“Every journey begins with a single decision—to rise above circumstances and walk toward the life one chooses to build.”
Introduction
Dr. Mohammed Azaz Shaikh’s life is the story of a man who built his life one connection at a time, both in a literal and figurative sense. In the world of telecommunications, where every signal counts and every link is important, Dr. Azaz’s journey is a strong reminder that success doesn’t come from convenience but from hard work, clarity, and an unshakeable belief in one’s purpose. His life is like the lives of many people who start out with little and turn their problems into opportunities to become better.
Dr. Azaz was born on April 26, 1987, in Surat. From a very young age, he had to be strong and responsible. His family went through many hard times, like losing their store and not having enough money to support themselves. But these problems didn’t make him less determined; they made him more determined. The lessons he learnt in these early years, like hard work, humility, gratitude, and dedication to family, guided him through every stage of his life.
He learnt a lot from school, which changed the way he saw the world. He acquired discipline and early leadership skills at Alone High School. He then earned a diploma and later a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications. Each step deepened his understanding of technology and strengthened his desire to build a career based on technical excellence. Dr. Azaz worked during his breaks from school to help support his family. This gave him valuable hands-on experience that would help him later in the demanding telecom industry.
His career started in Saudi Arabia, where his elder brother, Mohammad Azhar, helped him make the switch from being a student to having professional responsibilities. He built a strong technical identity on the training he did in the first few months. Dr. Azaz learnt everything from how to fix software problems to how to understand hardware systems. He was always eager to learn more. He first learnt about the bigger world of fibre optics, network installation, splicing, and telecom infrastructure here. These would become his career paths.
Working in Saudi Arabia had its own problems, like very hot weather, language barriers, hard fieldwork, and the stress of meeting deadlines. But it also gave Dr. Azaz chances to show what he could do. His dedication soon paid off, and he won the Best Technician Award. His award was a big deal for him because it proved that all the hard work he had put into his job over the years was worth it. This success gave him more confidence and motivated him to keep learning, improving, and helping the networks that connect countries.
Dr. Azaz worked on many large OSP and ISP projects over the years. He led teams, oversaw installations, and made sure that thousands of users could connect without any problems. He was an expert in many areas, including fibre splicing (1F–288F), ODF/ODB systems, PON infrastructure, OTDR testing, FTB installations, and difficult restoration tasks. He always kept the same level of dedication, whether he was working in temperatures over 45°C or overseeing emergency operations at night. He always made sure to do his job correctly, safely, and professionally. He naturally became a leader as he trained several younger people who are now successful technicians and still call him for advice.
“Strength is born the day a child learns that struggle can shape character, not break it.”
Phase 1: The Early Sparks of Surat – Where Strength Was Born
Every life story has a beginning, but for Dr. Mohammed Azaz Shaikh, the beginning was more than just a place; it was a foundation that made him strong, shaped his character, and helped him get through tough times. He was born on April 26, 1987, in Surat, and he came into a world full of warmth, culture, and the values that only a close-knit Indian family can teach. Surat, which is known for its hard-working people and entrepreneurial spirit, naturally became the first place in his life where he learnt how to be strong. Life got him ready for challenges from the start that would need more than skill; they would need bravery.
Dr. Azaz learnt to be responsible early on because of the way he was raised. His family was simple and modest and worked hard. Like a lot of middle-class families in India, they relied on their daily work and the steady income from their shop to meet their needs and dreams. But his childhood wasn’t just about school and everyday life; it was also about learning how unexpected events can change the course of a family’s future.
In 1992, the family lost their home shop, which was one of the most important events of his early years. It shook their stability and changed their lives forever. In the interview, he remembers how disappointed, confused, and lost he felt watching his family’s foundation fall apart. Not only did they lose a store, but they also lost their sense of safety. A young boy could have been scared by such an event, but it made him feel an incredible sense of responsibility.
He saw his father work hard to put their lives back together even when he was very young. His father, Shahid Abdulkarim Shaikh, was a man who believed in hard work and respect. He never let his circumstances get the best of him. Instead of giving up, he got back up and worked hard to find ways to support his family and make sure that his children didn’t lose their way because of the difficulties they faced. This way of thinking taught young Azaz his first lesson: no matter how bad things are, you have to get up and start over.
“Responsibility grows silently, long before success ever arrives.”
Phase 2: Classrooms of Grit : Learning Beyond Books
There are many changes that happen during the transition from childhood to adolescence, both inside and outside of the body. For Dr. Mohammed Azaz Shaikh, his time at Alone High School was a turning point where the lessons he learnt about being strong and his growing academic goals came together. It was at this time that his personality started to develop, shaped by the hard times he was going through and the chances for growth that came with them.
The money problems at home could have easily got in the way of his education in the early years. But Azaz saw it as a challenge to face, not something to avoid. This change in attitude was necessary because it would be this same strength that would help him get through school. High school was a very important time for him, not just because of what he learnt in school, but also because of how it helped him grow as a person. Even though his family was still dealing with the loss of their store and the problems that came with it, Azaz was still determined. His father’s lessons on how to keep going started to show in how he learnt, both in and out of school.
Alone High School was a very important part of his life. Azaz learnt here that education is important, not only for getting a job but also for growing as a person and gaining power. He knew how important this stage was. He worked hard to learn, which is why his grades were excellent, even if they weren’t always the best in the class. Azaz was a student who thought that hard work over time could pay off. He knew that going to class wasn’t enough to make him successful, unlike many of his peers who relied on their natural talent. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get through tough times.
Discipline was one of the most important things Azaz learnt during this period. He couldn’t just be a carefree teenager because his family’s problems were weighing on him. He knew that every minute he spent in school was a step towards making a better future for himself and his family. Azaz put all of his energy into everything he did, whether it was staying after school to finish homework or getting ready for the yearly sports events. He showed his dedication to excellence not only in school but also in extracurricular activities, especially sports.
Azaz was very talented at sports when he was in school. He didn’t just play sports; he was outstanding at a lot of them. He was excellent at running 100 metres, playing volleyball, and racing bikes. For Azaz, these weren’t just things to do; they were chances to sharpen his competitive edge and show himself that he could rise above his situation. He was able to deal with emotional and academic problems because he was able to push through physical ones. During these times, sports weren’t just games; they were lessons in how to keep going, stay focused, and work together.
“The moment a person begins to believe in his own ability, life begins to open its real doors.”
Phase 3: Circuits of Hope: The Diploma That Changed His Life
As Dr. Mohammed Azaz Shaikh transitioned from his high school years to the next stage of his academic and professional journey, he found himself at a crucial crossroads. The loss of his family business and the difficulties of supporting his family had set him up for a life of hard work, determination, and resilience. But it was during his Diploma in Electronics and Telecommunication that things really started to change for him. This was the beginning of a new path that would take him to the heart of the quickly changing telecom industry.
Azaz’s choice to get a Diploma in Electronics and Telecommunication wasn’t just about learning technical skills; it was also a choice to open up new possibilities. He was already aware of the value of hard work and the importance of real-world experience, so he knew that getting a degree wasn’t the only thing he needed to do to build a career. He was fascinated by the world of technology because it had so much potential. He saw it as a field that could provide him both stability and the chance to make a difference that would last.
During this part of his journey, he learnt more about technology and felt more responsible for his future. But it was also a time of great personal growth. Azaz learnt more and more about his studies and realised that school was only one part of the puzzle. What really mattered was how he used what he learnt, how he combined it with what he learnt in the real world, and how he kept going even when things got tough.
The years he spent getting his diploma were, in many ways, the first real test of his intelligence and determination. The coursework was hard and covered everything from the theory of electronics to the practical parts of telecommunications systems. This was a hard but exciting time for Azaz because he was fascinated by the intricacies of circuitry, signal processing, and network communication systems. His natural curiosity and love of learning drove him to fully engage in his studies. Even though it was hard for him to balance schoolwork with other responsibilities, he did very well in his classes. This was because he was just as determined as he had been in high school.
Note of Thanks
Dr. Mohammed Azaz Shaikh expresses his heartfelt gratitude to all those who have walked with him through the different phases of his life. He knows that his journey has never been an individual effort; it has always been a shared one.
He offers his deepest thanks to his father, Shahid Abdulkarim Shaikh, whose support, guidance, and insistence on education gave direction to his life. His father’s resilience during difficult times remains one of his greatest inspirations.
He also expresses warm gratitude to his mother, Farida Shahid Shaikh, whose prayers, care, and emotional strength have been guiding pillars throughout his life.
He extends special gratitude to his wife, Mumtaz, whose patience, understanding, and constant encouragement have been a source of inner strength, especially during the years he worked away from home.
He warmly thanks his elder brother, Mohammad Azhar, for being his first guide in the professional world and standing by him during his study and early career years.
He further acknowledges the importance of his closest friends, including Mohammed Ismail and Cherag, whose companionship and support have meant more than words can express.
Above all, he thanks God for giving him the courage to face challenges, the opportunity to learn from every experience, and the grace to keep moving forward with purpose. In his eyes, this biography is not his achievement alone but a reflection of everyone who believed in him.
Thank You
Dr. Mohammed Azaz Shaikh