a better life. He did not let his very basic education stand in his way. He took English classes in the evenings after his workday at Etisalat. By example he has taught us that every human being has the power to change his circumstances for the better and to achieve their dreams.
There is so much to do and learn. I enjoy my work and look forward to each day with renewed interest. I feel privileged that I am in a position to engage in industries that hold out so much promise to society. Through both my work with DuBiotech – and now with Enpark – I wish to keep striving to be an agent for positive change.
It is also my desire to encourage young students – including my kids someday – to seriously think about careers in biotech and clean technology. I am working with education institutions in Dubai so we can visit students and guide them. The UAE needs – actually, the world needs – young innovators. Hopefully, I will see the day when the UAE is considered among the top countries on the global biotech and clean-tech industries.
