Keynote Speakers
Monday, February 12, 2024
Conference Welcome and Opening: Monday, February 12, 2024, 10:00 – 10:20 am
Keynote I: Monday, February 12, 2024, 10:20 – 11:00 am
Dr. Steve Griffiths
Senior Vice President, Research and Development
Professor of Practice
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Steven Griffiths is Senior Vice President for Research and Development and Professor of Practice at the Khalifa University of Science and Technology. At Khalifa University, his responsibilities include development and implementation of the university’s research strategy, management of the university’s research institutes and centers and management of the departments that are accountable for research partnerships, research services, technology management and innovation, research computing and research laboratories.
In addition to his executive management role at Khalifa University, Dr. Griffiths is a member of the Emirates Research and Development Council, advisor to the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, a Zayed Sustainability Prize Selection Committee member, a member of the Dubai Future Council on Energy, an elected member of the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee, a Governing Board member of the Graphene Engineering Innovation Center at the University of Manchester, a member of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Expert Group, a board member of the Microsoft Energy Core and a Board member of Human CorpMission established by the Rosatom Corporate Academy and the Higher School of Economics National Research University. He advised the government of Alberta, Canada on provincial innovation system structuring throughout 2014 and continues to support the global advancement of research and innovation via evaluator and mentor roles in regional and international research and innovation competitions and programs.
Dr. Griffiths is Associate Editor and Editorial Board member of Elsevier’s international journal Energy Strategy Reviews and Editorial Board member of Elsevier’s international journal Smart Energy. He further is a non-resident Fellow of the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines, which is a leading Institute focused on energy, natural resource and environmental policy. Dr. Griffiths’ international research engagements further include an appointment as research affiliate at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado-Boulder. In addition to these roles, Dr. Griffiths serves as advisor to journals and magazines focused on energy systems and technology innovation while regularly providing insights and commentary on technology and innovation for regional and international publications. Prior to his position at KU, Dr. Griffiths was Vice President for Research and Associate Provost at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. Dr. Griffiths transitioned to the Masdar Institute from his role as Executive Director of the Technology and Development Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which is a position he undertook while simultaneously serving as the Founding Executive Vice President and Chief Technologist of Light Pharma Incorporated.
Dr. Griffiths holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Education
- PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- MBA, Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- BSc, Bucknell University
Keynote II: Monday, February 12, 2024, 11:00 – 11:40 am
Keynote III: Monday, February 12, 2024, 11:40 – 12:20 pm
Keynote IV: Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:20 – 1:00 pm
Dr. Khaled Mahdi, PhD, PMP, CEng
Secretary-General of The Supreme Council for Planning and Development
Kuwait
Khaled is the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development in Kuwait and the program director of the Country Plan Action Program of UNDP in Kuwait. He is a member in several government boards and high-level committees, such as the Public Authority for Industries, and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Researches, Public Housing Authority, the Economic and Fiscal Reform, and Kuwait Masterplan 2040 and many others.
Khaled is a graduate of University of Toronto and holds PhD degree from Northwestern University both in Chemical Engineering, besides being a Certified Consultant Engineer CEng, Project Management Professional PMP and PRINCE2 as well as a certified GCC Arbitrator. He is a member in several local and international organizations.
Khaled was an Associate Professor in the College of Engineering and Petroleum at Kuwait University where he taught 30 different engineering and management courses, received the best teaching award, co-authored more than 65 publications in different fields and cofounded SYNERGY, complex system research group.
Khaled serves as an Advisor for Kuwait University strategic office and the Minister of Planning and Development Affairs office. He engaged in training of more than 1300 professionals and engineers. He sits in several local and regional corporate boards.
Education:
- Northwestern University – PhD, Chemical Engineering, 1998 – 2000
- Illinois Institute of Technology, MS, Chemical Engineering, 1995 – 1995
- University of Toronto, BASc, Chemical Engineering 1991 – 1993
- University of Ottawa, Pre-Science and Engineering, 1988 – 1989
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Keynote V: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 9:40 – 10:20 am
Keynote VI: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 10:20 – 11:00 am
Dr. Farouk Yalaoui
Senior Director (Vice President) for Research
Full Professor
University of Technology of Troyes (UTT)
Troyes, France
Professor Farouk YALAOUI is currently a full Professor at Troyes University of Technology (UTT), France, where he is the Senior Director for Research of UTT. He is also scientific director of Industrial Chair “Connected Innovation” of UTT since 2016. He is the former director of LOSI Lab. (Logistiques et Optimisation des systèmes Industriels) of UTT and and former director of Services and Industries of The future of Troyes Institute (ISIFT).
He obtained his Engineering degree in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnics School of Algiers (Algeria) in 1995, his master’s degree in Industrial System Engineering from Polytechnics Institute of Lorraine (Nancy, France) in 1997, his Ph.D. degree in Production Management from the Troyes University of Technology (UTT) in 2000 and followed by a Habilitation à diriger les recherches (Dr. Hab) from Compiegne University of Technology (UTC) in 2006. His research topic focuses on the scheduling problems, system design, operations research, modeling, analysis and optimization of logistic and production systems, reliability and maintenance optimization and on optimization problems in general. He supervised or co-supervised 29 Ph.D thesis and more than 82 projects since 2001. He is founder and partner of OPTA LP SAS company since 2013.
He is author or co-author of a pattern and more than 520 contributions, publications or communications with 1 patent; 3 books (Ellipses, Hermes-Lavoisier, Willey and Sons), 6 edited books (Springer), 16 book chapters and 102 papers in journals such as IIE Transactions, European Journal of Operational research, International Journal of Production Economics, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Computer & Operations research, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing. He also published more than 320 papers in conference proceedings. He had presented 60 invited speeches (seminaries or conferences plenary sessions). He was invited by different universities (11) more than 20 times.
He is member of editor board of the book series “Automation and Control – Industrial Engineering”, ISTE Wiley, London, since 2014. He served or serves as editor to 20 International journal Boards: Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (EAAI, Elsevier, IF. 6,212, 2022), The Scientific World Journal as part of the journal’s Operations Research subject area (TSWJ), International journal of Supply and Operations Management (IJSOM), British Journal of Mathematics &computer Science (BJMCS), Journal of Risk Analysis and Crises Response (JRACR), Journal., American Journal of Operations Research (AJOR), Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM), Advances in Computer Science and Engineering (ACSE), Modeling and Simulation in Engineering (MSE), Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AAI), International Journal of Applied Logistics (IJAL). He served as guest editor for Journal special issue (Journal of Multiple Valued Logic and Soft Computing, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing). He is reviewer for more than 36 international journals.
He is founder and member of steering committee of IWOLIA (since 2010) SHEIC (since 2019) and member IESM-MOSIM Steering Committee, since 2019, Membre IFAC/MIM Steering Committee, since 2021. He is advisory Committees/Organizing Committees members of 36 conferences. He is also member of several international conference committees (about 154 conferences) as (INCOM2021, IFAC WC 2020, IEEE ICALT’2019, INCOM 2018, ICINCO 2017, ACIIDS 2017, IEEE SSCI 2016, MIM 2016, INCOM2015, IESM 2015, MIC’2015, SSEMO-WCCI 2014, IEEE-CIPLS 2014, FLINS’14, IEEE-CIPLS 2013, CIIA’2013, EMO13, MIM 2013, CoDIT 2013, ICSENT’2012, IEEM 2012,), member more than 25 organization committees of conferences and general Chair of IFAC MIM 2016. He organized and or Chair more than 115 tracks or sessions in conference.
He is Vice Chair of IFAC (International federation of Automation and Control) TC group 5.2. He is Chair of a Working Group on multiobjective optimization. He is member of IFAC TC group 5.1. He is member of French Universities National Council (CNU) field Automation, Control, Industrial Engineering (section 61). He is member and expert for French ANR agency, and for different agency such French AERES Agency, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Algerian PNR program.
He is member of Algerian Academy of Science and Technology (AAST) since 2015. He obtained of Annual Award 20117 of the IFAC French National Member Organization (NMO).
Keynote VII:Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 11:00 – 11:40 am
Prof. Mohammed Omar
Department Chair, Department of Management Science and Engineering
Director, Center for Digital Supply Chain and Operations Management
Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Mohammed Omar is a Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Khalifa University since 2012. Prior to joining KU he served as a graduate coordinator, and a founding faculty member of the Clemson University, CUICAR technology park, and the automotive engineering programs.
Dr. Omar’s research interest is in the areas of production systems, eco-material selection and design, and sustainable manufacturing. Additionally, Dr. Omar publishes on Engineering education and the future of work in the digital economy. He currently serves as the Director of the Digital Supply Chain and Operations Management Center, and he did serve as the director of the iSmart research center, and as a founding member of the US DoE GATE center as well.
His research is published in more than 180 journal manuscripts, textbooks, and four US and international patents. His research group graduated 11 PhD dissertations, six are in academic professorial ranks. His research was awarded the SAE Foundation Manufacturing Award, the Murray Stokely Excellence Award, the SME Richard L. Kegg Manufacturing Award, among others. He is currently the editor-in-chief for the Journal of Material Science Research, and an associate editor for the Springer (Nature) Journal of Soft Computing.
Keynote VIII: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 11:40 am – 12:20 pm
ADNOC Keynote
Keynote VIII: Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 12:20 – 1:00 pm
Wednesday, February 14 , 2024
Keynote IX: Wednesday, February 14 , 2024, 9:40 – 10:20 am

Dr. Oliver Elbracht
Managing Director Siemens Advanta Middle East
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
As the Managing Partner for Siemens Advanta Middle East, Dr. Oliver Elbracht has a strong background in digital and business transformation. During the course of his career, he gained deep consulting experience in business strategy & development, AI, Predictive Analytics, BDAA, digital transformation (tech & business), innovation, IT system design, e-commerce, sales & distribution, cybersecurity, greenfield operations. Through his research in computational physics, he has mastered a broad set of computer science knowledge & techniques including machine learning & algorithms, statistical models, and coding languages. Further, he has developed broad experience along the value chain in Telecommunication & Technology, IT, Infrastructure & Transportation, Government/Public Services, Automotive and Financial Services. He has been working in 15+ countries through international engagements in Europe (e.g. Germany, Austria, Sweden, Turkey), Middle East (e.g. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar) and Asia (e.g. Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan).
Keynote X: Wednesday, February 14 , 2024, 10:20 – 11:00 am
Dr. Muthu Mathirajan
Chief Research Scientist
Department of Management Studies
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India
National President of Operational Research Society of India, 2023-2024
Associate Editor of OPSEARCH–A Flagship research platform of ORSI
Dr Mathirajan is working at the Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore since April 1986 with various academic/faculty-positions. Currently he is a Chief Research Scientist & Professor at IISc. He received M.S. (Engineering) degree by research in Applied Operations Research area and PhD degree in Operations Management area from the Faculty of Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. In addition he holds a M.Sc degree in Mathematics of Madurai Kamaraj University and Post Graduate Diploma in Operations Research (OR) of Anna University, Chennai.
Between May 2008 and May 2010, Dr Mathirajan was with Anna University of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, on deputation, and he was the Professor of Planning and Development at the University level and he was also the Professor and Head of the Department of Management Studies of the Anna University of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.
Dr Mathirajan was a post doctoral fellow at Singapore MIT Alliance (SMA) of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He was also a visiting consultant at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), OMAN. Dr Mathirajan was selected and nominated as young Indian-representative of Operational Research Society of India (ORSI) to present a paper in the 1999 Fall Annual Conference of ORSJ, TOKYO, JAPAN.
Dr M. Mathirajan is the Associate Editor of OPSEARCH, A Falgship Journal of Operational Research Society of India (ORSI) and published by SPRINGER. The Operational Research Society of India (ORSI) awarded the Fellowship of ORSI (FORSI) to Dr. M. Mathirajan, based on the assessment by the standing committee on the merit of the contributions towards the promotion & development of Operational Research (OR), carried out by him, and approved by the National Central Council of ORSI.
He is recently elected as the National President of Central Council of Operational Research Society of India (ORSI) for two years (2023-2024). Before that he was elected as one of the National President of ORSI for two years (2021-2022) and was elected as one of the National Central Council Member ORSI for two years (2019-2020). He is also one of the National Vice President of Central Council of Analytics Society of India ASI), since inception (2012).
He was an academic council member and member in board of studies of various Engineering Colleges and Management Studies Department in Tamilnadu and Karnataka. Currently he is an academic council member of RV College of engineering, Bangalore; Atria Institute of Technology, Bangalore CMR University, Bangalore; and Sakthi Institute of Information and Management Studies, Pollachi. He is also currently a member in board of studies/research at Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore; Satyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai; Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Bangalore; and Department of Management Studies – Tumkur University, Karnataka.
Dr Mathirajan’s PhD thesis was adjudged as best thesis for “M. N. Gopalan Award of 2002-Annual Convention of ORSI”. Dr Mathirajan’s research interests are in the development of mathematical modelling and heuristic methods for the problems related to Industrial Engineering, Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management in Manufacturing, Service, Container Terminal Management areas and Research Methodology. He has published over 200 research articles. He is a co-author of 2 books [published by Person, and PHI] and co-author of 4 edited volumes [published by CRC Press USA; Springer India; and IK Publication, New Delhi; Allied Publishers]
He has guided a number of graduate and post graduate projects. So far 13 dissertations were awarded PhD degree under his guidance in IISc, Bangalore. Currently he has been guiding 8 doctoral research students at IISc; and he has examined about 60 PhD theses from various higher learning Institutes (such as Victoria Universitiy Australia, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Malaysia, IITs, IIM, NITs) and Universities (such as Anna University, Gandhigram Rural University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Bharathiar University, Delhi University, Dr. MGR University, Pandichery University).
Keynote XI: Wednesday, February 14 , 2024, 11:00 – 11:40 am
Dr. Salah Benabdallah
Full Professor in the field of business informatics
Tunis Business School
University of Tunis
Tunisia
Salah Benabdallah is a Full Professor in the field of business informatics at Tunis Business School, University of Tunis. His illustrious academic journey began at Purdue University, where he earned both his PhD and master’s degrees, equipping him with the knowledge and expertise that would later define his career. He completed his undergraduate studies at Ohio State University, further solidifying his educational foundation.
Prof. Benabdallah’s commitment to academia and his visionary leadership qualities became evident as he assumed the role of the Founding Dean of Tunis Business School at University of Tunis for an impressive seven years. During his tenure, he ensured that the school adhered to the USA approach to higher education, thereby providing students with a globally recognized and competitive educational experience. This achievement marked a significant milestone, establishing Tunis Business School as one of the top schools in Tunisia. It is the only business institution in Tunisia using English as the language of instruction and following the US higher education model.
Beyond his role as an academician, Salah Benabdallah contributed his expertise to Tunisia’s digital landscape, serving at the National Digital Certification Agency (ANCE). His desire to bridge the gap between academia and industry led him to the School of Engineering and Communication in Tunisia, where he imparted his vast industrial knowledge to students while also engaging in the development of research and development projects.
Furthermore, Salah Benabdallah served as the Director of the Institute of Technology in Communication of Tunisia, demonstrating his diverse skill set in the technology and communication sector. He also served as the Executive Director of IRSIT, a prominent R&D center in computer science. Under his leadership, IRSIT evolved into an IT company, and Salah proudly assumed the role of Founder and CEO, cementing his entrepreneurial legacy.
Dr. Benabdallah’s career commenced as an Assistant Professor at Purdue University, where he enhanced his research interests in decision support systems, computer simulation, modeling, egovernment, and e-services. His reputation as a dedicated researcher and educator led to his appointment as the Principal Investigator for several IT projects, underscoring his substantial contributions to the field.
Salah Benabdallah’s influence extended far beyond the classroom, as he actively participated in various committees at both the national and international levels. His multifaceted career, marked by leadership, education, research, and entrepreneurship, continues to inspire and shape the worlds of academia and technology.
Keynote X: Wednesday, February 14 , 2024, 11:40 am – 12:20 pm
Dr. Albertus Retnanto, Ph.D.
Program Chair Petroleum Engineering
Texas A&M University at Qatar
Keynote Title: Building Communication Strengths and Skills for Non-native English-Speaking Engineering Students
Dr. Albertus Retnanto is a Program Chair and Professor of the Practice of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University at Qatar and has been in the Petroleum Engineering program since 2009. He received his Ph.D. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. He held a Principal position with Schlumberger and has more than 18 years of experience worldwide in technical and management positions in well testing, field development, and production enhancement. He served as SPE Drilling & Completion journal review chairman, SPE Cedric K. Ferguson Medal Award committee member, SPE Drilling and Completion Advisory committee, and SPE advanced technology workshops. He received the A Peer Apart SPE Award, which is dedicated to the technical excellence of authors to the industry. He received the Associate of Former Student of Texas A&M University College-level Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching and SPE Middle East and North Africa Regional Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty.
Keynote XII: Wednesday, February 14 , 2024,, 12:20 – 1:00 pm
DAVE HARRY, a.k.a. “The Process Whisperer®”
Retired U.S. Naval Aviator
CEO of Process Whisperer® Consultants LLC, Greeneville, Tennessee, USA
ASQ certified Six Sigma Black Belt and A PMI certified PMP®
Dave is a retired U.S. Naval aviator and currently CEO of Process Whisperer® Consultants LLC. He teaches LSS classes for TMG Inc of Newport News, VA. Prior to TMG, Dave was a Six Sigma and Productivity Consultant for the University of TN Center for Industrial Services. Dave is a “Kata Geek” and also an ASQ certified Six Sigma Black Belt. He is active in ASQ Sections and the ASQ Lean Enterprise Division Communications. In addition to ASQ, he also holds Black Belt Certification through Rolls-Royce and Northrop Grumman. He is a seasoned ASQ International Team Excellence Awards (ITEA) Judge. Dave is also currently on the Lean Division Board with the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). Dave is on the Conference Advisory Committee for ASQs 2019 L&SS Conference in Phoenix as well as the Conference Committee for the IISE Engineering 2018 Lean Six Sigma Conference in Atlanta. A PMI certified PMP®, Dave also holds Lean Bronze Certification (LBC) through the SME/ASQ/AME/Shingo Institute Alliance and he holds three Master’s Degrees in management related fields. In addition to ASQ, PMI and IISE, Dave is also a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME) and the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). Dave lives in Greeneville TN.
Dr. Tony Prensa, PhD, MBA, PMP, CB-PMO, CCP, ITIL, 6σ
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
TP Global Business Consulting, LLC
Orlando, Florida, USA
Dr. Prensa is a highly accomplished executive and leader of project management office (PMO), project/portfolio management, information systems and technologies, combines a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with a major in Information Systems and Technologies, Certified PMO Professional, Authorized PMO Instructor, Certified Project Management (PMP), and ITILIV certification with extensive experience managing and overseeing large information systems projects/programs, strategic planning, and seamless IT implementations. Adept at reengineering business processes, change management and IT infrastructure with business visions to drive profitability, efficiency, and growth within the organization. Proficient at ensuring all processes comply with regulatory requirements and IT governance practices. Excellent communicator with strong influencing and problem-solving skills. Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to lead team members and external business contacts including stakeholders such as consultants, partners and vendors. Demonstrated track record of delivery of multiple technical and business projects on time and within budget. Experience in full-lifecycle project management methodologies and tools. Dr. Prensa has been involved with the Project Management Institute for more than twenty-five years. He served a vice president of PMI Puerto Rico Chapter from 1998-2000. He also volunteered in many activities to promote project management and participated of writing PMP exam questions workshop in Dallas, Texas in 2002. Dr. Prensa has helped hundreds of project management professionals to get prepared for the PMP exam. Dr. Prensa has taught project management for several universities in the country, including Virginia Technical University, Grand Canyon University, Colorado Technical University, University of Phoenix and currently teaching for Walden University. With more than 25 years of teaching experience in various formats, face-to-face and virtual. Dr. Prensa has developed techniques to connect with learners and students in the most efficient way. Dr. Prensa has extraordinary people skills, he always puts people first.
Past Keynotes
- IEOM 2010 – Dhaka
- IEOM 2011 – Kuala Lumpur
- IEOM 2012 – Istanbul
- IEOM 2014 – Bali
- IEOM 2015 – Dubai
- IEOM 2015 – Orlando
- IEOM 2016 – Kuala Lumpur
- IEOM 2016 – Detroit
- IEOM 2017 – Rabat, Morocco
- IEOM 2017 – Bristol, UK
- IEOM 2017 – Bogota, Colombia
- IEOM 2018 – Bandung
- IEOM 2018 – Paris
- IEOM 2018 – Washington DC
- IEOM 2018 – Pretoria
- IEOM 2019 – Bangkok
- IEOM 2019 – Pilsen
- IEOM 2019 – Toronto
- IEOM 2019 – Riyadh
- IEOM 2020 – Dubai