Archives: Speakers

“Award-winning Chartered Project Manager (MCIOB) and accomplished business leader with a strong track record of delivering complex, high-value projects across the UK and Middle East. Kamel leads GHD’s Project Management business in the UAE, overseeing both pre-contract and post-contract delivery across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and built environment projects.

Known for his delivery excellence and operational discipline, Kamel brings deep expertise in project lifecycle management—ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. His leadership combines strategic insight with hands-on experience in project controls, risk management, and commercial governance, enabling him to drive performance across teams and projects alike.

As a key member of GHD’s UAE Leadership Team, Kamel is responsible for the direction and performance of a 60-person project management team. He plays a pivotal role in aligning delivery with business objectives, championing continuous improvement, and ensuring operational excellence across all engagements.

Kamel also contributes to regional business development by leading major pursuits and embedding innovative delivery models that address client needs and market dynamics. He is widely respected for his ability to build trusted client relationships, navigate complexity, and create lasting value.

In parallel, Kamel is a strong advocate for talent development and industry leadership. He leads project management training across the GCC and serves as Chair of the Abu Dhabi Hub for the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), mentoring professionals on their journey to chartership and promoting best practices across the built environment sector.”

Dr. Mustafa Batikha holds a PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of Edinburgh, UK. He currently serves as an Editor for the Materials journal. From 1994 to 2015, Dr. Batikha was a full-time academic at Damascus University. In 2015, he joined Heriot-Watt University in Dubai as a full-time faculty member in Structural Engineering within the Civil Engineering programme. He also served as the Associate Director of Research at the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society from 2016 to 2024.

In addition, Dr. Batikha was the Founding Editor of the Centre of Excellence in Smart and Sustainable Construction (CES²C) Research Bulletin between 2019 and 2023. He is an active consultant engineer with the Syrian Engineers Syndicate in Damascus and holds chartered membership with the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). He is also a member of the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC), the national training team at the Syrian Engineers Syndicate, and the Teachers’ Syndicate of Damascus.

Dr. Batikha’s research is focused on innovative areas within structural engineering, both independently and through the supervision of research students. He has authored over 40 publications covering topics such as structural engineering, tall buildings, sustainable concrete, and 3D concrete printing. Additionally, he is a peer reviewer for several high-impact journals. His contributions have earned him recognition in research competitions, international workshops, prestigious global events, CPD programs of professional bodies, academic conferences, and industry news platforms.

For more details, please look at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mustafa-batikha-phd-ceng-mistructe-aa4b8041/?originalSubdomain=ae

Dr. Georges Kachaamy is the Director of the Center for Research, Innovation, and Design (CRID) at the School of Architecture, Art, and Design, the American University in Dubai. He has served as the chairperson of the Department of Architecture under which the program has received the NAAB Accreditation. He is a professor of architecture, a registered architect, a certified VR Sketch trainer, a GRAVITY SKETCH Certified Trainer, a VictoryXR Certified VR Educator, an associate member of the American Institute of Architects, an affiliated member of the UAE Society of Engineers, and a former member of the Order of Engineers & Architects in Beirut. He was the recipient of the Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship and received his doctorate from the University of Tokyo in Japan.

As an academician, Dr. Kachaamy’s research interest relates to future and virtual environments, space planning, well-being designs, phenomenological theory in architecture, and evidence-based spatial experiments. He is mostly known for his vision towards futurist architecture that deals with Gravity Defiant Architecture (GDA) a.k.a. Airborne Architecture. He has more than 14+ years of academic experience where he received the American University in Dubai President’s award for teaching excellence, the President’s Award for Institutional Effectiveness, the Provost’s Award for Creativity in Design and the Visual Arts. In addition, he served on the board of the AIA Middle East Chapter as the Director of Continuing Education.

As a practicing architect, he has over 15 years of experience between Dubai, Tokyo, and Beirut. He worked on different national and international urban and architectural designs. His work spans from universal spaces for meditation to the urban conservation and design studies for cultural heritages and urban developments. His latest contribution was the design of the Executive MBA educational facility on AUD campus.

As an Artist, he has evolved a specific technique that combines automatic art and meditation practices. His artwork is an ongoing and ever-growing compilation of works known by “Unconscious.” The 100+ art pieces have been exhibited internationally in Venice, Dubai, Munich, and London.

Moreover, Dr. Kachaamy has won international prizes from renowned organizations such as the International Union of Architects, UIA (Union Internationale des Architects) and for the past 15 years he has published many articles and has been involved in architectural/artistic talks, and exhibitions. In 2018, 2019, and 2021 he was invited by the European Cultural Center to exhibit his architecture project “Rising Oases” and artwork “Unconscious” at the Palazzo Bembo and Mora in the context of the Venice Biennale. In addition, his works and contributions have featured on major multiple media outlets such as CNN, TIME Magazine, MBC1, Skynews Arabia, Dubai TV, SAMA Dubai, Dezeen Magazine, ArchDaily, ASCE Magazine, Middle East Architect, MTV, and Future TV.

A highly motivated, result-driven Fire & Life Safety Consultant with over 17 years of experience in all aspects of Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Protection Strategies and Life Safety Code consultancy ensuring compliance with the GCC Fire Code as well as International Codes & Standards such as NFPA, FM, API. Currently leading the team of the best Fire Protection Engineers at Advanced Safety
Solutions (ASSo) Fire Protection Engineering Consultancy.

Responsible for delivering various modules at International College of Engineering & Management Oman. Modules delivered included Fire Inspector I & II, Fire Safety Design in Buildings, Health & Safety Managements, Fire Risk Management.

• Managing & leading team engineers (Fire Protection, Electrical & Mechanical) by providing technical guidance & mentoring to ensure high-quality work & adherence to project schedules & Budgets.
• developing a culture of continual improvement in terms of project delivery to clients and training supporting staff on key actions to implement
• peer reviewing the deliverables to be issues including but not limited to fire protection system design drawings and specifications involving concept development, retrofit, construction-level, and/or new system installations.
• Determining design criteria for fire protection systems for various design/build projects.
• Attending meetings with contractors, owners, and AHJ to review design strategies and documentation.
• Being a technical resource to engineering team in areas of focus with most technical involvement in a peer review capacity.

Vinod Raghothamarao is currently Director Middle East, Africa and India for GaffneyCline and based out of Dubai. He has 21+ years of work experience across Consulting and C-level Advisory, Research, Knowledge Monetization, Strategy, Technology and Management Consulting, P & L Management, Sales and New Business Development across energy (upstream oil and gas, LNG, midstream,downstream,),energy transition (Hydrogen, CCUS), industrial, EPC and mining sector. I have strong business development, analytical, project management, leadership skills as well as advanced communications skills. I have extensive experience working with a diverse set of executive clients across Asia (including Southeast Asia), USA, Latin America (Brazil), Europe (Spain, France) and the Middle East (GCC, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan) & Africa.

Vinod Raghothamarao is a regular contributor to Middle East and Global Media on energy and energy transition thought leadership articles apart from moderating and chairing panels on energy transition. Hydrogen and jury member of Middle East energy awards for the last few years.

Vinod Raghothamarao has an MBA (Finance & Strategy) from ESADE Business School in Barcelona Spain and an undergraduate degree in Computer Science Engineering from NIT Surathkal,India.

Stephen Board is a distinguished leader in the construction industry with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and an MBA in Construction and Real Estate. A Chartered Quantity Surveyor with both the RICS and CICES, and a Chartered Construction Manager with the CIOB, he brings deep technical expertise and a strong commercial perspective to complex projects.

Currently, Stephen serves as Chairman of the CIOB Abu Dhabi Hub and Chairman of the Lighthouse Club Abu Dhabi, the region’s leading construction networking organization.

Raised across Uganda, Kenya, Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, the Philippines, and Cambodia, Stephen’s international background has shaped a culturally attuned and globally minded approach to leadership. This perspective has been central to his success in navigating large-scale, multinational infrastructure projects.

Over the past 20 years in the UAE, Stephen has held senior roles as a consultant, contractor, subcontractor, and claims consultant. This breadth of experience gives him unique insight into the technical, contractual, and commercial dynamics of the industry. His proven leadership, combined with his ability to bridge cultural and professional perspectives, has earned him recognition as a respected and influential figure in construction.

Sandra is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Society of Arts and the Academy of Urbanism who has lived and worked in the UAE for 30 years. She leads tangramMENA’s design studio who are recognised for the delivery of regional, award-winning social and critical infrastructure projects, and recognised as pioneers in Sustainability and Climate Tech.

Sandra’s design approach utilises traditional desert urbanism and building materials used in a contemporary manner, creating contextually climatic responsive designs which incorporate nature based solutions to promote an improved health and wellbeing for the benefit people and planet.

Outside of her professional practice, Sandra engages in writing, publishing, teaching, presenting, and advocating for sustainable design and urbanism across the Middle East region, whilst, working to mentor, sponsor, support and promote women in the industry globally.

Professional charted engineer with over 20 years’ experience in managing multiple projects, strategic and front end, with a background in facilities management, Oil and Gas industry and Real Estate.

Mechanical Engineer by qualification with MSc in Engineering from Heriot-Watt University (UK) and registered in UK Engineering Council. His is a subject matter expert in corporate real estate and have managed the integrated facilities management contract (IFM) for Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) as key enabler for the company strategy to outsource its non-core business and- at present working to support PDO transitioning strategy to become an energy company.

He is an active member of professional engineering bodies such as Charted Institution of Building Services (UK), Arab Engineering Federation (Egypt) and Gulf Engineering Council (Bahrain). He is key speaker in local and regional conference such as Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors (RICS)

The CIOB are the largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. At the CIOB we stand for the science, ethics, and practise of the built environment across the world. Everything we do is to improve the quality of life for those using and creating the built environment.

Matt heads up the Dubai branch of The CIOB and leads the strategy for the MENA region.

Matt has been an inspirational influence in the construction industry over the last two and a half years, creating over 100 events for members and partners capturing a global audience of over 20,000 covering approx. 50 countries.

Matt posted the largest membership growth of any region throughout the pandemic and has successfully supported over 200 individuals through to chartered manager status in his time with CIOB. The CIOBs Chartered Manager and Fellow status’ are equivalent to a honours degree and masters in UK.

Matt is also responsible for revitalising the CIOBs hub communities across countries and now has over 50 active construction professionals supporting the strategy. This is one of the many ways that the CIOB can influence change in the industry.

Matt is a keen collaborator and has travelled across the region in order to develop strong relationships for CIOB and the industry.

Featured among the Top 50 Sustainability Leaders in MENA in 2023 by Sustainability Middle East Magazine. Majd is a decarbonization strategist and award-winning engineer with a track record in assisting NGOs and government organizations in developing and implementing innovative strategies and programs aimed at advancing decarbonization, energy efficiency, and green building principles in the region.

Currently, Majd leads strategy and policy development related to demand side management, water management, green mobility, and circular economy at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai government. He is the committee secretary at two high-level government committees in Dubai which aim to accelerate efficiency principles in order to reduce Dubai’s energy and water demand by 30% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Majd is also the director and board member of the Advancing Net Zero Volunteering Team which aims to accelerate the transition to net zero cities in the UAE. Prior to that, Majd held several positions including senior energy advisor to the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai, technical lead at Emirates Green Building Council, and project manager of the National CDM Program for Solar Energy in Lebanon.
Majd is the founder of an online platform #MajdTalks which aims at raising awareness about sustainability and decarbonisation topics.

Majd was a speaker at 100+ flagship sustainability events in the UAE and region and a jury member of several regional awards programs. He is also the lead author of 10 technical energy publications and has been interviewed by 15+ regional magazines, radios, and newspapers on energy and sustainability topics.
Majd was selected to be part of the first cohort of Emerging Board Leaders Fellowship, powered by HSBC which recognizes exceptional Arab and North African men and women under the age of 45 and accelerates their pathway to boardrooms.

Majd holds a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy from Saint Joseph University and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Lebanese University. He also holds a Certified Energy Manager, LEED Accredited Professional (Operations and Maintenance), and TRUE Zero Waste Advisor credentials.