Ahmad Otoom

Our interviewee this month is BINDT member Ahmad Otoom who works at Petrospect Inspection Services, Saudia Arabia…

Describe your current role
Currently, I’m working as Operation Manager and NDT Level III at Petrospect Inspection Services in Saudi Arabia. My roles in the company are to improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of the organisation’s mission, to ensure that the qualification of personnel is updated and maintained and to provide direction and guidance to the NDT Instructor on training and certification activities.

What education or training route did you follow?
I studied for a BSc in the science of NDT at the University of Northampton, UK. I became certificated as an NDT Level III in six methods: radiographic testing; penetrant testing; visual testing; ultrasonic testing; magnetic testing; and leak testing. I also took a number of additional courses related to quality, such as ISO Lead Auditor and Six Sigma. I then decided to move towards a higher certification and currently I am studying for an MSc in advanced industrial practice at the same university, which I am expected to complete in 2022.

What other roles and jobs have you had in the past?
I started my career in the NDT field as a radiographer 15 years ago. Before that, I was employed in a marketing role in my homeland, Jordan. My first study was a diploma in marketing. I shifted to the NDT field in Saudia Arabia and this was the most critical path in my life.

What would you consider to be your biggest NDE achievements and challenges to date?
The biggest achievements so far have been achieving my BSc in the science of NDT, gaining the NDT Level III certification, becoming an approved member of BINDT and registering with the Engineering Council at Incorporated Engineer grade. I would say that achieving membership of BINDT and the Engineering Council was a big challenge due the process of approval in order to gain the membership.

What do you think are the pressing challenges for the NDE industry?
I think the limitation of NDT innovation for some applications is one of the biggest challenges, specifically the application of furnaces and reformer tubes. The qualification of NDT personnel is one of the biggest challenges as well, as many of the NDT methods do not produce a record of the inspection results. Hence, the result will rely on the skills of the NDT personnel on the job.

What changes do you foresee for NDE in the future?
I foresee the utilisation of fully robotic systems without human intervention due to the rapid pace of technological development worldwide and conducting testing using drones for some high and inaccessible applications, such as flare tips and columns.

How would you describe NDE to someone who has not heard of it before?
I would explain it as: “similar methods for diagnosis to those used in medical sectors such as X-ray and ultrasound, but for materials and equipment and not on humans.”

What do you enjoy doing when you are not doing NDE?
Mostly, I spend my time away from NDT with my family and watching movies and football matches and reading stories.

Please get in touch if you have any recommendations for future interviewees or would like to be interviewed yourself. Contact the editor at ndtnews@bindt.org or email Maria Felice direct at mvfelice@gmail.com

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