Research output per year
Research output per year
Research activity per year
Program Director of Civil Engineering | Senior Lecturer
Heriot-Watt University Dubai
Pouria Hafiz is an experienced academic and industry professional specializing in civil and structural engineering and education. Since joining Heriot-Watt University in 2012, he has been actively involved in teaching, research, and leadership roles within the Civil Engineering discipline.
He teaches and supervises students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a focus on:
Pouria has introduced innovative teaching methods, including flipped classrooms, experiential learning, and industry-integrated projects. He has also played a key role in the accreditation of Civil Engineering programs by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) and the UAE Ministry of Education (CAA).
Beyond academia, he has extensive industrial experience working with Dubai Municipality, contractors, and consultants, contributing to key infrastructure projects. He also leads industry collaborations as the Academic Chair of the Civil Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and has been instrumental in fostering relationships with IStructE, ICE, and other professional bodies.
Industry Collaboration & Major Projects
Beyond academia, he has extensive industrial experience, working with Dubai Municipality, contractors, consultants, and national water authorities on major infrastructure projects. He also leads industry collaborations as the Academic Chair of the Civil Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, fostering relationships with IStructE, ICE, and other professional bodies.
In 2020, he led Heriot-Watt Dubai’s participation in the Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME), an international competition focused on designing and building a sustainable, net-positive energy home. As Faculty Lead, he supervised a multidisciplinary team of 120 students and 40 industry partners, managing all aspects of structural design, architectural modeling, MEP systems, and on-site construction.
Key achievements of the SDME 2020 project:
In 2025, he successfully launched the first-ever Constructionarium in Dubai in collaboration with Dubai Precast, providing students with hands-on experience in large-scale construction.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review