Al-Qassim Project: Building a Biotechnology Operation from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia

Some projects are built on-site.
Others are built across borders, time zones, and responsibilities.

The Al-Qassim project represents how remote scientific leadership, project planning, and human resource coordination can successfully deliver a large-scale biotechnology initiative for Saudi Arabia—without being physically present at every step.

A New Opportunity After Returning to Pakistan

After completing the Najran laboratory establishment and returning to Pakistan, another opportunity emerged.

This time, the offer came through a Dubai-based tissue culture laboratory, which was planning to initiate a new project in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. They were looking for someone who could:

• Design the technical framework

• Prepare laboratory and equipment plans

• Coordinate manpower

• Communicate with Saudi authorities

Given my previous experience in Najran, I joined the project and began working remotely from Pakistan.

From Concept to Proposal: Saudi Ministry of Agriculture Funding

One of my key responsibilities was to develop a complete project proposal for submission to the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture.

This included:

• Technical justification of the tissue culture facility

• Crop focus and propagation strategy

• Conservation and production objectives

• Budget planning and resource allocation

• Alignment with national agricultural priorities

The proposal was structured to meet government funding requirements, ensuring clarity, feasibility, and long-term sustainability.

Technical Preparation: Lists, Layouts, and Logistics

Alongside proposal development, I was responsible for:

• Preparing complete equipment and chemical lists

• Designing lab workflow and operational structure

• Planning phased implementation of the facility

• Coordinating with suppliers and technical teams

This ensured that once approvals and funds were secured, the project could move forward without delays.

Dual Role: Scientific Lead and HR Coordinator

In addition to technical responsibilities, I was entrusted with an HR leadership role for the project.

This included:

• Workforce planning for the laboratory and farm facility

• Identifying required skill sets

• Managing recruitment strategy

I conducted interviews remotely, assessed candidates, and coordinated hiring for:

• Laborers

• Electricians

• Engineers

• Technical support staff

Recruiting from Swat, Pakistan ??

A significant part of the workforce was recruited from Swat, Pakistan, a region known for skilled and hardworking professionals.

From Pakistan, I:

• Conducted interviews online

• Verified skills and experience

• Prepared documentation and coordination

• Liaised with the company for final approvals

Once selected, the workers were successfully mobilized and sent to Saudi Arabia, joining the Al-Qassim project on-site.

Remote Work, Real Impact

Although I worked remotely, the impact was tangible:

• A funded and structured project plan

• A trained and deployed workforce

• A biotechnology operation moving toward execution

This project demonstrated that effective leadership does not always require physical presence—it requires organization, communication, and trust.

What the Al-Qassim Project Represents

The Al-Qassim initiative reflects:

• Scalable tissue culture and agricultural planning

• Cross-border collaboration

• Integration of science, administration, and human resources

• A model for future biotech projects in the region

Closing Thoughts

From Najran to Al-Qassim, and from on-site execution to remote project leadership, this journey highlights the evolving role of scientists—not just as researchers, but as project builders, planners, and leaders.

The Al-Qassim project stands as proof that:

• Vision can travel

• Teams can be built across borders

• Science can drive development when paired with execution