Dr. Haifa Ebrahim AlKhalifa

Dr. Haifa Ebrahim Al-Khalifa is a distinguished Bahraini academic, architect, and Associate Professor of Architecture, currently serving as the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Bahrain. She earned her PhD in Architecture from Cardiff University, an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s  degree in interior architecture from King Faisal University. Recognised for her leadership  in higher education and innovation, she has played a pivotal role in advancing  engineering and architectural education through strategic program development,  interdisciplinary research, and strong partnerships with industry and government. Her scholarship focuses on sustainable architecture and the integration of cultural and Islamic design principles into contemporary practice. An accomplished keynote speaker and published researcher, Dr. Al-Khalifa has received national recognition for her contributions to education, leadership, and the built environment.

Mr. Ahmed Bucheery

Ahmed Bucheery, Founder, Principal Architect & Managing Director of Gulf House Engineering (GHE); is responsible for expanding and reinforcing GHE’s position as a large multi-disciplinary Bahraini consultancy firm, with inter-national standards and a global project footprint, stretching from Australia to the United Kingdom, with the central focus on the GCC region. His visionary approach to Architecture, Conservation and Urban Planning, with a primary focus on the physical and cultural context of the site, coupled with his breadth of knowledge in technical aspects and construction industry, has resulted in innovative and award-winning projects, characterized by a distinctive sense of place and time. He led and pioneered the interpretation and use of traditional architectural principles of the Gulf region, in both modern and conservation projects. He is also one of the first Bahraini architects who passionately addresses the continuity and balance between tradition and modernity, and advocates this movement through his projects in Bahrain and the Gulf region. He has excelled in the art of engaging modern technologies to compliment traditional craftsmanship and bringing life to inert materials. His award track record includes the Arab Towns Organization in 2008 & 2013, Prince Sultan Award for Architectural Heritage 2014, Meed Quality Awards for Projects in 2016, and his work has been invited to exhibit for the world-renowned Aga Khan Award for Architecture. He lectures widely on Architecture, acts often as a jury member in architectural competitions, and serves in an advisory capacity for a number of academic institutions.

Dr. Mohamed H. Elnabawi

Dr. Mohamed H. Elnabawi Mahgoub is an Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), where he also coordinates MSc and PhD programs. He holds a PhD in Architectural Design from Newcastle University (UK), along with  advanced degrees in architecture and business administration. Dr. Mahgoub’s research focuses on building energy performance, urban microclimate, and  climate-responsive design in hot-arid environments, with particular emphasis on outdoor  thermal comfort, urban heat island (UHI) mitigation, and passive cooling strategies. His work  integrates advanced simulation tools such as EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, and ENVI-met, alongside data-driven and AI-based approaches to support sustainable and resilient urban development.

He has led and participated in several funded research projects addressing energy efficiency and thermal comfort in the MENA region and has published extensively in top-tier international journals, with multiple Q1-ranked publications in the fields of building science  and sustainability.

Dr. Mahgoub is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and a LEED Green Associate. He actively contributes to the academic community as a guest editor for leading journals, a member of international scientific committees, and a reviewer for high-impact publications. His work has been recognized through several awards, including the Best Paper Award at international conferences and recognition in global design competitions focused on climate-responsive urban design.

Prof. Houbert Claudine

Claudine Houbart is a full professor at the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Liège (Belgium). She heads the DIVA laboratory, which is dedicated to the documentation, interpretation and valorisation of heritage. Her research focuses on the history of heritage conservation theories and practices in the second half of the 20th century at the international level, with a particular interest in networks of actors and the drafting, circulation and interpretation of doctrinal documents. She is a member of the bureau of the ICOMOS international scientific committee on Theory and Philosophy of Conservation and Restoration (TheoPhilos).