This content was published: March 16, 2010. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC Q & A: Cascade alum is a brigadier general in Qatar
Photos and story by James Hill
Masoud Al Mansoori, 57, graduated from Portland Community College with an associate’s degree in Fire Science from the Cascade Campus. He is the general manager and member of Board of Director of National Academy for Professional Training in Doha, Qatar, overseeing the daily operations and in charge of the major decisions of the company. He retired from the Qatar Emiri Navy with the rank of brigadier general.
Masoud Al Mansoori, left, graduated from Portland Community College with an associate’s degree in Fire Science. He retired from the Qatar Emiri Navy with the rank of brigadier general.
Portland Community College: What is the most interesting thing about your academy?
Masoud Al Mansoori: Our academy recently opened a new training center in Sailiyyah, outside of Doha, that has a six-meter deep pool with a wave machine and wind fans capable of generating four-foot waves and 60-knot winds. This pool adds realism to our search and rescue and sea survival courses.
PCC: What got you into the military there?
Al Mansoori: Directives from the government.
PCC: How did you find PCC back in the 1970s?
Al Mansoori: I was sent by the government through a scholarship and stayed in Oregon mainly for that reason. As an alumni of PCC I was able experience first hand the programs and curriculum being offered by the school and must say they are very good.
PCC: What did you do after graduating from PCC?
Al Mansoori: I graduated from PCC in mid 1980. After graduating at PCC I got my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Warner Pacific College, which is also in Oregon. I then joined the Civil Defense and worked at Qatar Petroleum as a fire and safety officer.
PCC: When did you establish your academy?
Al Mansoori: After two years I joined the Qatar Armed Forces as a fire and safety officer and damage control, which lasted more than 26 years. Then I established the National Academy for Professional Training and after one year became the general manager. Our academy provides oil and gas safety trainings for big companies in Qatar. To date we have expanded our horizons and now offering a wide variety of courses to the large sectors in Qatar, including the military and police.
PCC: Do you get back to Oregon much anymore?
Al Mansoori: Not any more.
PCC: How have your experiences inspire you?
Al Mansoori: During my stay at PCC I was fortunate to be able to educate myself and in return impart that knowledge to my fellow countrymen.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »