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.
Mohammed S. Al Surf, holder of PhD. in Sustainable and Green Construction. Director of Carbon Department at Tilad Environment. Founder of the Sustainability Professionals in Saudi Arabia Network (SPSA) reaching more than 9000 members. First Saudi to become a USGBC® Faculty, an ISSP® Sustainability Associate and a TRUE® Advisor. LEED® Accredited Professional in BD+C, ENV SP credential and a Green Classroom Professional. Author of the books titled “Sustainable Housing in Saudi Arabia: Opportunities & Challenges” and “10 Steps to Become a Sustainability Professional”.
Member of several local and international professional entities such as the U.S. Green Building Council, the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE), the Pacific Rim Real-Estate Society (PRRES), Asian Real-Estate Society (AsRES) and Project Management Institute (PMI). Dedicated to applying a systematic approach to Green Construction and Sustainable methods applied on projects in Saudi Arabia to induce quality of life while preserving the depleting supply of natural resources.
Dr Harpreet Seth, Associate Professor, is the Head of Architecture and Director of Studies in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) at Heriot-Watt University Dubai (HWUD). She played an instrumental role in establishing the Architecture programme at HWUD, a RIBA Part 1 candidate course. Her current role is characterized by a strong commitment to a distinctive pedagogy which addresses current and future challenges through design and critical thinking in architectural education internationally and within the MENA region.
Prior to joining HWUD, Harpreet has held several senior academic positions in reputed institutions across the UAE. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) She steered her own practice in Architecture, Landscape, and Interior Design in Dubai for over a decade before entering the world of academia to fulfill her ambition to meaningfully contribute to teaching and research.
Her research interests continue to be the microcosm of built structures within the macro urban setting that is focused on people and creating more ‘liveable’ environments including:
- New iconism in young cities: A perspective from nascent cities like Dubai
- Cognitive spaces in educational landscape: Understanding potential of un-built spaces
- Innovative learning and teaching approaches in architecture and design
- Creativity as a culture in project-based learning in design
- Sustainability and symbolism in the urban matrix
- Future of the new healthy smart cities
- Soul of Architecture and the unmeasurable in Architecture
Harpreet has won many accolades in recognition for her innovative studio project-based teaching and learning approaches such as the ‘EGIS Graduate Award’ and ‘Learning and Teaching Oscars’ from Heriot-Watt University. She is a senior member of the Council of Architecture (CoA) in India and a founder member of the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), UAE.
Harpreet completed her PhD at Wolverhampton University, UK with a specialization in Urban Design and Architecture, and her Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), India. She is an avid sketcher and a founder member of Urban Sketchers Dubai (USD), the Dubai chapter of the International Urban Sketchers. In her free time, she also practices and teaches yoga as a certified instructor of Himalayan Kriya Yoga.
Dr Fawaz is an expert in construction and data transformation, with an architecture background and more than 14 years of professional experience. He holds a PhD in Architecture using BIM for Sustainable Design from University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. He involved in BIM strategic planning, standardization work process, mapping exchange requirements and defining the role of BIM actors. He also provides support and management to deliver parametric digital collaborative design solutions in a number of mega projects (6 billion US $( such as public and private sectors.
He also has extensive knowledge and experience work with all BIM level of integration from 3D up to 7D. Dr. Fawaz is BIM certified from a BSI and Autodesk and IFC BIM management and OpenBIM. He also participated in a number of conference and symposium over the world as key speaker’s as the following example:
- EC3 European Conference on Computing in Construction, Greece, 2019
- CitA Construction IT l Dublin, 2017 (awarded the best BIM digital design.
BIM based project Sustainability Analysis
When collaborative design revolves around Building Information Models (BIMs), much of data required for project sustainability analysis is already defined by other project stakeholders. Furthermore, and during operation, mechanical equipment such as HVAC and lighting fixtures plays a major role in functional performance, resultant thermal comfort and energy consumption. Monitoring building performance and thermal comfort requires additional representative data about indoor environmental conditions and energy consumption.
The core objective of this innovation presents the data and information needed for integration of BIM with thermal comfort modelling for commercial office spaces. Thermal comfort analysis requires detailed specification of the analysis processes and the data and information that needs to be exchanged to support these processes. To date this work has identified 22 objects with over 800 properties relevant for thermal comfort analysis, for example: Actor, Air Terminal, Space Building Material, Opening Element and Zone etc.
These exchange requirements are essential for realizing data exchange between BIM and BEPS tools for advanced energy performance analysis. These data must first be categorised in a standardised manner. The outputs of this work will contribute to a Model View Definition (MVD) for thermal comfort using the IFC standard.
With over 25 years of senior executive experience in Business Operations and HR, Cheryl Thornton has held leadership roles across global and regional organisations spanning the Property, Banking, Retail, Education and Aviation sectors.
Cheryl is a results-driven C-suite leader with a strong track record in designing and executing people strategies that drive business performance and support growth. She has led large-scale HR and Operations functions with workforces of up to 70,000 employees, building high-performing teams and delivering transformative initiatives aligned to organisational goals.
Highly regarded as a trusted advisor to Boards and senior leadership, Cheryl currently is a Senior Business Advisor and serves as an Advisory Board Member for CIPD Middle East, a Global Advisory Board Member for the Learning & Performance Institute (UK), and Adjunct Faculty & SME at PwC’s Academy Middle East.
Cheryl holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Education from the University of New England, Australia, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML), the Learning & Performance Institute (LPI), and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
An active contributor to both international and local professional communities, Cheryl serves as an Assessor with the Dubai Quality Group, mentors with the Cherie Blair Foundation and the Al Ghurair Foundation for Education and is a Judge for the Emirates Women’s Awards and the CIPD People Awards.
A seasoned leadership figure both regionally and globally, Cheryl is known for her integrity, discretion and credibility in all aspects of her work.
Reservoir engineer gained her bachelor’s degree from TAMUQ and a Master degree on Women, Society, and Development from College of Humanities & Social Sciences- HBKU. Founder and Vice Chairperson of Qatar Women Engineers Association (QWEA). Advisory Board member for College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Advisory Board for the International Journal of Contemporary Management & Information Technology. Inventor of Carbo-EcoGen System which made the 3rd place on The Omani Innovation Festival 2024. Named by Entrepreneurs Herald as one of the Top 30 Inspiring Women to Look for in 2023. Co-author technical paper ‘Petroleum Engineering and Geoscience Integration’ on International Petroleum Technology Conference, 2014. Presented and published Master thesis paper ‘Qatari Women’s Leadership in Oil and Gas Industry ’ on The World Conference for Women Studies, 2020. Presented technical topics globally in University of Boumerdes, Algeria, and University Pertamina, Indonesia. Active community engagement person where she presents to school, arrange for students Engineering camps, and science advocate. Received Engineer of the Year Award-TAMUQ, 2020. Awarded twice for Al-Hasba (second level) and once for Al-Badla (third level) awards. Awarded volunteer from His Highness Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad for volunteering on 2022 FIFA World Cup. Awarded from Her Highness Shikha Hind Bint Hamad for being active volunteer.
Roger Wahl, Chief Technology Officer at Innovo Group, excels in transforming companies through people, automation, data, security, and advanced technologies like AI. With 30 years of global tech leadership, he has established high-performing digital and technology teams across diverse regions and sectors. Roger’s extensive experience includes key roles in the US Air Force, GE, Genpact, and global E&C firms. Passionate about technology’s role in productivity, safety, and sustainability, he actively engages in venture capital and startups, pioneering technologies in the real estate lifecycle. He holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
Prof. Dr. Gisela Löhlein is a renowned academic executive administrator and a professor in architecture and design. Having held senior positions in academia in the USA, China, and the Middle East, where she taught, researched, and supervised students and faculty in the fields of architecture, engineering, and sustainability. Professor Gisela is an active board member of ICCC, where she advocates for sustainability, coordinates scholarship awards, and organizes student design competitions. She is driven by the mission of creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the built environment and the society. Professor Gisela has an extensive international portfolio where she has steered policy alignment, internal quality assurance initiatives, recruitment, retention, and business development serving as advisor to senior leaders, organisations, governments, and universities around the world on capacity building and internalisation bringing innovative and meaningful change to the future of higher education architecture and design.
Throughout my career, I have developed a passion for helping people understand the importance of cultural heritage and architectural conservation. I have also developed a strong understanding of project management, change management, strategy, leadership, and more. My mission in life and career is to help people find their purpose and unlock their full potential. I am a maximizer, and my prime motivation is to see the inner greatness in people and help them maximize all the purpose and significance in life that is already within them.
In Briefing:
- Experienced in cultural heritage and architectural conservation, having worked with the Ministry of Antiquities in Egypt
- Developed a passion for helping people understand the importance of cultural heritage and architectural conservation.
- Proven track record of project management, change management, strategy, leadership, and more.
- My mission in life and career is to help people find their purpose and unlock their full potential.
- Maximizer, motivated to see the inner greatness in people and help them maximize all the purpose and significance in life that is already within them.
- With more than 30 years of experience in architectural preservation and world heritage site management with 250+ Projects
- Collaborated with a team of 1200 in the development of Qatar National Museum Project
- Managed a 25-member cross-functional (product, engineering, sales, support) team and coordinated with six business partners towards the successful launch of an international conference.
- Candidate of several global awards in leadership and professional development.
Lina Saeed is a distinguished lecturer in quantity surveying and a chartered construction manager with over 9 years of experience in academia and industry. Holding a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in commercial management and quantity surveying, she brings a wealth of expertise to her field.
With years of industry experience in major industrial and oil and gas projects, Lina Saeed has a deep insight of the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities that the construction sector currently faces. Her experience is complemented by her current role as the Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Hub in Bahrain, where she contributes to enhancing the industry standards and practices within the region by collaborating with major regional policy influencers.
Her academic career aims at equipping and inspiring the next generation of construction professionals to influence positive change in areas of sustainability, construction law and financial management. She is fully committed to enhancing innovation and promoting excellence in the industry.
