Over the last two weeks of July, I had the privilege of hosting two of our Saudi-based marine consultants, Abdulrahman Bogari and Abdulhadi Alshehri, at our UAE office, which coincided with welcoming our new principal marine scientist, Paul Chabre, to the region. This was more than just a knowledge-sharing mission – it was a meaningful opportunity to invest in capacity building, professional integration and regional collaboration in environmental science.
As RSK’s marine portfolio continues to grow across the Arabian Peninsula – from the Gulf’s seagrass beds to the Red Sea’s coral systems – so must our ability to deliver consistently high-quality work across borders. This exchange was designed with that goal in mind.
Building technical foundations and team alignment
The agenda was dynamic and multi-dimensional. It included face-to-face sessions with the UAE-based environmental consultancy team, when we explored the structure and workflows of environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) and environmental impact assessments (EIA) – processes that remain the backbone of development planning and regulatory compliance in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Our marine consultants also engaged directly with project managers to deepen their understanding of budget planning, project structuring and client presentation skills, which are increasingly critical as technical specialists are asked to contribute strategically across large, multidisciplinary projects.
Meetings with our HR and procurement teams offered a complete picture of RSK’s operational standards, everything from internal policy alignment to how tenders are prepared, costed and submitted.
Most importantly, we took time as a growing team to hold a dedicated workshop and align our shared goals and vision. As our regional marine practice expands, maintaining strong collaboration, mentorship and technical integrity is vital to the way we work.
Field experience, certification and ocean science collaboration
In parallel to office-based learning, we incorporated field experience and hands-on skills development. A highlight was our visit to the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, where we explored the region’s most advanced marine rescue and rehabilitation facility. This provided valuable insight into conservation actions that directly complement our own field encounters with sea turtles, dugongs and stranded marine fauna.
Our team also completed a marine survey and earned Arabian Marine Survey Observer (AMSO) certifications, bringing our certified observer count to over 10 professionals, ready to support marine monitoring and compliance across the Gulf and Red Sea.
In addition, we had the opportunity to visit Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, where we were introduced to the ambitions of its Ocean Hub, a promising academic platform for advancing marine science and innovation in the region. We are eager to continue exploring future avenues of collaboration between applied science and academia.
Investing in regional talent: A long-term commitment
This two-week exchange reinforced our belief that investing in people is not an add-on – it is a responsibility. Empowering our young and mid-career professionals from Saudi Arabia and the UAE is essential if we are to meet the region’s environmental challenges with local knowledge, expertise and forward-thinking solutions.
Through certification, mentoring and real-world exposure to both conservation and consultancy, we aim to support a new generation of marine scientists who not only deliver technical excellence but also understand the context, urgency and purpose behind the work.
I’m proud of what we accomplished in these two weeks and even more excited for what’s ahead as we continue to build a team that is collaborative, capable and informed by regional expertise.