Darwish M.K. Al-Gobaisi 1953-2024
AL GOBAISI, DARWISH M.K. was born on the 21st of December 1953 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He received his higher technical education in Electrical Engineering from the United Kingdom where he received his B.Sc.(Engineering) and Ph.D. degrees. For over 20 years since 1976, he served the Water and Electricity Department (WED), Government of Abu Dhabi, and rose to the position of Director General, Power and Desalination (P&D) plants and directed all aspects of activity including planning, development, operation, and maintenance of P&D plants and for a brief period as WED Acting Under Secretary.(See biography)
Some of the interviews conducted by ADDC delve into his experiences during his tenure at WED, available in both English and Arabic.
He was responsible for the continued development of the P&D facilities over the years, the capacity of which reached 3000 MW and 200MGD respectively. He was actively engaged in research and development in an attempt to bridge the gap between theory and practice, particularly in the aspect of plant modeling, simulation, optimization, control, fault diagnosis, and care. He has authored/co-authored over 40 papers in the fields of power and desalination, water resources, and environment. He has chaired technical sessions in several conferences both at home and abroad and was the Technical Program Chairman of the IDA World Conference on Desalination and Water Sciences, Abu Dhabi, 18-24 November 1995.
He was Editor-in-Chief of online Encyclopedia of Desalination and Water Resources (DESWARE). As the Editor-in-Chief of an esteemed online platform dedicated to Desalination and Water Resources (DESWARE), he played a pivotal role in advancing knowledge and awareness in critical areas such as energy, water resources, and renewable technologies, and he was also leading a large team of internationally renowned experts, in a monumental project of literature development aimed at The Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS) as its Editor-in-Chief and Co-chairman of the UNESCO-EOLSS Joint Committee.
Dr. Darwish’s legacy extends far beyond his notable achievements, encompassing his humility, grace, and exemplary leadership qualities. He served as a mentor and paternal figure, imparting invaluable guidance and wisdom to numerous individuals. His unwavering commitment to education and tireless efforts towards improving the lives of others have profoundly impacted all who were fortunate enough to cross paths with him. Dr. Darwish’s influence transcends generations, serving as a timeless source of hope and inspiration for the future.
Darwish M.K Al Gobaisi passed away on March 15th, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. He is survived by his wife and Eight children. In his memory, we invite you to share your own stories of love and loss, of hope and despair, of the human experience. Let us come together to celebrate the life and work of this remarkable man.