Instructors

Dr. Wilfredo Yutuc, is an experienced Chief Marine Engineer and Technical Marine Superintendent who holds a PhD in Maritime Education.

He serves as the Director of Marine Engineering and Electro-Technical Operations at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy.

Leveraging his extensive academic and professional expertise, he leads the development and delivery of world-class training programs, equipping future maritime professionals to excel in meeting global industry standards.

Capt. Khalid Al-Qeisi is a Principal Lecturer at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, bringing more than 30 years of global maritime industry experience to ADMA. He developed his professional expertise through 15 years of service at sea, while working a range of roles at various levels on a diverse number of oceangoing and offshore vessels. Capt. Khalid Al-Qeisi  graduated from the Odessa State Marine Academy in 1992.

Capt. Khalid Al-Qeisi has worked onshore, as well as served as a Marine Pilot and subsequently a Senior Pilot at numerous ports worldwide.  Joining AD Ports Group in 2015 as a Sr. Pilot, he managed the moves of various vessels throughout the Abu Dhabi port network. He began working at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy in 2021 as a senior Lecturer for the academic programs and has taught a number of short courses as a senior Instructor.

In addition to his Master CoC (Unlimited) and Master of Science (MSc) – Engineer Navigator –  degrees, he also holds many other maritime-related credentials, including the VTSO, VTSS, TOT, Assessor, IV, and ISM.

Captain Muhammad Khurshid Khalid is a highly accomplished maritime professional with a distinguished career spanning command, industry leadership, and academia.

He brings sixteen years of sailing experience, including four years in command with reputed international shipping companies, complemented by twenty-nine years of industry experience across shipping, trading, chartering, and logistics. Parallel to his operational career, Captain Khalid has dedicated thirty-four years to teaching, specialising in shipping, trading, and logistics, shaping generations of maritime professionals.

Academically, he holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the United Kingdom, awarded with distinction and recognised with the Best Overall Student Award by the university. His professional standing is further underscored by multiple prestigious fellowships and certifications, including Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (FICS), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (FCILT), and Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI), all in the UK. He is also a Certified Logistics & Supply Chain Management Professional (CLSCMP).

In addition, Captain Khalid holds a Diploma in Learning & Development from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and is a Certified Assessor and Internal Verifier (SQA), reflecting his commitment to academic excellence, professional standards, and competency-based education.

He currently serves as Director – Logistics & Surveys at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing maritime education, logistics training, and industry-aligned professional development in the region.

Captain Varun Rawat is a Master Mariner (UK MCA Master Unlimited) and an internationally recognised maritime leader with over 35 years of global industry experience. Having spent 25 years at sea, including 8 years in command of some of the world’s largest and complex ocean-going vessels, he combines operational mastery with strategic foresight shaped by real-world command responsibility.

Currently serving as Director of Nautical Academics and Advanced Simulation at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA), Captain Varun leads one of the region’s most advanced maritime training and simulation portfolios. He oversees full-mission bridge, tug, and advanced ship-handling simulation programs while driving innovation in maritime education, consultancy, and sustainability advisory services.

Since transitioning ashore in 2009, his influence, as an educator and consultant has extended across the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, and the UAE. At ADMA, he has spearheaded the development of the UAE’s first Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Shipping and Maritime Operations, strengthened professional pathways for marine pilots and masters, and positioned the Academy as a strategic partner to ports, operators, and regulators across the Middle East and beyond.

Captain Varun also leads high-level consultancy and applied research initiatives, utilising advanced simulation for port design validation, feasibility studies, tug optimisation, marine risk assessments, pilot training, decarbonisation strategy modelling, and human-factor performance enhancement. His work bridges academia, operations, and policy, translating complex maritime challenges into practical, implementable solutions.

A respected voice in the global maritime ecosystem, he is frequently invited to speak and moderate at international forums spanning IMO-aligned discussions, sustainability summits, offshore energy platforms, and innovation roundtables. Known for integrating leadership psychology, human factors, and strategic thinking into maritime operations, he advocates for a safer, more sustainable, and inclusive future for the industry.

Through visionary partnerships, ecosystem collaboration, and a strong commitment to developing future maritime leaders, Captain Varun continues to elevate Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy as a centre of excellence while contributing to the advancement of global maritime standards.

Captain Syed Azeem is a Senior Lecturer at the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy and a UK-certified Master Mariner with extensive command experience on both ocean-going and offshore vessels.

He is an accredited STCW trainer, delivering a range of internationally recognised maritime courses.

Captain Azeem has also served as a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Supervisor at a UAE port, contributing to safe and efficient maritime operations.

His previous role with the UAE Maritime Administration has equipped him with in-depth knowledge of national maritime regulations and compliance frameworks, further enhancing his expertise in the region’s maritime sector.

Abdulmajeed Alghamdi has a Master’s degree holder in Electrical Engineering with over 10 years of proven expertise across industrial and academic sectors.

He demonstrated leadership within educational institutions, with a strong track record in assessment, training, and the oversight of internal and external quality assurance processes.

He is adept at aligning academic standards with industry expectations, embedding continuous improvement practices, and ensuring institutional compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Capt. Hanan Abuothman is a Nautical Lecturer and has been teaching at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy since 2024.

She is a holder of an Unlimited Master Certificate of Competency, with expertise gained over ten years of seagoing experience across diverse vessels.

She has been involved in seafarer’s maritime education and professional training for four years.

Capt. Zaid Abutouq is a Senior Lecturer at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, since 2023, and holds an Unlimited Master Certificate of Competency and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Accident Investigation.

He has 13 years of sailing experience across various vessel types and has eight years of maritime academic teaching and training.

Capt. Clive Hotham is an Adjunct Faculty member at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy. He is a qualified Master Mariner holding a Master Unlimited, STCW Convention Regulation II/2 Certificate of Competency and was awarded an MSc in Maritime Operations. He also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and has undertaken numerous training courses related to Maritime simulation from Wartsila and Kongsberg.

He brings more than 50 years maritime experience to the role, 17 of which were as Master on a variety of vessels in worldwide trade, and the last 20 years have been in Maritime Education and Training.

As well as extensive knowledge of maritime professional subjects that are core to the maritime world, he has specialised expertise in Marine Simulation as a tool for Education, Training, and Research. He also provides support for simulation systems in the creation of customised simulator area databases and models.

Capt. Marco Polito brings more than 15 years of international seafaring experience, having served with leading global operators including Grimaldi Group, Royal Caribbean International, and Carnival Corporation.

Rising to the rank of Chief Officer, he developed deep expertise in navigation, safety management, and emergency response, while leading and mentoring diverse, multinational crews.

In 2018, he assumed additional responsibilities as a Training Officer, where he implemented advanced shipboard operational and safety protocols, strengthening compliance and crew performance across vessels.

His career is defined by technical precision, operational leadership, and proven resilience in demanding maritime environments.

Eng. Mohd Zahid Bin Idris is a Senior Lecturer at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy with academic qualifications in mechanical and electrical engineering.

He has held instructional and technical roles at a national maritime training institution and a major international shipping company, contributing to curriculum development and the operation of marine electrical systems.

His professional background spans service aboard LNG and container vessels, where he was responsible for the maintenance and operation of shipboard electrical and electronic systems.

He has also provided specialist consultancy on shipbuilding projects, with a particular focus on electrical integration, testing, and commissioning.

Eng. Idris is deeply committed to engineering education and maintains a strong interest in mentoring the next generation of maritime professionals through both practical, hands-on training and rigorous theoretical instruction.

Eng. Mohd Sharizal holds a Master of Maritime Operations and Management from University Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Malaysia.

He also has a Certificate of Competency as Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch—Operational Level.

With over 15 years of experience as an academician, Eng. Mohd Sharizal has developed a strong foundation in marine engineering operations and maintenance.

His career reflects a deep commitment to maritime education and the advancement of future marine engineers, combining hands-on industry experience with academic excellence.

Eng. Najdan Waris Chappayil is a Lecturer in Marine Engineering and ETO at Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Naval Architecture and Ship Building and a Master of Technology in Marine Engineering.

Eng. Chappayil has worked as a Naval Architect at SEATRIUM, one of the largest shipyards in Singapore, where he contributed to the design and analysis of FLNGs, FPSOs, cable-lay vessels, and floating substations.

He is certified in internal quality assurance and vocational assessment, with extensive experience training professionals across both technical and academic environments. His academic background includes teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students, coordinating research and development activities, and contributing to syllabus design and academic auditing committees.

Eng. Chappayil has published peer-reviewed research on ship recycling and hull optimisation and has presented his work at international conferences. He is proficient in advanced marine engineering software, including GHS, AutoHydro, and Rhino.

Eng. Chappayil is a member of IMarEST, RINA, and the International Maritime Lecturers Association, reflecting his commitment to global maritime education and professional excellence.

Dr. Mohamed Alhosani is the Principal Research Scientist at the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, part of AD Ports Group, focusing on applied research in renewable energy and alternative fuels for maritime vessels, along with providing energy industry consultancy with an emphasis on practical sustainability applications.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from UAE University (2011), an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Masdar Institute (2013), and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Khalifa University – MIT Collaboration (2017).

With over 10 years of experience in industrial research and academia, his expertise includes renewable energy, decarbonisation, heat transfer enhancement, nano/micro fabrication, and power and water optimization.

Prior to AD Ports, he worked at Abu Dhabi Transmission & Despatch Company (TRANSCO) for 5 years in groundwater modelling, project management, and power and water co-optimization.

Dr. Alhosani is a member of the Mohamed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists, a recipient of the Rashid Award for Academic Excellence, and has 11 peer-reviewed publications.

Vishal is a Training Director at Abu Dhabi Knowledge Bridge specializing in portfolio management, financial valuation, risk management, treasury and cash flow management.

He has provided his expertise as an SME in designing holistic learnings journeys for corporates across Middle East and Africa. He has delivered trainings for over 5,000+ candidates through open programs and inhouse courses across India, Middle East and Africa.

He possesses an innate ability to simplify the most complex information while creating a conducive learning environment. For his excellence in teaching, Vishal won a global award in the outstanding faculty category in 2018.

Yasir Ali is a seasoned finance professional and investment trainer with over 20 years of experience in financial accounting, auditing, risk management, and investment analysis.

He is an expert in delivery through financial simulations and strategic games that makes a seemingly dry topic of accounting much more interesting to learn and understand.

Mr. Bilal Ahmad Fazal is a seasoned finance professional with 16 years of experience, holding the CFA Charter, ACCA, and CPA qualifications.

With a career spanning accounting, audit, financial analysis, and advanced financial training, he brings a robust blend of technical expertise and real-world market insight to his engagements.

With over a decade of multinational exposure across South Asia, Mauritius, and the Middle East, Bilal has worked with diverse financial markets, corporate environments, and investor mindsets, enriching his perspectives on how culture, market structure, and human behavior influence financial decisions.