Dato’ Karim holds a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He obtained an Honorary PhD in Industrial Engineering from InterAmerican University, USA in 2009 and a PhD in Entrepreneurship from Golden State University, USA in 2012. He is a member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia since 1994, a registered member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia since 1996 and a member of the Asean Federation of Engineering Organisation since 2002.
He attended various trainings which include: courses on Welding Technology & Inspection held by MJ NDT Training & Consultancy Services (1990), Machinery Monitoring Data Acquisition & Machinery Diagnostic sponsored by Bently Nevada Singapore (1990), Inspection & Maintenance of Rotating Machines held by Japan Cooperation Center Petroleum (1991), seminar on steam turbines held by ABB Turbinen Nürnberg GmbH, Germany (1992) and training on design and usage of condition monitoring products held by Bruel & Kjaer, Denmark.
Dato’ Karim’s illustrious engineering career spanning 31 years started with Asean Bintulu Fertilizer Sdn Bhd (1988) as a Mechanical Engineer. Later he was appointed as the Coordinator for the Ammonia and Rotary 5th turnaround Preparation Team (1990) and as a Rotating Equipment Area Engineer (1991). In 1993, he formed Serba Dinamik and assumed the position as the Group Chief Executive Officer.
He gained vast experience in the maintenance and installation of rotating equipment since 1993 that includes major overhaul/inspection of 37MW MHI steam turbines in Module 1, 2 & 3 of Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd and overall supervisory of plant shutdown maintenance on various rotating equipment.
His tenure as a site project manager with Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd exposed him to construction and fabrication under the supply and construction of new civil workshop, extension of main warehouse and mechanical workshop in, installation of Jet A- 1 Bunkering Line in Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, installation of flush tank at Bintulu Depot and various other projects with the company.
He has conducted numerous training sessions, internally and externally, primarily in power and oil & gas sectors. Focus areas of training include vibration, machinery alignment and balancing course, condition monitoring programme for rotating equipment, integrated machinery maintenance, preventive and predictive maintenance, inspection and maintenance of pumps, and inspection and maintenance of steam turbines. He also conducted talks on the latest technologies related to Industry 4.0, Asset Integrity Management and Innovative Blockchain.