Staying connected

Tariq Hilal al Barwani, IT whizkid, online manager, Nawras (a leading mobile service provider in Oman), and columnist

I have been associated with the world of IT for so long that I am often simply known as www.tariq.net. I first encountered the IT world at the age of five and have actively pursued this interest in various manifestations.

At the age of 11, I was nominated to represent Oman in the Arab Gulf Countries Council (AGCC) Information Technology (IT) workshop in Bahrain. I subsequently completed various courses comprising computing languages, networks and operating systems in Oman as well as (in) Canada and Australia.

I am credited with developing the first information technology portal in the region, which was subsequently voted as the Best Dotcom in 2000 and then later purchased by Oman Holdings International (OHI); in fact, I was working there as its youngest IT manager (at the age of 19) before I decided to pursue my higher studies abroad.

I am currently working as an online manager in marketing for Nawras, one of Oman's leading mobile service providers, as well as providing consultancy to companies, conducting seminars and workshops at (the) invitation of companies, schools, and colleges, and writing weekly columns on IT and Communications for leading Arabic and English newspapers since 1998.

Situations inevitably arise in which
I must deal with stereotypes, regarding my interest in IT and communications, whether it is terms such as computer geek or techie.

In the past, it did frustrate me that I was in danger of being labelled as a computer techie stereotype: I felt that I was being perceived as a machine in which people 'inputted' their problems, expecting it to 'output' the solution.

People would essentially perceive me as a troubleshooter who could tide them over in a crisis. I recognise that I am known for my technological abilities yet I do not want to be reduced to a mere toolbox that cannot think.

I resolved this problem by choosing not to involve myself in a solely computer-centric atmosphere.

I have also studied various business and management courses and am now intent on amalgamating business elements into my computer-related domain; I also assumed more managerial positions. I now prefer to describe myself as a 'techo-commercial' persona instead.

Furthermore, regarding the troubleshooting aspects, I have a team working under me, which is responsible for carrying out the main troubleshooting elements. I only step into the situation if a project is not progressing as planned and my intervention is directly needed.

I have also realised that a fundamental way to dispel stereotypes is to act contrary to the notion of the stereotype itself. I, for instance, avoid talking about computers and employing computer jargon in my conversation unless it is absolutely necessary to the situation.

I always like to stress on the importance of communicating clearly and intelligibly to an audience.

I always make sure that I communicate my ideas in a simple, comprehensible idea, whether I am writing a column, working with schoolchildren or articulating ideas for a project with leading company decision-makers, such as CEOs.

I would attribute my success and achievements ...
... to my family: my father, Hilal Masoud Al Barwani, working as an operations manager in HSBC; my mother, Safiya Salim Al Busaidy, working in the government sector; my older sister, Zainab Hilal Al Barwani, an air-traffic controller; my older brother, Salim Hilal Al Barwani, a civil engineer with the Ministry of Health; and my youngest sibling, my sister, Aida Hilal Al Barwani working in the legal department of Occidental, a leading petroleum company.

I got married to Nashat Ahmad Al Riyami (a) few months ago; she is working as a product manager at Nawras. I am grateful to God for having met someone so wonderful and caring, and supportive of every activity I undertake.

Apart from my family ...
... which certainly keeps me grounded, I also occupy myself in various activities in my leisure time: I like reading, watching films, meeting new people, and making software programs free of cost for use in schools and colleges.

I was five years old when my parents bought me a computer known as ZX Spectrum, which used an audio-like cassette to load programs and games.

I started playing the games to soon realise that I wanted to be inside the game itself: I wanted to be the one running and fighting, rather than externally manipulating the characters within the game.

My father, whom I would describe as my role model and friend, realised that I had special skills and interest in computers; he would return home and discuss projects with me to which I would offer solutions and suggestions.

He sensed the potential within me and hired a private tutor to further enhance my IT skills. He also sent me to institutes in order to learn courses. He had the foresight to see the future implications of a particular technology and its impact on my personal developments relating to IT.

For example, I was using (the) internet long (before) it was officially introduced in Oman in 1997; I was connecting to the internet through CompuServe in Dubai.

It was certainly a very expensive pursuit; however, my dad was able to see the potential it held for further challenging and interrogating my existing IT skills and knowledge.

Although my father was keen that I attend classes and courses at institutes, it would be wrong to say that I was deprived of a childhood. I would also go out and play football with my friends. I was able to both enjoy my childhood and utilise it well, thanks to my father.

My father has also striven so that my siblings and I always go the extra mile whenever it comes to education; I still value the importance of education and am currently pursuing MBA studies as well.

I am always open ...
... to new ideas and concepts. I like to see a situation as a cube, which I can perceive from different angles, deciding whether and how it can be improved and changed for (the) better. I am always up for experimenting within my work as well.

If an intriguing idea pops up in my mind, I pursue it without fail after having analysed its pros and cons.

I am also aware of achieving immediate objectives yet it is important for me to always consider the ramifications and extended effects of the things I do.

I would describe myself as - interpreting my past as an experience, functioning to the best of my abilities in the present, and constantly planning and thinking of actions that I will undertake in the future.