Dr. P. Mohamad Ali
Description
Founder ; Galfar Engineering & Contracting SAOG
& National University of Science & Technology
An accomplished and highly respected businessman based in Oman, Dr. P. Mohamad Ali is a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and educationist whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the business landscape of Oman and India. As the founder of Galfar Engineering & Contracting SAOG, Oman’s largest private sector company, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure of the region. His commitment extends beyond business, as he has been a driving force in advancing education, uplifting communities, and fostering economic growth. A patron of the Indian expatriate community in the Gulf region, Dr. Ali’s influence spans across multiple industries, from construction, drilling rigs, manufacturing and hospitality to healthcare and vocational education.
Dr. Mohamad Ali, started his professional career in ‘Border Roads Organisation’(BRO) from 1967 to 1970. He moved to Dubai in 1970. He laid the foundation of the flagship company ‘Galfar Engineering & Contracting SAOG’ in Oman in 1972. From modest operations as a small construction company, the organization progressively grew to become the Sultanate of Oman’s largest private sector company and employer.
The Group’s presence is in the Sultanate of Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, India and the Maldives and it directly employs over 65,000 persons of multiple nationalities. The major infrastructure projects in the region like the Expressways, biggest stadiums in Qatar and various large projects in civil & industrial construction, oil & gas, roads & bridges, manufacturing, water & wastewater management were undertaken by the Group.
Dr. P. Mohamad Ali’s transformative contributions to Oman’s education sector are truly legendary. A visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, he played a pioneering role in establishing premier educational institutions in the region. Amidst the turmoil of the Gulf War, he founded the esteemed Indian School Al-Ghubra in Muscat, providing a beacon of hope and learning for expatriate students. His passion for higher education led to the establishment of three distinguished professional institutions—Caledonian College of Engineering, widely regarded as one of the finest engineering colleges in the region, Oman Medical College, and College of Pharmacy. Recognizing the need for a consolidated, world-class university, Dr. Ali spearheaded the formation of the National University of Science & Technology SAOC by merging these three esteemed institutions. Today, the student population across the institutions he has nurtured exceeds 5,000, a testament to his enduring impact on education and youth empowerment.
Beyond education, Dr. Ali has made monumental strides in the corporate world. The MFAR Group, which he founded in 1996 in Bangalore, India, stands as a formidable conglomerate with a commanding presence in construction, real estate, hospitality, and activated carbon manufacturing. The group’s extensive portfolio spans across IT parks, state-of-the-art shopping malls, commercial and institutional complexes, cutting-edge industrial infrastructure, and towering residential developments. Renowned for delivering excellence, MFAR also undertakes civil contracting, turnkey solutions, and project management services, setting benchmarks in the industry.
The hospitality division of MFAR, established in 1996, marked a new era in luxury and convention tourism with the development of South India’s first International Convention Centre in Kochi and MICE tourism. This milestone was followed by the launch of Le Méridien, Kochi, an iconic five-star property that redefined Kerala’s hospitality landscape. Expanding its footprint in the global hospitality sector, the group later developed three prestigious hotels—The Westin Hotel in Velachery, Chennai, the Hormuz Grand – A Radisson Collection Hotel in Muscat, and the Kuda Villingili Resort in the Maldives, each epitomizing elegance and world-class service.
Dr. Mohamad Ali’s visionary prowess extends into the aviation sector, where he is celebrated as one of the founding promoters and directors of Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL)—India’s first international airport developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. His commitment to infrastructure development also saw him play a pivotal role in establishing Infrastructure Kerala Limited (INKEL), both groundbreaking initiatives backed by the Government of Kerala.
His leadership and expertise have been sought at the highest echelons of governance. He was an esteemed member of the Governing Body of the Council for Promotion of Overseas Employment, a crucial entity established by the Government of India to promote Indian expatriates. In Oman, he has been instrumental in shaping key industry organizations, serving as Founder Chairman of the Oman Society of Contractors (OSC) and the Oman Petroleum Alliance (OPAL), and as Vice-Chairman of the Omanization Joint Committee, each of which plays a critical role in the country’s economic and workforce development.
Dr. Ali’s exceptional contributions have earned him some of the most prestigious accolades. In recognition of his remarkable impact on Oman’s infrastructure and economic progress, he was honored with the ‘Oman Civil Order’—the highest civilian distinction in the Sultanate of Oman—in 2002. His unparalleled commitment to India’s global diaspora was acknowledged when he became the first Indian recipient of the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman’—India’s highest award for non-resident Indians—in 2004. His relentless pursuit of excellence in vocational and higher education earned him an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Caledonian University of Glasgow, further solidifying his legacy as a luminary in education.
His exceptional contributions have been widely recognized through numerous accolades, including the ‘Businessman Award’ (1998) by The Business Deepika, the ‘V. Gangadharan Memorial Kerala Pravasi Award,’ the ‘IOD Distinguished Fellowship Award’ (2007), the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ (2010) from The Times Group, and the ‘P.V. Sami Memorial Industrial & Socio-Cultural Award’ (2011). His remarkable contributions to the aviation and hospitality sectors in India were further acknowledged with his induction into the ‘IATO Hall of Fame’ (2013). A thought leader in entrepreneurship, he has also shared his insights and experiences in his book, ‘Practical Guide for Aspiring Entrepreneurs’, which serves as an invaluable resource for business visionaries.
Despite his vast global achievements, Dr. Ali has always remained deeply connected to his roots. In 2005, he founded the Talikulam Vikas Trust, a noble initiative dedicated to uplifting his native village community through a transformative mission—‘Education, Employment, Housing, and Healthcare for All’. Remarkably, this ambitious goal was fully realized by 2010, changing countless lives. His philanthropic efforts extend to the P.M. Foundation estd 1988, which for over three decades has been fostering educational excellence among marginalized communities, offering critical financial support, mentorship, and career guidance to meritorious students.
In recent years, Dr. Ali’s philanthropy has expanded into healthcare, where the P.M. Foundation, in collaboration with prominent NGOs and hospitals, has been actively providing financial aid for vital medical treatments and interventions. His dedication to social advancement is further exemplified in his role as Chairman Emeritus of the Social Advancement Foundation of India (SAFI), an institution dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through access to quality education.
Dr. Mohamad Ali is married to Rasiya Mohamed Ali and they have four children. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Fathimathul Zuhra, is a Director, Mfar India. The second daughter, Mrs. Khadeeja Zeenath is a Director of Mfar Hotels and the third daughter, Mrs. Amina Mohamed Ali, is a Director of Zaiba Mfar Jewellers, the UAE. The couple’s son, Mohiuddin Mohamad Ali is the Vice-Chairman of Galfar Engineering & Contracting SAOG, Oman, the flagship company of the group.
Dr. Mohamad Ali’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to progress, philanthropy, and excellence. His contributions to infrastructure, education, and social empowerment continue to impact thousands of lives across the Gulf and India. Honored with numerous accolades, he remains an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders. Through his visionary leadership and commitment to societal betterment, Dr. Ali has not only built institutions but has also nurtured generations, leaving a lasting legacy of development and opportunity.
