Prof. Dr. Saidur Rahman
Professor Saidur Rahman is currently working as a Distinguished Research Professor and Head of the Research Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology (RCNMET) at Sunway University. He is also working with Lancaster University as a full Professor. Previously, he worked as a Chair Professor at the Center of Research Excellence in Renewable Energy at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. Prior to joining KFUPM, Prof. Saidur worked 18 years in University of Malaya, a premier University in Malaysia. He is ranked 1 in Malaysia according to top 2% Scientist by Stanford/Elsevier Analysis. He is also number 1 Scientist in Malaysia according to AD scientific, research.com and GPS scholar. Clarivate Analytics/Thomson Reuters awarded him highly cited researcher for being among the top 1% researchers for most cited documents in his research field for the eight consecutive years (2014-2021). In 2019 and 2024, Prof. Saidur won Vice Chancellor’s award for achievement in Research, Sunway University. Prof. Saidur published more than 900 journal and conference papers. Majority of them are in top ranking high impact journals. His publications are cited more than 77,000 times with an h-index of 139 according to Google Scholar citation. He has supervised more than 80 postgraduate students so far and has secured and managed more than 25 million ringgit research grants as a PI and member. Prof. Saidur is working in the area of emerging nano-materials (MXenes) and their applications in energy storage, heat transfer, solar energy harvesting and environmental remediation.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 1 09:30
Advanced Materials for energy storage and heat transfer applications
AP. Dr. Hj. Firas Basim Alnaimi
Dr. Firas Basim Ismail, Associate Professor and Head of the Smart Power Generation Research Center, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Malaysia. Adjunct Professor, Sohar University, Oman. (Concurrent post)
Dr. Firas Basim Ismail holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia (2010), an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology, Iraq (2003), and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology, Iraq (1999). He completed his secondary education at Baghdad College High School—American School, Baghdad, Iraq (1995).
He joined Universiti Tenaga Nasional in 2013, where he has been actively engaged in research and development in thermo-fluid dynamics, power plant performance optimization, and renewable-smart power generation technologies. He has successfully led over 25 research projects, authored more than 150 journal and conference papers, and received 61 international awards. Dr. Firas is a chartered engineer with IMechE, UK, and has been invited as a plenary speaker at several international conferences.
Dr. Firas Basim Ismail holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia (2010), an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology, Iraq (2003), and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology, Iraq (1999). He completed his secondary education at Baghdad College High School—American School, Baghdad, Iraq (1995).
He joined Universiti Tenaga Nasional in 2013, where he has been actively engaged in research and development in thermo-fluid dynamics, power plant performance optimization, and renewable-smart power generation technologies. He has successfully led over 25 research projects, authored more than 150 journal and conference papers, and received 61 international awards. Dr. Firas is a chartered engineer with IMechE, UK, and has been invited as a plenary speaker at several international conferences.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 1 10:30
Toward 2035: Renewable Energy Innovations Transforming Our Future.
Day 2 9:30
Advanced Technology Vehicles
Prof. Dr. Ghalib Kahwaji
Dr. Kahwaji joined RIT Dubai in 2011, he served as the chair of the Mechanical and industrial engineering till 2023 and is the now directing the newly established Sustainability and Energy center.
Dr. Ghalib holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University (CSU) and M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mosul, Iraq. Dr. Kahwaji joined RIT-Dubai as a professor of thermo-fluids, air conditioning and renewable energy systems. Prior to joining RIT, he spent five years in industry and engineering consulting as the head of MEP design department and engineering manager at Al-Gurg Consultants – Dubai and TRANSCO – Abu Dhabi where his work involved large-scale water transmission systems, energy systems for high rise and industrial buildings in the UAE. He also leads in the design of many green buildings in Dubai.
Prior to moving to the UAE, Dr. Kahwaji served as the assistant dean for research and graduate programs and chairman of the department of mechanical engineering at the college of engineering, University of Mosul from 2003 till 2006 and as a faculty of mechanical engineering since 1987. During his work at the mechanical engineering department, Dr. Kahwaji participated in reviewing undergraduate and graduate programs, developed and started the PhD program in 1992 and saw its progress till 2006. Dr. Kahwaji has more than 40 publications, supervised 23 MSc and PhD students and was deeply involved with the industrial sector in Iraq through the Engineering Consulting Bureau of the University.
Dr. Ghalib holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University (CSU) and M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mosul, Iraq. Dr. Kahwaji joined RIT-Dubai as a professor of thermo-fluids, air conditioning and renewable energy systems. Prior to joining RIT, he spent five years in industry and engineering consulting as the head of MEP design department and engineering manager at Al-Gurg Consultants – Dubai and TRANSCO – Abu Dhabi where his work involved large-scale water transmission systems, energy systems for high rise and industrial buildings in the UAE. He also leads in the design of many green buildings in Dubai.
Prior to moving to the UAE, Dr. Kahwaji served as the assistant dean for research and graduate programs and chairman of the department of mechanical engineering at the college of engineering, University of Mosul from 2003 till 2006 and as a faculty of mechanical engineering since 1987. During his work at the mechanical engineering department, Dr. Kahwaji participated in reviewing undergraduate and graduate programs, developed and started the PhD program in 1992 and saw its progress till 2006. Dr. Kahwaji has more than 40 publications, supervised 23 MSc and PhD students and was deeply involved with the industrial sector in Iraq through the Engineering Consulting Bureau of the University.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 2 10:30
Energy Innovation: From Academia to Industry
Prof. Dr. Liberato Ferrara
Liberato Ferrara, PhD, is associate professor of Structural Analysis and Design and holds the Italian National qualification to full professor.
He has been Fulbright visiting scholar at the Center for Advanced Cement Based Materials, Northwestern University, IL, USA and is visiting professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, PRC.
He is the chair of H2020 project ReSHEALience, “Rethinking coastal defence and Green-energy Service infrastructures through enHancEd-durAbiLity high-performance cement-based materials”. He has been responsible of the PoliMi research group in two EU-FP7 projects and coordinated bilateral scientific cooperation projects Italy/South Korea, Italy/India, and Italy/Germany.
He is currently chair of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) TC 544-Fiber Reinforced Concrete and Italian representative in the COST Action 15020 SARCOS- Self healing as preventive repair in concrete structures.
He authored more than 60 papers published in peer reviewed journals on his research interests, which include material concept and structural applications of advanced cementitious composites, self-healing concrete, 3D printing with cementitious materials and sustainability of cement-based materials and structures.
He has been Fulbright visiting scholar at the Center for Advanced Cement Based Materials, Northwestern University, IL, USA and is visiting professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, PRC.
He is the chair of H2020 project ReSHEALience, “Rethinking coastal defence and Green-energy Service infrastructures through enHancEd-durAbiLity high-performance cement-based materials”. He has been responsible of the PoliMi research group in two EU-FP7 projects and coordinated bilateral scientific cooperation projects Italy/South Korea, Italy/India, and Italy/Germany.
He is currently chair of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) TC 544-Fiber Reinforced Concrete and Italian representative in the COST Action 15020 SARCOS- Self healing as preventive repair in concrete structures.
He authored more than 60 papers published in peer reviewed journals on his research interests, which include material concept and structural applications of advanced cementitious composites, self-healing concrete, 3D printing with cementitious materials and sustainability of cement-based materials and structures.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 1 13:00
Revolutionizing Concrete: From Self-Healing to 3D
AP. Dr. Ali Sameer Muhsan
Dr. Ali S. Muhsan is a Senior Lecturer at the Mechanical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia. Dr. Ali Sameer Muhsan earned his PhD in 2014 from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. He completed his master’s degree in 2010 at Universiti Sains Malaysia. In 2006, he received his bachelor’s degree from Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, Iraq.
His expertise lies in nanotechnology, advanced materials, and manufacturing technology, with a strong focus on Oil & Gas applications, including proppant coating technologies, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and drilling fluid additives. He has contributed significantly to hydrogen storage systems, thermal management, and nanomaterial development for energy applications. With over 75 high-impact publications, multiple patents, and industry collaborations, his work has led to innovative solutions for hydraulic fracturing, thermal conductivity enhancement, and energy-efficient materials. Dr. Muhsan has secured over RM2 million in research funding and has been actively involved in industry-academia partnerships, consulting on hydrogen safety, nanotechnology, and energy-efficient solutions.
His expertise lies in nanotechnology, advanced materials, and manufacturing technology, with a strong focus on Oil & Gas applications, including proppant coating technologies, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and drilling fluid additives. He has contributed significantly to hydrogen storage systems, thermal management, and nanomaterial development for energy applications. With over 75 high-impact publications, multiple patents, and industry collaborations, his work has led to innovative solutions for hydraulic fracturing, thermal conductivity enhancement, and energy-efficient materials. Dr. Muhsan has secured over RM2 million in research funding and has been actively involved in industry-academia partnerships, consulting on hydrogen safety, nanotechnology, and energy-efficient solutions.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 1 14:30
Hydrogen Storage and Safety: Innovations, Challenges, and Industrial Applications
Prof. Dr. Hakim S. Sultan Aljibori
Professor Dr. Hakim S. Sultan Aljibori, has more than 20 years’ experience in teaching, training and scientific research. Dr. Hakim held several positions, head of the Research Centre, head of Mechanical Engineering Department, head of strategic Studies center and dean of Faculty of Engineering in University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa, Iraq. As well as Consulting and Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Baghdad and his M. Sc., PhD in Mechanical Engineering from University Putra Malaysia (UPM). Dr. Hakim Aljibori also has post Doctorate in Energy Systems from UPM. Prof. Hakim worked 4 years at University of Malaya (UM) and 6 years at University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Oman. He supervised 15 Master and PhD students and has been responsible for many research funded projects. His Research interested in Applied Mechanics, Composite Material, Corrosion, FEA and Energy Systems, he published 5 Chapters in Books and more than 100 papers in peer cited journal indexing in Web of Science and Scopus and holds 3 patents. He has received several awards.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 2 13:00
Advanced Materials in Aircraft Applications
Ir. AP. Dr. Bashar S. Mohammed
Ir. Dr. Bashar S. Mohammed currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. With a profound expertise in civil and construction engineering, his focus lies in the development of sustainable materials, particularly rubbercrete, geopolymer interlocking bricks, and engineered cementitious composites. Dr. Bashar has demonstrated exceptional leadership, notably as the former Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and as Head of the Offshore Engineering Centre of Excellence at UTP. His impressive credentials, which include being a Registered Professional Engineer (BEM), Fellow and Chartered Engineer (ICE), and Project Management Professional (PMP®), reflect his unparalleled technical proficiency. Renowned for his ability to promote collaboration between global leaders, Dr. Bashar has chaired multiple international engineering conferences and served as President of the Mygeopolymer Society. His academic and leadership achievements are complemented by over 194 SCOPUS-indexed publications and numerous international honours, including multiple gold awards in prestigious innovation exhibitions. Moreover, he has authored six influential books, among them the award-winning “Rubbercrete Interlocking Bricks,” which received the Best Scientific Book Award 2021 from the Malaysian Scientific Publishing Council, as well as “Design of Reinforced Concrete Elements to Eurocode 2,” which honoured with the National Book Award 2018 by the National Book Development Foundation, Malaysia.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 2 13:00
Rubbercrete Bricks: Pioneering Sustainable Construction with Scrap Tire Innovation
Ir. Dr. Chua Yaw Long
Ir. Dr. Chua Yaw Long has 22 years of teaching experience, including transnational education involving HEIs in Malaysia, UK, and Dubai. His major expertise are Control System Engineering and Engineering Design Process. He has taught a wide range of modules for undergraduates and postgraduates, in-person and virtually. He has successfully mentored colleagues to be registered as Chartered Engineers with the Engineering Council as well as Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia. His research focus includes capacity building (Creativity and Thinking Skills, Learning Innovation, Complex Problem- Solving Skills) and engineering related areas (Robotics, Mechatronics, Automation, Control and Renewable Energy) to bring a new paradigm shift in engineering education-social sciences studies. He has supervised over 150 research projects in various areas in STEM and Engineering Education, Capacity Building, Creativity and Innovation Engineering. He has published 55 peer-reviewed journals and proceedings.
SPEECH SESSIONS
Day 2 14:30
Engineering Innovation: From Control to Creativity