In the early 1960s, Hamad Saghran, then in his mid-20s, embarked on his career as one of Ras Al Khaimah's pioneering mechanics. His role involved repairing engines that supplied water for both drinking and irrigation to local farms and communities. These engines were imported from the UK, but it was Saghran's expertise that ensured their smooth operation, making him indispensable for the daily water needs of the farms and homes.

Saghran did not hold a formal degree in mechanical engineering. His journey into mechanics began with a spark of curiosity and quick thinking. As a young boy, he observed a mechanic struggling to fix a boat's steam engine. Taking initiative, he crafted a gasket from plastic and successfully got the engine running again. This early success ignited his lifelong passion for mechanics.

As Saghran's reputation flourished, new opportunities emerged following the formation of the UAE in 1971. He joined the Ministry of Electricity and Water, managing water facilities across the eastern regions, including Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, and Fujairah. After four years, he resigned to focus entirely on his mechanic career in his workshop.

A photograph from 1974 captures Hamad Saghran alongside the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at the inauguration of the Ras Al Khaimah Water Station in Al Burairat.

Saghran's proficiency in fixing engines soon garnered attention from the community and even the emirate's ruler, who sought his assistance for engine repairs, acknowledging Saghran's significant contributions to the field. His work solidified his reputation as a dependable expert in engine services, making him a key figure in the region.

Saghran's career was marked by his hands-on approach, exemplified by a memorable encounter. Once, an engineer from a British company watched Saghran skillfully dismantle a machine and inspect each component. Later, the intrigued engineer, through a translator, asked, "In our factory, each worker specializes in one part. How did you learn to assemble the entire machine?" Saghran replied, "I learned through experience and practice." This exchange underscores Saghran's remarkable skills and his emphasis on hands-on learning.

Now, at nearly 88 years old, Saghran is surrounded by his nine children and several grandchildren. He has spent his entire life in Ras Al Khaimah and is currently cared for by his family. Despite his age, he remains dedicated to his work, maintaining a small workshop at home where he repairs various machines, including kitchen appliances and water pumps.

Saghran's son reflects that his father's work "symbolizes self-reliance, reminding us that skills and perseverance helped build the community without modern infrastructure." He believed in learning by doing and encouraged young people to understand how things work through hands-on experience.

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