About Me
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
I begin by expressing gratitude to the Almighty for the guidance, strength, and blessings bestowed upon me throughout my life.
Hi, I’m Maqsood Mohammed, originally from Hyderabad, India, and now a resident of Dubai. I’m the creator of Dubai Learns. With over 20 years of experience in IT, specializing in cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and IT infrastructure, I’ve dedicated my career to empowering individuals and organizations through knowledge sharing.
“Technology never stands still, and neither should we. Continuous learning—combined with sharing knowledge—is how I stay current and keep pace with constant technological advancement and I believe it’s never too late to learn something new.”
My Journey
A Journey of Perseverance and Determination: From Humble Beginnings to IT Leadership
I was born into a large family with six siblings—four brothers and two sisters—where financial hardships were a constant part of life. My father, the sole breadwinner, worked tirelessly, cycling 40 to 45 kilometers daily to provide for us. Despite his long hours, my mother did her part as well, stitching clothes at home to help support the family. Life was a daily struggle, but their dedication left an indelible mark on me.
My place in the family—being the fourth child—meant I was spared much of the pressure that weighed on my older siblings, particularly my eldest brother, who had the weight of expectation on his shoulders.
While my family worked hard to make ends meet, affording quality education was out of reach. I attended a government school where learning was minimal, and with Urdu as my mother tongue, studying in English was an immense challenge.I struggled throughout school, particularly in English, and even failed my 10th-grade exams. I still remember failing my English exam—a setback that felt overwhelming in a system where every subject was taught and examined in English.But I didn’t give up. I took private tuition to catch up, determined not to let this barrier stop me. After multiple attempts and setbacks, I eventually passed.
College was not an option for me due to the financial strain on my family. At just 15, I knew I had to contribute, but I wasn’t sure how. I decided to pursue a course in air conditioning and refrigeration from Sir Syed Industrial Training Institute (ITI), which marked the first step in my career. I completed the course and began practicing as an AC technician at my uncle’s shop. It was honest work, but I felt a growing desire for something more.
Then, a piece of information changed my life: Sir Syed ITI had started offering computer courses. A “Diploma in Computer Applications” caught my eye. The course included MS-DOS, early versions of Windows, and other applications. This was the beginning of my journey into the world of IT, a field that was still very new and mysterious to me at the time.
My entrance into IT felt like destiny, and it opened doors I never thought possible. Each step since then has been fueled by my passion to learn, my willingness to never give up, and the foundation laid by my parents’ hard work and sacrifice. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, from repairing air conditioners to leading IT security operations, and it’s all thanks to the values of perseverance, dedication, and resilience that were instilled in me from a young age.
What Shaped Me
Overcoming Obstacles to Pursue My Dreams
Sir Syed ITI arranged interviews for students who had completed the diploma, and only a few were selected for a prestigious computer hardware course offered by MMH Computers at Dabirpura, Hyderabad. I was fortunate to be one of the few selected.
My first trainer and mentor at MMH Computers, Mr. Imtiyaz Khan, played a pivotal role in guiding me through this new world of IT. He not only taught me the essentials of computer hardware but also reassured my father that this path would lead me to success, even without a formal degree. His words resonated: degrees bring honour and prestige, but acquiring these technical skills would open doors for me. My father deeply admired Mr. Imtiyaz’s encouragement and always believed in the value of the IT skills I was learning. He would often mention how grateful he was for Mr. Imtiaz’s support.
My father passed away in Chicago, USA in the year 2021, but he carried that belief with him until the end of his life, always reminding me of the importance of sincerity and dedication in whatever I pursued.
My Father's Wisdom
My father, an ex-serviceman with the CRPF, served for many years before taking voluntary retirement due to family obligations. He later worked as a Physical Security Supervisor at Vijaya Dairy Farm, one of the largest state-owned dairy farms. He was a man of quiet wisdom, especially when it came to understanding and guiding me.
He recognized early on that my struggle with the English language was a major barrier—not just in my studies, but for any future career in IT, where English was the primary medium.
In the year 2000, understanding the importance of overcoming this challenge, he enrolled me in Russel’s Spoken English Institute in Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad—one of the best institutes at the time, though quite expensive.
It was there that I learned English grammar and speaking skills that later became a true asset in my life. Without my father’s foresight and belief in me, pursuing a career in IT would not have been possible. His guidance laid the foundation for much of what I achieved later.