1. 1. Data Handling and AI Applications:
      • Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps (KSOM)
      • Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)
      • Software sensors for environmental data processing
      • Nature-inspired optimization techniques
   2. Water Resources Management:
      • Water resources planning and management
      • Rainfall-runoff modelling in inadequately gauged basins
      • Streamflow and water level forecasting in data-poor catchments
      • Flooding and urban planning challenges
      • Water distribution network simulations
   3. Agricultural Water Use:
      • Evapotranspiration modeling
      • Crop water stress index estimation
      • Application of neural computing in agriculture
   4. Wastewater Treatment:
      • Wastewater treatment process modeling
      • Hybrid ANN models for wastewater treatment systems
      • Sustainable wastewater treatment solutions
   5. Sustainability and Climate Change:
      • Climate change impacts on water resources and reservoir performance
      • Greenhouse challenges under climate stress
   6. Hydrology and Environmental Engineering:
      • Hydrological studies in arid regions
      • Use of AI in hydrological modeling
   7. Urban Resilience and GIS:
      • Urban resilience and regeneration prioritization
      • GIS applications in urban planning and climate change adaptation

Professor Rabee Rustum is a highly accomplished civil and environmental engineer with over two decades of expertise in hydro-informatics, water, and wastewater projects. He has garnered international recognition for his innovative work in modelling activated sludge wastewater treatment plants using artificial intelligence techniques such as fuzzy logic and neural networks.

Prof. Rustum began his academic journey by earning a BSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering (First Class Honors) from Damascus University, Syria 2001. His academic excellence continued as he completed a Postgraduate Diploma (First Class) at the same institution in 2002. He furthered his specialisation in environmental risk management with an MSc from Poitiers University, France, in 2003. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Heriot-Watt University, UK, where he obtained his PhD in 2009.

In parallel with his academic endeavours, Prof. Rustum has had a vibrant professional career. Early on, he served as an environmental engineer for the Water Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Irrigation, Syria. In 2008, he transitioned into consultancy as a water and wastewater hydraulic modeller for Mouchel Group, Scotland. His practical experience, coupled with his academic prowess, has been instrumental in shaping his career.

Prof. Rustum has made significant contributions to academia, particularly at Heriot-Watt University. Since joining the Dubai campus as an Assistant Professor in 2012, he has taken on leadership roles, including Director of Studies for the Civil Engineering program and Director of Academic Quality for the School of Energy, Geosciences, Infrastructure, and Society (EGIS). His expertise in academic quality assurance and curriculum development has positioned him as a leader in higher education, overseeing complex academic portfolios across the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt's campuses in Edinburgh, Dubai, and Malaysia.

He currently serves as Associate Dean of the University for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE), and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (FCIWEM), Prof. Rustum's work is acknowledged by leading professional bodies in his field.

Throughout his career, Prof. Rustum has consistently focused on enhancing student learning, improving academic standards, and fostering innovation in education. His dedication to advancing research-driven curriculum and implementing cutting-edge teaching practices has had a lasting impact on his students.

• Associate Dean of the University (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences)‎, May 2023-now.
• Director of Academic Quality, School of Energy, Geosciences, Infrastructure, and Society, Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Dubai, and Malaysia), May 2022-now;
• Director of Studies (Associate Professor), Civil Engineering Department, Dubai Campus, Heriot-Watt University, September 2017- August 2022;
• Assistant Professor, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai campus, February 2012- September 2017;
• Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, September 2009- February 2012;
• Water and Wastewater Hydraulic Modeller, Mouchel Group, Stirling office, Scotland, UK, June 2008- January 2009;
• PhD candidate (Tutor), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, September 2005- June 2008;
• Teaching assistant, Department of Environmental Engineering, Damascus University, Syria, June 2003- September 2004;
• Environmental Engineer, Water Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Syria, October 2001- June 2003;