He received his BSc (1988) and his MSc (1990) in Civil Engineering Hydraulics from the National Polytechnic School of Algiers, Algeria, and his PhD (1999) from the University of Kyushu, Japan. He served in a number of professional, academic and administration positions in Japan, Algeria and the UAE. He is member of numerous professional and academic associations. His research interests include: water management, hydraulics engineering, water hazard risk management, application of artificial intelligence to water and environmental engineering and engineering education.