Dr Shahzad Nasim

Group Executive Chairman
Meinhardt (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Master of Engineering, Class of 1976

“I am humbled and greatly honoured to receive the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. Coming to Singapore to study at the University of Singapore (now NUS) was the best decision of my life. Studying at the University of Singapore was highly enriching and a great learning experience. The environment for research and the individual attention from the professors were comparable to the best schools anywhere. Whatever little I have achieved, I owe it to Singapore and my alma mater – NUS.”

Shaping Global Landmarks as Professional Engineer and Entrepreneur

Dr Shahzad Nasim graduated with a Master of Civil Engineering degree from the University of Singapore in 1976. He chose the University of Singapore over Cornell University to study engineering at, and thus started his story in Singapore.

In 1978, Dr Nasim joined Bylander Meinhardt (subsequently renamed Meinhardt Singapore Pte Ltd) and rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director of Meinhardt. This was certainly no small feat, especially for someone who was a foreigner at that time. Dr Nasim's career as a Professional Structural Engineer spans more than three decades. In addition to business and financial management, he is responsible for the overall coordination of multi-disciplinary professional teams, leading conceptual designs and overseeing the detailed design and construction of major and complex projects undertaken by Meinhardt.

Dr Nasim has built a regional reputation for providing highly innovative, buildable and cost-effective solutions for tall buildings and complex infrastructure projects. Projects led by him include some of the landmark commercial offices, residential, retail and entertainment complexes, such as the Marina Bay Financial Centre, The Sail @ Marina Bay, One Raffles Quay and the 63-storey One Raffles Place in Singapore, as well as The Dubai Mall and the 82-storey Ocean Heights in Dubai.

In 2010, Dr Nasim undertook a buyout of the entire Meinhardt Group from its Australian owners, and moved the global headquarters from Melbourne to Singapore. Today, Dr Nasim provides leadership as Executive Chairman of the Meinhardt International Group, with responsibility for the Group’s strategic direction, global business expansion, key clients and major projects, including the Group’s programme for mergers and acquisitions with a view towards possible IPO listing. He spearheaded the strategic expansion of Meinhardt in China, South East Asia and the Middle East. Presently, the Meinhardt Group has 42 offices worldwide, employs 4,000 staff and is the largest global engineering company owned and headquartered in Singapore.

Serving the Community

The infrastructure, educational, healthcare and building projects undertaken by Dr Nasim has impacted the lives of many people. Through Meinhardt’s 42 global offices, Dr Nasim has contributed to flying Singapore flag internationally.

Dr Nasim is actively involved in and has given of his time and services to professional and statutory boards related to the construction industry. He was a member of the Professional Engineers Board, Singapore, from 2006 to 2008, a Board of Architects member from 2006 to 2008, Board member of the Building and Construction Authority from 2001 to 2005 and a member of the Economic Strategies Committee (Land Use Sub-Committee), Ministry of National Development, from 2009 to 2010.

Dr Nasim has also served on the advisory committee of educational institutions through his membership of the Management Board of the NUS Institute of South Asian Studies, the Advisory Committee for the NTU School of Civil & Environmental Engineering from 2000 to 2004 and NTU’s School of Civil & Structural Engineering’s Academic Audit Visiting Committee in 1999.

Honouring an Exceptional Alumnus

In recognition of his entrepreneurship achievements through Meinhardt’s rapid expansion internationally, Dr Nasim has garnered a string of prestigious awards. These include the inaugural Distinguished Professional Engineer Award by the Professional Engineering Board in 2014, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Engineering) Award in 2012, the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz Medal of Excellence by the Government of Pakistan in 2006 and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Rotary-ASME Singapore in 2004.

Dr Shahzad Nasim is certainly an inspiration to all NUS Engineering alumni. The Faculty is proud to have an alumnus of his stature and is pleased to confer the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award on him.