Dr.Manu .J. Pillai
Technical Advisory Committee
The QGCert Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is an independent panel of subject matter experts established to provide technical guidance, industry insights, and professional oversight for the development, implementation, validation, and continual improvement of QGCert certification schemes. The Committee comprises experienced professionals from academia, industry, regulatory bodies, and conformity assessment sectors, ensuring that certification requirements remain relevant, impartial, competency-based, and aligned with current industry practices and international standards.
Universities
Dr. Manu J. Pillai – Chairperson, Scheme Committee
Dr. Manu J. Pillai is an accomplished academician, researcher, and quality assurance professional with over two decades of experience in higher education, research, curriculum development, and competency-based assessment. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering and Head of the Career Guidance and Placement Unit at TKM College of Engineering, Kerala, India.
Holding a Ph.D. from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut, Dr. Pillai has made significant contributions to the fields of cybersecurity, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and information security through numerous internationally recognized publications and industry-sponsored research projects. His extensive involvement in academic governance, accreditation, examination management, and curriculum design provides valuable expertise in the development and maintenance of internationally benchmarked personnel certification schemes.
As Chairperson of the QGCert Scheme Committee, Dr. Pillai provides strategic leadership in ensuring that certification schemes remain industry-relevant, technically robust, competency-based, and aligned with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024 and global best practices. His guidance supports the continual enhancement of professional certification programs, ensuring credibility, impartiality, and value for certification candidates, employers, and industry stakeholders.
Dr. N. Yogananth is an accomplished academician, researcher, and microbiology expert with over 14 years of experience in higher education, research, and biotechnology. He serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology at Mohamed Sathak College of Arts and Science, Chennai, and has established a distinguished record in the fields of Applied Microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology, and Food Safety-related research. Dr. Yogananth holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Bharathidasan University, an M.Phil. in Marine Biology from Annamalai University, and an M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology. His academic contributions include more than 100 research publications, multiple books and book chapters, significant citation impact, and the supervision of doctoral research scholars in microbiology and biotechnology disciplines.
Throughout his career, he has served as Ph.D. thesis evaluator, doctoral viva examiner, Board of Studies member, question paper setter, academic auditor, and editorial board member for several international scientific journals. He is also a life member of professional microbiology and biotechnology associations and has received numerous recognitions, including the Dr. Radhakrishnan Best Teacher Award and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Excellence Award.
As a Subject Matter and Academic Expert on the QGCert Advisory Committee, Dr. Yogananth provides strategic guidance on certification scheme development, competency frameworks, examination content validation, academic integrity, and alignment of certification programs with current scientific, industry, and regulatory requirements. His extensive expertise in microbiology, biotechnology, food safety, and research-based education strengthens QGCert's commitment to developing credible, industry-relevant, and internationally recognized personnel certification schemes.
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Dr. N. Yogananth, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.- Subject Matter / Academic Expert
Internatioanl Experts
Mr. Nissam Sainudeen-
Food Safety & Management Systems Expert
Mr. Nissam Sainudeen is an internationally experienced Food Safety and Management Systems professional with over 20 years of expertise in certification, auditing, training, and conformity assessment. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Madras, further strengthening his technical and scientific expertise in food safety, microbiology, and public health.
Throughout his professional career, Mr. Sainudeen has successfully conducted and led more than 500 certification, surveillance, recertification, and supplier audits across diverse sectors, including food manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, cosmetics, packaging, logistics, and service industries. His auditing experience encompasses internationally recognized standards such as ISO 22000, HACCP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22716 (Cosmetics GMP), GMP, and related management system standards.
He is a Certified Lead Auditor and has held senior technical, certification, and quality management positions with internationally recognized certification and consulting organizations in the Middle East and Asia. His expertise includes food safety management systems, quality assurance, risk management, regulatory compliance, process improvement, competency assessment, and organizational excellence.
As a Member of the QGCert Technical Advisory Committee, Mr. Sainudeen provides strategic technical guidance on certification scheme development, competency requirements, examination frameworks, assessment methodologies, food safety standards, and continual improvement initiatives. His extensive industry experience, technical competence, and international perspective contribute significantly to ensuring that QGCert certification schemes remain relevant, credible, industry-focused, and aligned with global best practices and the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024.
V.T. Mohamed Abdul Jaleel- Chairperson, Impartiality Committee
Food Safety & Management Systems Expert
V.T. Mohamed Abdul Jaleel is a Food Safety and Quality Management professional with over 20 years of experience in HACCP implementation, regulatory compliance, auditing, training, and food safety systems across the GCC region. He holds a Master’s Degree in HACCP from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and has served in leadership and advisory and research roles with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), General Manager Middle East Africa Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC), and JohnsonDiversey.
An Internationally certified auditor and trainer, Mr. Jaleel holds credentials from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA). He has played a key role in advancing food safety initiatives across the UAE, including the implementation of HACCP-based programs, food safety training frameworks, inspection and auditing systems, and the Dubai Person-in-Charge (PIC) certification program.
Mr. Jaleel has represented the industry at leading international food safety forums, including the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) conferences and the Dubai International Food Safety Conference. His expertise in food safety governance, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and workforce development makes him a valued contributor to advisory boards and industry leadership initiatives.
His profound technical knowledge, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence make him a valuable member of the QGCERT Technical Advisory Committee, where he contributes to the development of certification schemes, technical guidance, and best practices that promote global standards of quality, safety, and compliance.
Industry Experts
Mr. Shefeek Shereef is a highly accomplished QHSE professional with more than 18 years of extensive experience across the GCC region, specializing in Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental Management within the construction, industrial, oil & gas, and facilities management sectors. His expertise spans high-rise buildings, infrastructure projects, industrial operations, facility management services, and large-scale engineering projects.
Currently serving as a QHSE Advisor with WSP Middle East, Mr. Shefeek has successfully led and managed QHSE programs for prestigious organizations and projects across the UAE and the wider MENA region. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional capability in developing and implementing integrated management systems, risk management frameworks, regulatory compliance programs, and safety culture enhancement initiatives.
Mr. Shefeek holds a NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma with Credit, NEBOSH International General Certificate with Distinction, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics. He is also an IRCA Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018, with extensive expertise in ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and Integrated Management Systems (IMS).
His professional experience includes leadership roles with renowned organizations such as WSP Middle East, MacLean (a DNOW Company), Imdaad LLC (Dubai World), and CSHK Dubai Contracting LLC. He has successfully guided organizations in achieving and maintaining compliance with international standards, enhancing operational excellence, minimizing risks, and fostering sustainable business practices.
As a member of the QGCERT Technical Advisory Committee, Mr. Shefeek Shereef contributes valuable industry insights and technical expertise in occupational health and safety, environmental management, risk assessment, compliance auditing, and integrated management systems. His extensive field experience, combined with his strong technical knowledge and commitment to continual improvement, supports QGCERT in maintaining the highest standards of certification integrity, technical competence, and industry relevance.
Mr. Shefeek’s dedication to excellence, professional integrity, and continuous advancement of QHSE practices makes him a valuable asset to the QGCERT Technical Advisory Committee and the industries it serves.
Mr. Shefeek Shereef -
Technical Advisory Committee Member
Regulatory Experts
Muhammad Altaf
Technical Advisory Committee Member
Muhammad Altaf is a highly accomplished food safety and regulatory affairs professional with more than two decades of experience in public health, food control systems, regulatory compliance, conformity assessment, and management systems. He has served in key regulatory and international development roles, including positions within Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). His extensive experience spans food safety regulation, inspection systems, accreditation, certification, standards implementation, and public sector transformation initiatives.
As a member of the QGCERT Technical Advisory Committee (Regulatory Authority Section), Mr. Altaf contributes strategic guidance on regulatory requirements, food safety governance, conformity assessment frameworks, certification schemes, and industry best practices. His expertise in food control systems, HACCP, ISO standards, halal compliance, and regulatory inspection programs provides valuable insight into the development and continual improvement of QGCERT certification schemes and competency frameworks.
Mr. Altaf holds advanced qualifications in chemistry, food safety, auditing, and conformity assessment, including certifications in ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, ISO/IEC 17020, ISO/IEC 17021, ISO/IEC 17024, ISO/IEC 17065, and Halal auditing. Throughout his career, he has led numerous initiatives related to food safety management systems, regulatory modernization, digital transformation of public health services, and capacity development programs. His contributions continue to support the advancement of quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder confidence across industries and certification sectors.