Gulf News, Dubai
(1980-1990)
Soon after his post-graduation, Issac started his career as a lecturer in a leading parallel college, Shankar’s College in Trivandrum when he pursued studies for the Indian Administration Services in the capital city. In 1979, he joined the Kerala Government Secretariat, but within two years, went on a long leave to pursue higher studies in the US. Although he got admission in Ohio University, his application for a student visa got rejected in India.
As the Gulf countries offered better prospects to obtain a US visa, he decided to try his luck from the UAE. That attempt also failed when the US authorities got more stringent with visa issuance in the aftermath of the Iran hostage crisis. In the meantime, he landed a job in Gulf News in Dubai in 1980 as sub editor trainee, paving the way for an illustrious career.
By 1986, he became the Chief Sub-Editor who was responsible for the edition at the fastest growing daily. He started his writing career in Gulf News, dealing a varied range of topics encompassing politics, business, and sports as well as social and cultural events.
Dr. Issac was instrumental in bringing out the first business magazine from the UAE, The Gulf Asian in 1982 in his role as a Consulting Editor. After leaving Gulf News, he also worked as the Assistant Editor for UAE Digest, a monthly business magazine published from Sharjah, during 1989-1990.
Emirates News, Dubai
(1990-1992)
He had been with Gulf News for almost 10 years before joining Emirates News, a daily newspaper published from Abu Dhabi, as its Dubai Bureau Chief in April 1991.
Khaleej Times, Dubai
(1992- Continuing)
He left Emirates News in June 1992 to join Khaleej Times, Dubai, where he had served in various capacities in positions ranging from Business Correspondent, Chief Reporter, Deputy Business Editor and Associate Editor to Editorial Director. He has been writing news, analytical reports and in-depth articles, mostly on business-related topics, and his responsibilities include assigning reporters to cover special and routine events.
During his tenure with Khaleej Times, Issac became a regular news contributor for India’s largest regional language daily, Malayala Manorama. Writing for Manorama for seven years until the paper opened its own news bureau in Dubai in 2004 brought his byline, Issac Pattaniparambil, instant popularity and recognition across Kerala.
Dr. Issac is also the consultant editor of Gulf’s first and the only Who’s Who published from Bahrain. He was also head of the jury, which selected outstanding NRIs in the Gulf for Achievers published from the UAE.