Prof. Ghanim Kashwani - Building Legacies in Concrete and Character

Building Legacies in Concrete and Character: The Journey of Prof. Ghanim Kashwani
When Professor Ghanim Kashwani looks back on his journey from a civil engineering student at the
American University of Sharjah (AUS) to a globally recognized academic and industry leader, one
word comes to mind: transformative.
Born and raised in the UAE, Prof. Kashwani graduated from AUS with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s
degree (2010, 2012) in Civil Engineering, before earning his PhD in Scotland in 2016. Today, he
stands as a proud Emirati scholar, Chartered Engineer, and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers
(FICE), as well as a devoted husband and father to Shamsa and Ibrahim.

A Foundation Built at AUS
“My time at AUS was not just about earning a degree; it was about developing a mindset,” he
reflects. Guided by inspiring mentors like Professor Adil Al Tamimi, Kashwani’s years at AUS shaped
more than his technical expertise; they shaped his leadership philosophy and lifelong pursuit of
excellence.
“AUS gave me discipline, a global perspective, and the confidence to lead,” he says. “The faculty
encouraged excellence, the curriculum combined theory and application, and the culture promoted
integrity and ambition.”
These formative experiences laid the groundwork for a career that would bridge academia, research,
and industry—allowing him to influence the future of engineering both in the UAE and
internationally.

From Construction Sites to Classrooms
Civil engineering first drew Kashwani because of its tangible impact on people’s lives. “Engineering
builds the world—but academia builds the engineers,” he explains. After leading major
infrastructure projects, he felt compelled to share his expertise through teaching and research,
finding fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of innovators.
That passion led to a distinguished academic career that includes his appointment as Visiting
Professor at the University of Dubai, following his earlier recognition as Professor of Practice at the
University of Strathclyde (UK)—a title awarded for his outstanding contributions to the construction
industry.
“These recognitions affirm the trust that leading universities have in my work,” he says. “They
motivate me to continue connecting academia with industry and delivering real impact for the UAE
and beyond.”

Innovation and Impact
Prof. Kashwani’s work is driven by one principle: turning research into real-world solutions. His
projects on advanced materials such as LC3 cement and 3D-printed concrete are advancing the
UAE’s sustainability goals and redefining the future of construction. He also developed the Kashwani
Risk Assessment Methodology, now used in both academic and industrial settings, and played a key
role in establishing research centers and spin-outs that bring innovative ideas to market.