UI GreenMetric 2026 Results & Awards Ceremony

Abdifetah Ahmed Rabi is a seasoned executive with over 19 years of experience in higher education administration, strategic institutional development, and large-scale infrastructure projects. As founding administrator of the University of Kabridahar for 8.5 years-serving as Vice President, Acting President, and President-he transformed a government initiative into a fully operational green-campus institution. He oversaw its development from master planning and construction of academic facilities and student housing to establishing curricula, governance, financial systems, and faculty frameworks. He continues to lead strategic growth, international partnerships, research, and community engagement.

Nihat Majidov has served as Chief Executive Officer of the High Technologies Park under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan since June 2024, focusing on driving national technology and innovation ecosystems. He graduated with distinction from ADA University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Between 2019 and 2024, he gained extensive experience in strategy, business development, and project management across leading multinational firms, including McKinsey & Company, EY, KPMG, and Procter & Gamble. Prior to his current appointment, he led the Strategy and Project Management Department at the SABAH.HUB Innovation Center from January 2024.

Nihat Majidov has served as Chief Executive Officer of the High Technologies Park under the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan since June 2024, focusing on driving national technology and innovation ecosystems. He graduated with distinction from ADA University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Between 2019 and 2024, he gained extensive experience in strategy, business development, and project management across leading multinational firms, including McKinsey & Company, EY, KPMG, and Procter & Gamble. Prior to his current appointment, he led the Strategy and Project Management Department at the SABAH.HUB Innovation Center from January 2024.

Professor Gulchohra Mammadova is Rector of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction and a prominent scholar in the field of architectural history and heritage restoration. Her academic work focuses on the architectural heritage of Caucasian Albania and early Christian architecture in Azerbaijan. She is the author of more than 150 scientific and methodological publications and a member of several international architectural academies. She has received numerous state honors for her contributions to architecture and education.

Dr. Fahid Riaz is a specialist in Sustainable Energy Engineering at Abu Dhabi University, UAE, where he has worked since 2021. He leads R&D projects in sustainable buildings, HVAC, cooling and power technologies, Energy & AI, and innovation. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Singapore (NUS), dual MSc degrees from Sweden and the Netherlands, and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore. Previously, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and deep-tech start-up founder at NUS, as well as in academia and industry in Pakistan. He has led 8 funded R&D projects and authored 90+ publications.

Born in Baku in 1969, he graduated in Applied Mathematics from Azerbaijan State Oil Academy and pursued PhD studies in Artificial Intelligence. He holds a Master’s degree in Energy Management and Ecology from ENI Corporate University, an MBA from the University of Leicester, and an IPMA Level B certification. He has held senior positions at SOCAR, including Managing Director of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline company and Chairman of the Board of several SOCAR joint ventures. He later served as Deputy General Manager of SOCAR Upstream and Advisor to the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. He has 9 scientific publications, 2 patents, and was awarded the Taraggi Medal in 2015.

Professor Ghassan Aouad is the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, appointed in January 2023, after serving over eight years as President of Applied Science University. He earned his MSc (1987) and PhD (1991) from Loughborough University and held senior roles at University of Salford, including Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. He later expanded his leadership internationally as President of University of Wollongong in Dubai and Vice President at Gulf University for Science and Technology. A prolific academic, he has supervised many PhD students, published extensively, and secured significant research funding. He is also a Fellow of Advance HE and the Chartered Institute of Building, and received an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University in 2016.

Zulfiyya Shafiyeva is Head of the International Cooperation Department at the State Agency for Science and Higher Education in Azerbaijan. With over nine years of experience in the higher education sector, she has worked across international cooperation, international project management, and quality assurance. Prior to her current role, she served as Head of the International Projects Management Unit at the State Agency for Science and Higher Education. Ms. Shafiyeva holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Khazar University.

Mr. Taha Jamil Sawar is a visionary digital leader and Rector of Northern University Nowshera, Pakistan, driving transformation in higher education, digital innovation, and sustainable development. Under his leadership, the university has expanded its academic portfolio through the establishment of new nursing and allied health colleges, four PhD programs, and two MS programs. He actively promotes AI, data-driven decision-making, smart education, and the integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals into education, research, and institutional strategy. He is also the CEO and Founder of Dione Software, bringing valuable expertise in technology and entrepreneurship to his academic leadership.

Dr. Yusif Ibrahimov is Director of the AI Institute at ASOIU and an Assistant Professor at UFAZ. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of York, UK, where his research focused on Explainable AI for Mental Healthcare. He has also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Chair of the PGR Committee in the Department of Computer Science at York. He is an Associate Fellow of Advance HE and a winner of ASOIU’s Young Researchers Program.

Mahmud Ismayilov is a lecturer and researcher in Mechanical Engineering at Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU), where he also serves as Head of the ASOIU–University of Warwick Dual Degree Programme in Renewable Energy. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, with research focused on floating offshore wind turbine platforms, structural analysis, CFD, and renewable energy systems. His academic and professional interests include offshore engineering, numerical modelling, AI-assisted engineering, and sustainable energy technologies.

She is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Universitas Indonesia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Universitas Indonesia (1997), a Master’s from the University of New South Wales (2001), and a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, UK (2005). Her research focuses on porous inorganic materials, including zeolites, mesoporous carbon, and MOFs, for environmental applications such as adsorbents, sensors, catalysts, and photocatalysts. She leads the Solid Inorganic Framework (SIF) Research Group and maintains international collaborations in Germany, the UK, and Japan. She is also active in IZI, HKI, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. In 2014, she was recognized as the 3rd Outstanding Lecturer at Universitas Indonesia and served as Deputy for Academic Affairs at UI’s Academic Quality Assurance Agency from 2015–2020.

Professor Waleed M. Sweileh is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University. He has also served in key academic leadership roles such as Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dean of Scientific Research, and Dean of Graduate Studies, as well as Director of the University Ranking Department. His research focuses on bibliometric and scientometric analysis, global health research mapping, antimicrobial resistance, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and access to medicines. He is widely published in international peer-reviewed journals and is recognized for his contributions to research evaluation and higher education quality systems.

Prof. Nazih Khaddaj Mallat (IEEE Senior Member, and member of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec) received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Lebanese University (2000), Master from Telecom Bretagne, France (2002), and Ph.D. in Telecommunications from University of Quebec, Canada (2010). He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at École Polytechnique de Montréal (2010–2012) and received two FQRNT scholarships for academic excellence. Since 2013, he has held several academic and administrative positions at Al Ain University (United Arab Emirates), including Head of Department, Deputy Dean (College of Engineering), Dean (College of Engineering), and Director of the QA & Institutional Research Center. He has been Vice President (Accreditation & QA) since 2020. Prof. Khaddaj Mallat is a certified reviewer for several accreditation bodies, including CAA (UAE), ADEK (UAE), ABET (USA), CAEP (USA), and QAA (UK), and has participated in over 25 accreditation visits (both on-site & virtual) across multiple countries.

Professor Affaf K. Al-Oufy is Vice President of Alexandria University for Community Service and Environmental Affairs and a Professor of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. She holds a Ph.D. from Drexel University, USA, and has over 25 years of experience in academia, research, industry, and government collaboration. Her leadership focuses on sustainability, environmental protection, water, energy, food security, and smart waste management. She previously served as Dean of Engineering at Galala University and received the 2023 Engineering Research Award for Academia in Africa from FAEO and UNESCO.

Dr Maria Tareen is a researcher, Aarhus University. She holds a PhD from the University of Warwick and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has led Royal Academy of Engineering and British Council partnerships, and asks how inclusion, ethics, and equity can be built into sustainable campus transformation rather than added as afterthoughts.

Elkhan Bashirov is the General Manager of Umid-Babek Operating Company (UBOC), leading the development of one of Azerbaijan's strategic offshore gas assets. With more than two decades of international experience in the energy sector, he has held senior leadership positions in operations, projects, and corporate strategy, including roles on major oil field developments and at bp's headquarters in London. In addition to his industry leadership, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU). Mr. Bashirov holds an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

Tural Maharramov (born July 24, 1992, Baku) is an Azerbaijani environmental engineer, corporate manager, and educator. He holds Master's degrees from the University of Nottingham and the National Aviation Academy, where he also completed doctoral research on aerospace methods for evaluating oil spill impacts. Having built his career at SOCAR since 2014, he currently serves as Environmental Manager at SOCAR Downstream Management and Department Head at the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery. Additionally, he teaches in the joint Renewable Energy dual Master's program between the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and the University of Warwick, and serves as Chairman and Co-founder of the Azerbaijan-Germany Alumni and Professionals Association.

Professor Raphael J. Heffron is Professor and Dean at the College of Law at Abu Dhabi University (a world Top-250 THE university). He is an international expert on law and commerce in the areas of energy, climate change, sustainability, just transition and public policy issues. He also is a qualified Barrister-at-Law, a Senior Counsel and a graduate of both Oxford and Cambridge Universities (UK). Professor Heffron's world leading work is featured in the Top1% in the Clarvariate ranking and in the Top-2% Stanford-Elsevier Scientist List since 2020. He has published over 220 publications of different types with translated work in multiple languages including Chinese, Italian, French, Spanish, Arabic and Persian. Professor Heffron has given just over 240 keynotes/guest lectures in 71 countries.

Dr. Jemal Yousuf Hassen is the President of Haramaya University, Ethiopia and a distinguished academic scholar with extensive experience in higher education leadership, research management and international partnership development. Prior to his current role, he served as Vice President for Research Affairs at Haramaya University, where he strengthened the university’s research ecosystem, expanded global collaborations, and advanced flagship programs in agriculture, health and innovation. He also previously led the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, contributing to agricultural and rural Innovation, curriculum development, academic quality enhancement, and interdisciplinary research.

Dr. Kumar is an experienced academic, corporate trainer, and internationally recognized expert with over 24 years of experience in corporate governance, strategic management, fraud examination, forensic accounting, anti-money laundering, ESG, sustainable development, and EU law. A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Forensic Accountant (Cr.FA), he has served on international committees, including the ACFE USA International Fraud Committee and Higher Education Committee, and has delivered lectures and corporate training across Europe, the UK, and the United States. He is currently a Senior Faculty Member at UNICAF University, Cyprus–Zambia Campus.

Marco Arcieri is the President of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage and Secretary General of the Italian National Committee (ITAL-ICID). He also serves at the Southern Italy Hydrographic District Authority under the Italian Ministry of Environment, focusing on water resources management, flood prevention, and drought preparedness. With more than 30 years of experience, he has contributed to global research in irrigation, agricultural water management, climate change, and sustainable agriculture, visiting over 60 countries for international projects and conferences. He holds an International PhD in Crop Systems, Forestry and Environmental Sciences and is a member of the Steering Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization WASAG Program, while serving as a Permanent Observer to FAO, IFAD, and WMO.