Microsoft MAN
Tariq Al Barwani has a habit of excelling in whatever he does in his chosen
field of IT, David Solomon writes
Meet Tariq Al Barwani, Oman’s very own Microsoft man. In a befitting honour
from the IT giant, Barwani has this year been awarded the company’s most
prestigious award – Microsoft’s Valubale Professional – and will shortly be
travelling to the United States to receive the award in person.
This is the first time that an Omani has won such a prestigious award. “I am
very proud that I have won it. But over and above that I feel proud of the
fact that I have been able to bring honour and glory to my country,” says
Barwani, currently working with Nawras.
Giving details about the award, Barwani says: “The assessment for this
particular award is made not just on the basis of computer skills and
proficiency, but also on the knowledge and skills you can successfully pass on
and share with other members of your community.”
Talking animatedly about his passion, Barwani says: “My interest in computing
began at the age of five when my parents bought me a ZX Spectrum 128, a home
computer system released by Sinclair Research Limited in the United Kingdom.”
From computers and computer games, Barwani wanted to move ahead and get into
programming. At this point, Barwani says that a lot depends on the interest,
encouragement and support that one gets from their parents.
“My father, whom I would describe as my role model and friend, realised that I
had passion, special skills and interest in computers. He would return home
from work and discuss real-time projects with me to which I would offer
solutions and suggestions. As a consequence, he 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 development relating to IT.”
For example, Barwani started to use the the Internet long before Oman
Telecommunication Company (Omantel), formerly known as General
Telecommunication Organisation (GTO), introduced the service in Oman, back in
1997. “The cost of the service was quite expensive however my dad was able to
see the potential it held for further challenging my existing IT skills and
knowledge,” he adds.
But in addition, Barwani participated in other, normal childhood activities.
“I went out and played football with my friends. I did enjoy my childhood,” he
says.
While still in college in 1998, a Media and Advertising Communications
Company, United Media Service (UMS), offered Barwani a job of a computer
programmer. “Actually UMS was keeping an eye on me since I had created my
personal website on the Internet. Suddenly, my monthly allowance grew from
RO20 (by my parents) to RO250 (then increased to RO300 monthly within the
first year itself from UMS). His main responsibility was to develop Internet
related programmes and websites so as to provide support to computer related
issues. Along with a team, Barwani developed many websites for well-known
companies from automobiles, banks, health, insurance, tourism, telecom,
entertainment, educational etc. for both private and public institutions.
After two years with UMS, Barwani realised that he had the necessary knowledge
and experience to strike out on his own and become an IT entrepreneur. “I left
UMS and solely developed the first IT Portal in Oman and named it after my
name — www.tariq.net — and is now is a personal site.” At the age of 20,
Barwani was a IT entrepreneur. The portal attracted many visitors locally and
globally, and Barwani was soon making good money from sponsors.
Barwani utilised his computing skills to write programmes and distribute to
the public via the IT Portal. Some of the programmes that drew public interest
and attentions include Virus Scanners and Cleaners (e.g. Fix 2001, I Love you
virus Bug), in addition to the popular GTO-2-Omantel Programme, approved and
released by the sole telecom operator in Oman, Oman Telecommunications Company
(Omantel) formerly known as GTO before the privatisation.
A few months later, Barwani’s IT Portal site was purchased by one of the
largest business group of companies in the country known as Oman Holdings
International (OHI); the portal was later renamed to www.OHITariq.net. “I was
also hired to work for the company as its Internet Services Manager for a four
digit salary. My responsibility was to head the development of the company’s
IT portal and Internet related activities.
During his tenure, Barwani created an Internet development department,
recruited a team of professional to work under him, trained and also
supervised the development of the IT portal and other Web related services.
Within seven months, the IT portal was voted and selected as the best in Oman.
In addition, he was also voted as Oman’s best dotcom idea for the year 2000.
The portal, www.omanaccess.com, of the company he used to work for (UMS), in
which he played a major role in the development, was voted as second best
Portal too.
Barwani subsequently quit his job to pursue an undergraduate degree from
Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada. He came out with flying colours and
several other academic achievements to his credit before moving on to
Australia for a Masters in Information Technology (IT). There too he excelled.
Barwani now works for Nawras, a leading mobile service operator in Oman. His
responsibility is to manage and coordinate the day-to-day operations related
to Nawras in the World Wide Web (Internet) and the Intranet from design,
content and technology.
At the Oman Web Awards 2006, Barwani’s website for Nawras was awarded a prize
in the Best of the Best category for the best website of the year.