Dr. Raida Al-Alawi’s career exemplifies a unique blend of academic excellence, industry experience, and dedication to engineering program quality. She holds a Ph.D. in Computational Intelligence, an MSc in Computer Engineering, and a BSc in Electrical Engineering.
Dr. Al-Alawi’s academic achievements are complemented by her leadership roles. Currently, she serves as the President of the Bahrain Society of Engineers, shattering a glass ceiling as the first woman to lead the organization in its 50+ year history. Prior to this, she held the prestigious position of Dean of Student Affairs at Ahlia University. Her extensive academic career includes serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Bahrain (UOB), where she also chaired the Department of Computer Engineering. Notably, Dr. Al-Alawi is the first Bahraini woman to earn a Ph.D. in Engineering.
Beyond academia, Dr. Al-Alawi brings valuable industry experience. She previously served as the Director of Technology Development at BFG International, demonstrating her ability to translate academic knowledge into practical applications.
Dr. Al-Alawi’s commitment extends to ensuring high engineering standards. She is actively involved in program accreditation and review, holding positions like Program Evaluator for ABET and Academic Accreditor for the IET. She also serves as a Program Reviewer for various accreditation bodies, including Bahrain Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) and Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA). Her membership in the IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities further underscores her dedication to quality assurance.
Dr. Al-Alawi actively contributes to knowledge advancement through consultancy projects in Information Technology and by refereeing prestigious international journals in Electronics and Computer Engineering. Her research and teaching interests encompass a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines, including machine learning, embedded systems, and computational intelligence.
Dr. Al-Alawi’s impressive trajectory through academia, industry, and program accreditation positions her as a leading figure in engineering, paving the way for future generations.