Conference Chairman - Dean, School of Engineering
American University in Dubai (AUD)
Egypt
Dr. Alaa holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in US and B.S. in Civil Engineering from Alexandria University (Distinction with Honors) in Egypt. Dr. Alaa Ashmawy joined AUD in 2006 as Dean of Engineering. Prior to his appointment at AUD, he had been a tenured Associate Professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa. His expertise is in geotechnical Engineering, with interests in numerical modeling of foundations and earth structures, environmental geotechnics, and soil dynamics & earthquake Engineering. Dr. Ashmawy's experience includes Engineering consulting for a number of companies in the US, and a visiting professorship at the Universidád de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. He is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Florida (USA) and an ABET Program Evaluator.
Dean, School of Architecture Art and Design
American University in Dubai
Algerian
Dr. M. Nabyl Chenaf is a professor of Architecture and Dean of the school of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University in Dubai. Before that, he worked as the Editor of the Arabic/English edition of l”ARCA magazine of Architecture, Design and Visual Communication. He taught Interior Design, Architecture and Urban Planning since 1989 year of completion of his Ph.D. from Nottingham University - UK. He served as the president of the national committee of pedagogy of town management and urban techniques in Algeria, as well as a member/chair of organizing and scientific committees in several international conferences on Architecture and Urban Planning in the UAE. He is a peer reviewer for research funding institutions and has been regularly involved in research supervision and juries for international competitions in Architecture and Urban Design. Dr. Chenaf designed several buildings and urban settlements including new neighborhoods, rehabilitation of squatters and restoration. Finally, Dr. Chenaf delivers training workshops in town management and planning to senior decision-makers and operators in the field in several countries.
Chief Innovation Officer – Director of Design
Ministry of Infrastructure Development
United Arab Emirates
Anwaar Al Shimmari 18 years’ multi discipline experience in Architecture, urban planning, engineering, and infrastructure has put her in a short listed professional expertise in the region. She worked in Abu Dhabi Government, Dubai Holding, and MOID. She holds a BSc in Architectural Engineering from UAEU and a master degree from AUS in Urban and Transportation Planning. She is a professional mentor and technical judge. Anwaar is the Chief Innovation Officer and Director of Design. She is leading the team of artificial intelligence. She is a board member of SZHP. She has Diploma in Government Innovation and Diploma in Executive Leadership. She has been a finalist in H.H. Prime Minister Medals in 2016.
Managing Director & CEO
SELEM DMCC
Egypt
Dr. Maged Hanna, holds 20 years of Experience in leading and managing organizations, and train individuals in different topics and especially leadership. He is currently the Managing Director & CEO of SELEM DMCC, which stands for Smart Engineering Leadership & Excellence in Management. A Pioneer Firm Providing Management Consultancy Services, Training Courses, Testing, and Conference Organization. Prior to assuming this leadership opportunity, Dr. Maged served as the General Manager of the Society of Engineers – UAE where he conducted pioneering work to develop and expand Society membership, professional activities, conferences, training and professional testing. With responsibility for the strategic development of the Society, to achieve and exceed ambitious professional goals. He has more than 100 initiatives towards enhancing organizational effectiveness in the Society as well as raising performance of organization and overall results. He has contributed numerous articles. Dr. Maged has been a jury member for competitions sponsored by international organizations and has participated in associated review of journals and other publications. He is also an active and guiding member of several steering committees including serving as a committee member for Bureau VERITAS and previous Executive Council member in the international Tunnelling Association (ITA), He held various seminars, exhibitions and conferences dedicated to all engineers working in the UAE and internationally for their professional growth and development.
Managing Director / Partner
SCHUSTER PECHTOLD
United States of America
Extensive experience in researching, lecturing, and publishing a wide range of civil engineering topics encompassing construction methods and various types of engineering materials including reinforced concrete works, epoxy coated rebars, design of hot & cold asphalt mixes, design of road pavements, rutting & cracking of asphalt pavement under high temperatures & heavy axle loads, laboratory & field testing of engineering materials, destructive & non-destructive testing methods, soil investigations, stabilisation of slope embankments, behaviour of various structures in aggrassive media & hot climate regions, damage assessment & repair recommendations, quality control & quality assurance. Also, worked as a United Nations Consultant on "construction materials and testing equipment" for the development of ABU DHABI Building Research & Construction Quality Center (BR &CQC) - Project UAE / 93 / 010
Senior Advisor
Dubai Land Department
United Arab Emirates
Mahmoud Al Burai has held the position of Senior Advisor at Dubai Land Department, he is previously CEO Dubai Land Department . Mahmoud’s role involves working to make the Institute a regional centre of excellence in real estate education, training and research among other responsibilities. Prior to joining DREI, Mahmoud was an Adjunct Instructor at the School of Business Administration, American University in Dubai where he taught administration courses and conducted seminars and workshops. He is Vice President of the International Real Estate Federation, United Kingdom, a post he has held since January 2011, with the responsibility for actively engaging real estate groups to build Dubai’s global stature and improve the local economy. In the capacity of lecturer at DREI’s Hawkamah Institute of Governance, a position he has held since March 2012, Mahmoud delivers lectures on real estate governance topics and investment and economics classes. He is also a member of the United States-based Gerson Lerhman Group’s real estate council, which he has held since January 2011. From October 2008 to January 2012, he was Senior Director at the Dubai Real Estate Sector Development Department, where, among other responsibilities, he was in charge of strategic research and studies, data and statistics as well as training industry professionals, and supervising real estate market awareness and international relations efforts. During his work in the land department, Al Burai managed to score a number of achievements, including his presidency of the governance team of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, co-authored a book related to the Emirates standard valuation, and lectured at many international events including London, New York, Lisbon, Oman, and Dubai. Mahmoud contributed to the restructuring of the department and the introduction of new units to be directly connected and in contact with His Excellency the Executive Director. Prior to joining the department, he was Development Associate Manager at the Market Intelligence Unit at Dubai Holding, from 2006 until 2008. Mahmoud holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and International Finance and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the American University in Dubai. He is also a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Development, National University of Singapore. He is a member of many international organizations and institutions that are active in the real estate and administrative sectors, and has attended many training sessions that contributed to the refinement of his educational and management skills that help him to carry out his duties with tact and professionalism.
Head of Architecture
Dubai development Authority
Egypt
A qualified Architect, certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Holding (MBA) from one of the World’s 100 Top Business schools, offering 16 years’ accomplished experience in end-to-end management of Design, Construction projects across the whole development lifecycle for various typologies ranging from Offices, Residential, Healthcare and Sports Facilities. Exposure in international settings for 12 years’ associated with Dubai Holding – TECOM Group, currently in the capacity of Head of Architecture Dubai Creative Clusters Authority.
