ASHRAM-Oman: The Glimmer of Hope for HR Professionals

Interviewed by: Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi

Shabir Hussain
ASHRAM-Oman President

The seeds of ASHRM-Oman as a new impetus in the realm of Human Resources Management were sown in late 2010. Right from its inception it was warmly welcomed.  The HR professionals and business leaders received it positively. This organ is being sheltered and nourished under the umbrella of PDO which is its strategic sponsor. Within the short span of its existence ASHRM-Oman has bloomed and flourished to provide well structured and organized professional service. Recently “HR Fragrance” Met  Shabir Hussain, ASHRAM-Oman president and invited him to shed light on this professional HR Knowledge torch.  Our conversation proceeded on the following lines:    

How did the idea of ASHRM- Oman come to light?

Founded in 1991, the Arabian Society for Human Resource Management (ASHRM) is a society dedicated to the management and development of human resources and the exchange of information and expertise in this area. ASHRM is a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of the human resource management professional in the Arab World by providing the most essential and comprehensive set of resources available. In early 2010 a group of more than 35 HR managers in a number of major employers in Oman agreed to set up the ASHRM Chapter in Oman. Following this meeting a Oman ASHRM Board was nominated and approved and on this ASHRM-Oman was born! The Oman chapter is the 3^rd in the region with the first being in Saudi in partnership with ARAMCO and the second in Abu Dhabi in partnership with ADNOC. The chapter aims to register itself as an independent NGO, but until this is archived, the Chapter in Oman will be hosted in Oman by PDO as the main strategic sponsor. All ASHRM events conducted in Oman will be through direct invitations by PDO, using the PDO name and branding. This is an interim arrangement.

What is the mission of ASHRM –Oman?

ASHRM-Oman aims to be Oman’s leading society in promoting the development of HR Management in the Sultanate. By serving both its members as well as the profession itself, ASHRM-Oman provides HR professionals with comprehensive information and practice tools. In addition, the society provides opportunities for networking and the development of professional relationships.

Membership in ASHRM is open to all business and personnel management professionals, students pursuing a degree related to human resource management, and individuals whose interests conform to the objectives of the organization.

ASHRM organizes bi monthly dinner meetings every year. The meetings are open to both members and non-members so that Human resource professionals, executive educators, management consultants, share their thoughts and ideas with ASHRM members at these events. The Board issues an annual calendar of events and aims to address topics that concerns HR professionals in Oman in full partnership with the private and public sectors in Oman.

Can you shed light on the Board of Directors of ASHRM-OMAN and its respective committees?

ASHRM-Oman Board members were chosen from key players in the Sultanate and the majority are senior HR VPs in their own organizations, which range from Telecommunications to banks and Airports Mgt industry.

Currently the Oman Board members are:

·         Mr. Shabir Hussain (Policy & L&D Manager at PDO) – President

·         Dr. Ghalib Al Hosni (CT /Vice President , Human Resource, Omantel) – Vice President

·         Ms. Wahab Al Jadidi (Events Mgt – Oman Drydocks) - Director of Programmes and Events

·         Mr. Abdul Majeed Al Belushi (HR & Admin manager - Oman Shipping) - Media and PR Director

·         Mr. Ali M Al Abri (Head of HR, HSBC) – Treasurer

·         Mr. Majid Al Rawahi (Training Officer – OAMC) - Membership Director           

·         Mr. Mundhir Al Barwani (HR Director, PDO) – Director at Large

·         Ms. Samira Fadhlani (HR Mgr, BP) - Director at Large

 What is your assessment of last year’s achievements?

2011 was a great year. We started off the year with two dinner events on Talent management, Performance management, succession planning and change management. We then paused our events given the unfortunate unrest in the country in Feb-May and most of us were in the forefront of this unrest and working hard to contain and as such we did not pick any activities until in December when we delivered our annual events which was a mega success with over 220 participants and eight top speakers and twelve CEO attending. The event was under the auspices of Her Highness Muna bint Fahad Mahmoud Al Said, Assistant V.C. for External Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University.

What Does ASHRAM – Oman have in store for the HR professional s and business leaders in 2012?

We have a calendar of events that we will share with our members over the next few days. The society also aims to deliver a charity event this year – this is an exciting event for us and one that we have not carried out before.

What are some of the challenges ASHRAM- Oman is facing at the moment?

It is really the availability of time. We are a group of volunteers with an extremely busy work schedule and yet we work together to deliver such a challenging agenda. We need to tap into the resource s of the members to help us and contribute and this is on our plan for 2012.  

What is your advice for the HR students and budding HR professional?

Its best summarized in three words:

·         Passion for the fraternity, you must be passionate about people and the impact of your role on people development and progress.

·         Understanding the business, any HR professional is a sound business partner, one should understand the technical business he operates in to succeed and earn his place at the bigger table.

·         HR requires thick skin i.e. you will not be thanked as often and will be accused for many things –get used to it!

Tell us about Shabir the human being?  And what is the best advice you have got that has shaped your career progress in life?

I’m not an HR graduate by background, my first degree was in English Literature and at some point I doubted whether I can do HR, but one of my mentors who believed in me asked me ”do you have common sense”? And I replied “yes”. He replied, and then you can do HR! After 18 years this advice remains valid.

A Last word ?

It is always good to see you. I wish you all the best in your blog initiative and hope to connect with you time and time again.

An HR professional with a Sound Mission

Interviewed by:  Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi



Rashid Al-Nasri
HR Manager
Qalhat LNG



His Smile and humble personality gives you an assurance that you have known him for a long time. Mr. Rashid Al-Nasri is an HR professional with more than 18 years of experience. He initiated his career in  the Central Bank of Oman(CBO)where he was destined to work in different positions for 11years. Currently, he is an HR Manager with Qalhat LNG since 2006.  He is one of the founders of ASHRM chapter in Oman. Recently he was among the speakers in a conference entitled “Managing the Human Asset: The Role of HR” Organized by Fleming Gulf Conferences in 30th & 31st of January 2011. His Presentation Focused on “Growing the Employer Brand: Employer of Choice QLNG Perspective”.

“HR Fragrance” approached him to share his feedback on the conference in general and then delved more specifically in the issue Employer Branding. Our conversation resulted in the following:

1) Your opinion about this conference.

It was a good venue which made it possible for many HR Professional, Business Leaders and Trainers to gather under one roof to share their knowledge about current and persisting HR and organizational topics.

2) What are the benefits of participating in such events?

The benefits are many but to shed light on few, one can safely say that the participants can learn about current best practices from HR professionals, networking and real life examples from companies in Oman and abroad. It is an opportunity to brainstorm and see things from different angles.

3) Your presentation was on employer brand and can you highlight what this term means?

Simply stated, it is an attempt to build more satisfying & effective organizations by attracting, retaining and motivating staff through inculcating sound image about factors such as reputation, development opportunities, and work environment including facilities, work arrangements, recognition, reward and leadership. It is a straight forward formula in which the more you give to staff, the more empowering to you become to get them achieve business results.  It is taking the horse to where the water is and inducing the horse to drink willingly so to speak through such assuring and motivating initiatives.

4) Can you shed light on the QLNG experience in positioning its employer brand and what are some initiatives that were introduced?

Right from the beginning, Qalhat LNG kept the issue of employer branding at heart. Its dedicated efforts brought home many prestigious awards such as “The Asia’s Best Employer Brand Award” in Singapore awarded by the Employer Branding Institute, “Best Company in Omanisation” 2009 & 2010 by Ministry of Manpower, Oman, “Most Admired Company in Human Capital Management” award at the 2nd GCC Human Resources Excellence Awards

No doubt such wide recognitions became tangible reality as a result of initiatives such as company ceremony etc. culture & visionary leadership,  robust recruitment & retention, engaging our talents ,caring, trusting  & respecting our staff ,effective communication, development opportunity & growth, effective reward & recognition, sound performance management, safe social environment & work life balance, enjoyable  workplace, challenging business activities ,management engagement,  consistent innovation & best practices and many others initiatives  that have  inculcated  an urge for staff commitment and loyalty to their company.

5) Challenges the company faced in the process?

In every endeavor in life there will be challenges. It is the attitude that makes a difference. In our case the challenges were viewed and subsequently transformed into opportunities. In all our projects we visualized the good and effective results and made it a point to work hard in achieving them.    

6) What are your key take from this conference?

 Of course there are many but to highlight few examples I would say it was an opportunity for to be abreast with best practices and a chance for nourishing my reservoirs of network. 

7) Last word.

 I congratulate you for your HR blog initiative and thanks for the invitation. I am looking forward for a year full of achievements and greatness to all. I hope to connect with you in the days to come. keep up the creative work.