ICSDI Special Sessions
ASCE Future World Vision
Mega City 2070
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has a promising project called Future World Vision which introduces a plausible city and its evolution from 2020 to 2070 called Mega City 2070. The immersive, 3D digital model puts you at the heart of Mega City and invites you to contribute to the dynamic in-platform community. Guided by extensive scenario planning and grounded in deep research, Future World Vision informs the decisions we make today by provoking a new understanding of the opportunities and challenges that will shape tomorrow’s built environment.
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ICSDI 2026 will offer a remarkable opportunity for all attendees to immerse themselves in the wonders of the Mega City 2070 through an extraordinary virtual reality experience. With the use of VR goggles, participants will have the unique chance to step into the future and explore this awe-inspiring megacity firsthand. This cutting-edge technology will provide an unprecedented level of engagement, allowing individuals to witness the advanced infrastructure, sustainable systems, and innovative urban design that define Mega City 2070. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey into the future at ICSDI 2026!
Experience The Future
The 4th workshop on “The Future of Learning in Smart Cities: Integrating Smart Technologies for Innovative and Sustainable Solutions"
Description/Abstract
This workshop explores how smart, sustainable education powered by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), AI, IoT, cloud, VR, and connected devices are reshaping teaching and learning. This workshop provides a unique forum for educators, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to exchange insights, share best practices, and explore collaborative strategies to implement smart and sustainable education in the context of smart cities.
Topics of Interest
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AI and Data-Driven Personalization: Exploring how AI, machine learning, and analytics enable personalized, adaptive, and emotion-aware learning experiences.
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Immersive and Connected Learning Environments: Advancing smart classrooms, IoT-enabled platforms, and immersive technologies such as AR/VR to enhance engagement.
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Smart Campuses and City Integration: Linking education with broader smart city initiatives through digital twins, predictive analytics, and innovative urban learning spaces.
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Sustainability and Policy Innovation: Embedding green practices, curriculum reform, and UN SDG-aligned policies to foster sustainable smart education.
Dr. Moustafa Mazin Nasralla
(Special session Chair)
Lab Head of the Smart Systems Engineering, Associate professor in the Department of Communications and Networks Engineering, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Moustafa. M. Nasralla (SM IEEE) received the B.Sc. degree (Hons.) in electrical engineering from Hashemite University, Jordan, in 2010, the M.Sc. degree in networking and data communications from Kingston University, London, U.K., in 2011, and the Ph.D. degree from the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing (SEC), Kingston University. He is currently an Associate Professor and chairman of the Department of Communications and Networks Engineering, Prince Sultan University (PSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is currently the leader of the Smart Systems Engineering Laboratory (SSEL) at PSU. He was a member of the Wireless Multimedia and Networking (WMN) Research Group at Kingston University. He served as an Active Reviewer and received several distinguished reviewer awards from several reputable journals, such as IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Wireless Communications (Elsevier), and Computer Network (Elsevier). He has solid research contributions in the area of networks and data communications, which are proven with publications in reputable journals with ISI Thomson JCR. He has won several national and internationally funded projects, such as Intelli-Student for the British Council, 5G-enabled Smart City Development in Saudi Arabia, U.K. Home Office, and EU FP7 CONCERTO. Currently, he is serving as a Guest Editor for Alexandria Engineering Journal (Elsevier), International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks (SAGE), Journal of Communications and Networks (Frontiers) and an Organizer of the International Conference on Sustainability: Developments and Innovations, and the 5G-Enabled Smart Cities workshop in the IEEE International Conference on Smart Cities. Moreover, he is a Senior Member of IEEE Young Professionals, IEEE ComSoc, and the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). He has published over 60 articles in high-impact factor journals and reputable conferences. His research interests include the latest generation of wireless communication systems (e.g., 6G, 5G, LTE A, and LTE wireless networks), wireless sensor networks, network security, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, radio resource allocation, telemedicine and video compression, and multimedia communications. He is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Dr. Tahira Hoke
(Panellist Session Chair)
Aide to the President; Vice Dean, Deanship of Quality Assurance and Development;
Director, Evaluation and Academic Accreditation Center; Sustainability Fellow & Consultant;
Faculty Member, College of Sciences & Humanities
Saudi Arabia
Dr. Tahira Hoke holds multiple roles at Prince Sultan University (PSU) in Saudi Arabia, where she serves as the Aide to the President, Director of Evaluation and Academic Accreditation, a Sustainability Fellow for the Center for Sustainability and Climate, and a distinguished faculty member within the College of Humanities and Science. With a background in psychology and degrees from UCLA and Claremont Graduate University, she has undertaken diverse roles in her career, including serving as a senior researcher and evaluator in US nonprofit organizations. Her expertise also extends to accreditation, as she has worked as an accreditation reviewer for accreditation agencies (e.g., NCAAA, CAA, Cognia) and provided consultancy services to educational institutions in the MENA region. Dr. Tahira has coordinated successful reviews with various accreditation agencies (e.g., AACSB, HCERES, ABET). Her dedication to advancing education, sustainability, and quality assurance underscores her commitment to making a positive impact within higher education and research communities. Hoke's research interests include sustainability and the impact of AI on higher education, human motivation, and emotional intelligence.
Dr. Ikram U. Rehman
Associate Professor in AI and Data Science, Middlesex University, Dubai, UAE
Ikram Ur Rehman is an Associate Professor and subject matter expert in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department at Middlesex University Dubai. His expertise spans Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Smart Systems, and Digital Transformation, with applications in education, healthcare, and smart cities.
In his previous academic roles at the University of West London, Coventry University, and Kingston University in the UK, Dr. Ikram has successfully led and collaborated on multi-institutional AI research projects, securing competitive funding for AI-driven education, IoT-based AI solutions, and smart city projects. He has contributed significantly to advancing AI applications in education, healthcare, and intelligent systems. He is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia, a consultant to the UAE Teacher’s Network, and an Advisory Board Member of the AI Education Forum, MENA’s largest AI education initiative, where he shapes the integration of AI in academia and industry.
Dr. Ikram’s research output includes over 60 publications across high-impact journals, peer-reviewed conferences, and book chapters. He has led, designed, and delivered AI-focused curricula at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, covering Machine Learning, Deep Learning, AI-driven Computing, and Smart Systems. He has supervised over 80 BSc projects, MSc dissertations, and several PhD students to completion, and contributed to BCS and IET accreditation, curriculum design, and quality assurance. In addition, he serves on editorial boards of leading journals and regularly chairs international workshops and conference sessions.
His academic excellence has been recognised through multiple awards, including Academic of the Year, the Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award, and the Teaching Excellence Award. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a Senior Member of IEEE, currently serving as Vice Chair of the IEEE Smart Cities Awards and Recognition Committee.
Dr. Haleem Farman
Smart Systems Engineering Laboratory, Department of Communications and Networks Engineering, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University
Saudi Arabia
Dr. Haleem Farman (SM IEEE) is an accomplished researcher and academic with 15 years of experience at the intersection of academia and industry. As a Researcher at Prince Sultan University and Adjunct Professor at Whitecliffe New Zealand, he is driving innovation in smart systems, IoT, and AI, while actively contributing to major research initiatives and academic leadership. With around 15 years of experience in academia and research, his expertise spans the Internet of Things, Privacy Preservation, Intrusion Detection Systems, Adhoc Networks, Smart Cities, and Artificial Intelligence. He has led and contributed to multiple funded research projects supported by prestigious organizations, including the British Council, Research Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan University, and the Government of Pakistan. Dr. Haleem has published over 60 research articles in high-impact journals, conferences, and book chapters, and have actively supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, an active member of IEEE Young Professionals, and currently serve as Vice-Chair of the IEEE Smart Cities Awards and Recognition Committee, highlighting his leadership and dedication to advancing smart city technologies and academic excellence. He is serving as Academic Editor of PlosOne Journal. He has also organized workshops in international conferences such as 101 IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC-Spring2025), 9 th IEEE International Smart Cities Conference 2023, and 2nd International conference on Sustainability Development.
Dr. Maged Abdullah Esmail
Smart Systems Engineering Laboratory, Department of Communications and Networks Engineering, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Maged A. Esmail received the B.E. degree in electronic engineering from Ibb University, in 2006, and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees (Hons.) in electrical engineering from KSU University, in 2012 and 2017, respectively. He was a Post-Doctoral Research Associate with the KACST-TIC RFTONICS Center at King Saud University. He is currently an associate professor of Electrical Engineering at Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Maged has served as a reviewer for various IEEE Journals and other international journals. He has authored/co-authored over 90 journal and conference publications. Currently, he serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE ACCESS journal. His research interests include optical communications, photonic-based radars, machine learning applications for optical communication, IoT, and 5G networks.
Dr. Israa Fardous
Assistant Professor, Interior Design Department, College of Architecture and Design, Prince Sultan University,
Faculty Sustainability Ambassador for the Center for Sustainability & Climate | Lab Leader, Built Environment Research Group (BERG), Prince Sultan University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Isra’a Salim Fardous is an assistant professor in the Interior Design department at Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Architecture and Sustainable Design, demonstrating specialized expertise in sustainable architecture, interior design, building systems, and environmental studies.
Dr. Fardous serves as the Faculty Sustainability Ambassador and leads the Built Environment Research Group, where she actively promotes research and innovation in sustainable design practices. She is also a recognized peer reviewer for international publishers, including Elsevier and Common Ground.
With extensive experience managing diverse design projects across multiple sectors, Dr. Fardous has contributed significantly to advancing sustainable architectural practices. Her academic contributions include authored books and peer-reviewed publications in the fields of sustainability and design.
She is a member of the Saudi Society for Architectural and Urban Sciences, reflecting her commitment to advancing architectural and urban discourse within the Kingdom and beyond.
Dr. Jolly Sahni
Associate Director for the MBA Program, Director, Jubilation Office, Faculty, Department of Management, College of Business Administration, Sustainability Fellow for the Center for Sustainability & Climate, Prince Sultan University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Jolly Sahni is a committed academic leader and renowned researcher, currently serving as the Associate Director of the MBA Program and Director of the Jubilation Office at Prince Sultan University. She earned her Ph.D. in 2012 in Business Administration. She is an award-winning professor, and renowned researcher in Strategic Human Resource Management, Quality of Work Life, and Corporate Diversification. With numerous Scopus-indexed publications, she has been invited to deliver keynote speeches, lectures, and workshops at leading international institutions including Harvard, Oxford, Newcastle etc. Her strategic leadership is deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with ongoing research focusing on Sustainability, Responsible Education, and Decent Work.
ICSDI workshop [2]
“Engineering Innovations for Sustainable Development"
Description/Abstract
This workshop highlights cutting-edge engineering innovations driving sustainability across energy, transportation, water, and infrastructure systems. Topics include smart and low-emission transportation, AI-driven optimization in energy and mobility, circular-economy approaches in geotechnical materials, and solar-powered desalination technologies.
By integrating these fields, the workshop demonstrates how intelligent systems, renewable energy, and sustainable design can collectively reduce emissions, enhance efficiency, and build resilient infrastructure. The session supports Saudi Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through applied research and practical innovations for a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable future.
Prof. Abdelkader Abdullah
Professor at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abdelkader Abdullah is Professor at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. My research portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. My work focuses on renewable and clean energy in various applications, as solar heaters design, refrigeration systems, water desalination and hydrogen production. Over 30 years of experience in academia, research have experience in the design of solar power plants, photovoltaic systems, grid integration, and energy storage solutions. He has been listed among the World’s Top 2% researchers in the Energy field announced by the University of Stanford, USA for last 5 years.
Dr. Sultan Almuaythir
Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sultan Almuaythir is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. He holds a Ph.D. in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering from North Carolina State University. His research focuses on sustainable soil improvement and waste valorization.
Dr. Thaar Alqahtani
Assistant Professor of Transportation Engineering at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Thaar Alqahtani is an Assistant Professor at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Highway and Traffic Engineering, and Traffic Safety. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has extensive experience in both academia and industry. Dr. Alqahtani has contributed to engineering projects at the Royal Commission in Jubail and has a strong research focus on enhancing transportation safety and efficiency through advanced technologies. His work aims to drive meaningful advancements in civil engineering and the broader transportation sector.
Dr. Malek Alduhaymi
Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Malek Alduhaymi is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU), where he leads the Future Energy Research Group. He received his PhD from Imperial College London with expertise in data-driven algorithms, AI applications, and smart grids. His research focuses on energy management, grid resilience, renewable integration, and data analytics for intelligent infrastructure. He previously worked with Blake Clough Consultancy, London, gaining industry experience in energy systems. He also collaborates with CHINT on applied research projects and is a member of the IEEE Task Force on Digital Twin of Large-Scale Power Systems