Brunel International Lecture Series

Savina Carluccio

Savina is the executive director of the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) and a fervent advocate of the role of civil engineers in tackling our society’s biggest challenges.

She is an experienced civil engineer and infrastructure practitioner with almost two decades of experience advising government, infrastructure owners and operators, multi-lateral development banks and NGOs to develop and implement inclusive, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure that is fit for the future. Prior to taking her role at ICSI, she served as associate director and infrastructure advisor at Arup as well as head of guidance and sandards at the Resilience Shift.

Georges Youssef

Dr Georges Youssef has been the mayor of Menjez, Lebanon since 2012. He is also a member of its agricultural cooperative association and has been a university teacher since 2000. Mayor Youssef has developed excellent knowledge and expertise in areas including integrated local sustainable development, renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate resilience.

A board member of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), Mayor Youssef serves as an ambassador for urban climate action at the local, national, and global levels.

He has always been considered a champion for urban sustainability and climate solutions in the MENA region. As a mayor, he has relentlessly tried to identify the climate change adaptation responses that best meet his municipality’s needs. He has also secured funding from various donors for a multitude of projects that were implemented to help build resilience and green infrastructure in the city of Menjez.

Nick Gardner

Nick is a civil engineer and project manager with more than 35 years of global experience in the design, construction, and project management of physical infrastructure works in both public and private sectors. He is a former chief technical advisor to the Ministry of Energy, Saudi Arabia.

He is currently head of programme for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Afghanistan, responsible for a portfolio of over US$300m of projects focused on delivering essential services that help improve livelihoods and the well-being of people.

A Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Nick holds an MSc in Development Management from the Open University and a BSc in civil engineering from Imperial College, London.

Moustafa Yehia

Moustafa, a fervent advocate for the planet's future, has devoted over 14 years to fostering sustainable advancements, and currently works as a director of sustainability at AtkinsRéalis. His contributions to the MENA built environment are marked by the various development of pivotal sustainability standards and significant involvement in transformative urban major programmes including the first Energy NetZero GCC projects. As a certified sustainability professional and a chartered construction manager, Moustafa seamlessly blends design expertise and site experience with policy advisory roles, embodying a relentless pursuit of Engineering a Better Future for our Planet and its People.

Prof. Khalifa Saif Sultan Al-Jabri

Prof. Khalifa Al-Jabri is currently a professor in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He obtained his BSc in Civil Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 1991, and his MSc and PhD degrees from The University of Sheffield, UK in 1993 and 2000, respectively. His research interest is focused on four areas: studying the behaviour of materials and structures at elevated temperatures; investigating the potential use of waste materials and industrial by-products in civil engineering applications; seismic hazard assessment of Oman; use of sustainable construction materials. Prof. Al-Jabri has published more than 220 articles in well-refereed journals, conferences, and technical reports.

Dr Hala Omar

As senior sustainability manager at Dar Al-Handasah, Dr Omar plays an influential role in the development of high-performance design. She works closely with clients to enhance their missions and meet project goals, bringing her expertise in net zero, embodied carbon, integrated design, resiliency, transport, mobility, health and well-being, and green certifications to projects.

She provides thought leadership on projects sustainability impacts and advises clients on developing and delivering ambitious carbon reduction pathways and broader sustainability visioning at a building, infrastructure, and cities scales.

Dr Omar is also the vice president of Egypt Green Building Council. In parallel to her professional experience, Dr Omar has continuously demonstrated a record of research and publishing excellence.

Sarah El-Battouty

Sarah is an architect and climate policy specialist with 20 years’ experience in the sustainable design and development field. She has been a senior advisor to the Egyptian President since 2014 and is a UNFCCC Global Ambassador with the High Level Climate Champions.

Sarah is the recipient of the Vital Voices award for greater MENA 2020. She founded Egypt's leading green building consultancy & multi award winning ECOnsult in 2013 which have the highest portfolio of green certified projects by a local architect and the first carbon neutral project in the region. She is also the founder of an scrap waste upcycling company MùBun which transforms the waste into high-end furniture. Sarah Graduated from the University of Cambridge Architecture BA, MSC in Project Management and Climate Policy.