Ismail Nizar, born in Maradhoo Feydhoo Addu City, stands out as a remarkable individual in the corporate landscape of the Maldives. Commencing his initial educational journey in his hometown, Ismail relocated to Male’ with the aim of achieving greater academic success. In 2004, he completed his secondary education while serving as the school captain at E.P.S School. Displaying a thirst for knowledge, Ismail decided to pursue further studies and embarked on a journey to India, where he triumphantly obtained a higher education degree in Information Technology.
He embarked on his professional career in the field of Information Technology at Herethera Island Resort in Addu Atoll in 2007. Within a year, he seized a significant opportunity to become a part of the esteemed international hotel chain, Shangri-la’s Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives. Joining the pre-opening team of both properties was an invaluable privilege that he couldn’t afford to overlook.
Since then, Ismail has dedicated over 15 years of his career to Shangri-la, considering it a rewarding odyssey of technological advancement and professional development. Initially, in 2008, he started as an IT associate, occupying the lowest position in the department. However, through unwavering commitment and dedication, he propelled himself to his current role as the IT Manager for both Shangri-La properties in the Maldives: Shangri-la’s Villingili Resort and Spa Maldives, as well as Jen Maldives Malé by Shangri-la. Ismail has successfully held this position for the past 9 years.
Ismail with the GM of Shangri-la by the year 2013
As ismail propelled from the lowest to the higher rank of the company hirechy, we asked him whether he believes it is important to start from the bottom and why he thinks so. To which Ismail responded that having started his carrier from the bottom was very beneficial. He believes it to be one of the main reason of his success today. According to him It provided him with a deep comprehension of the operational challenges, the difficulties that every level faces, and it developed empathy in him for fellow team members. He further added that It helped him build a solid foundation equipping him with practical knowledge and a unique perspective which is essential for effective leadership at higher levels.
Ismail alongside some IT professional of Maldives
Ismail’s journey from the lowest to the managerial rank within the company hierarchy prompted us to inquire about his perspective on the significance of starting from the bottom. Ismail affirmed that commencing his career from the lowest rung proved incredibly advantageous. He believes it to be a fundamental factor contributing to his current success. According to Ismail, this experience bestowed upon him a profound understanding of the operational challenges and difficulties encountered at every level. Additionally, it fostered empathy towards his fellow team members. Ismail further emphasized that starting from the bottom enabled him to establish a strong foundation, equipping him with practical knowledge and a unique perspective essential for effective leadership at higher echelons.
Ismail taking part in CSR activities
During our conversation with Ismail, we delved deeper into the significant obstacles he encountered throughout his extensive years in the field. He expressed that being an IT head brings forth a range of unique challenges. One of these challenges, he emphasized, is the constant struggle to keep up with the latest trends and the rapid pace of technological advancements. Additionally, Ismail highlighted that both external and internal security threats pose a daily challenge in his role. While working with a team of over 600 staff members at Shangri-La, he found it particularly difficult to educate all computer users about these threats and familiarize them with the company’s IT policies and procedures. Ismail also emphasized it to be quite challenging to achieve a delicate equilibrium between persuading the management and advocating for innovation, while also ensuring stability in systems and processes. Moreover, Ismail shared to have faced significant difficulties in obtaining the necessary replacement parts. According to him, he had to endure months of waiting for their delivery, and it was vital to keep the systems operational during this time to ensure uninterrupted business continuity.
Ismail captured with the CEO of Dhiraagu
In conclusion, Ismail offered valuable advice for aspiring individuals entering the same career path as him, emphasizing the rapid evolution of technology and the need to prioritize staying updated with the latest tech trends. To illustrate his point, he highlighted the increasing change of everything to cloud infrastructure, underscoring the necessity of becoming highly familiar with this technology. Additionally, Ismail stressed the significance of broadening one’s knowledge and opportunities by actively participating in tech events, engaging in online forums, and networking with professionals in the field. Furthermore, Ismail emphasized that possessing excellent communication and teamwork skills are equally essential in IT roles. He concluded by expressing his concerns about the limited opportunities available to Maldivians in the IT field, particularly in managerial positions. Ismail emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities to address this issue and provide a platform for the growth and advancement of Maldivian talent in the IT industry.
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