Oman’s First Female Car Mechanic, Redefining the Road Ahead

In a workshop where the scent of engine oil lingers in the air and the rhythm of tools echoes against metal, Zalikha al Bulushi is quietly reshaping expectations, one engine, one video, and one mindset at a time.
Growing up in Oman, Zalikha’s fascination with cars didn’t begin in a classroom, but in her own backyard. Her parents’ habit of buying and selling vehicles turned her childhood into an informal showroom, where curiosity replaced hesitation. While other children played, she observed, questioned and built, often with Legos in hand, unknowingly laying the foundation for a future in mechanical engineering.
That curiosity matured into a degree in mechanical engineering, complemented by certifications in Health, Safety, and Environment, HSE. But Zalikha refused to let her knowledge remain confined to textbooks or workshop walls. Instead, she found an unexpected yet powerful outlet, social media.
For her, engineering is not just about formulas, it is about responsibility, storytelling and impact. Through her content, she translates complex mechanical concepts into accessible, engaging visuals, often infused with humor and real life examples. Whether explaining how a car system works or emphasising safety practices, she bridges the gap between technical expertise and everyday understanding.
In doing so, she is also quietly dismantling long standing perceptions.

“In Oman, there are still expectations around what women should study or where they should work”, she says. Yet Zalikha does not frame her journey as defiance alone. Instead, she sees it as expansion.
By standing confidently in a male dominated field while maintaining a creative, expressive presence online, she challenges the idea that women must choose between logic and creativity, or tradition and ambition. “You don’t have to fit into one box,” she says. “You can be all of it.”
The road, however, has not been without resistance. Questions about her capability and the suitability of her field have come from both men and women. But rather than confronting criticism directly, she lets her work speak. Consistency, she believes, is the most convincing argument.

And it is working.
The turning point came not from metrics or views, but from a message, someone had begun considering mechanical engineering because of her content. Closer to home, even her younger cousins started applying what they learned from her videos. In those moments, Zalikha realised her platform was more than just content, it was influence.
Balancing cultural identity with personal ambition remains central to her journey. She approaches it with intention, creating content that reflects both her roots and her individuality. For her, balance is not compromise, it is integration.
Today, Zalikha represents more than a profession, she represents possibility. In a society evolving at its own pace, she is part of a generation proving that change does not always arrive loudly. Sometimes, it hums steadily, like an engine coming to life, reshaping the road ahead for those who dare to follow.