Mohamed-Slim Alouini is the Al-Khwarizmi Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Education to Connect the Unconnected at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Born in Tunis, Tunisia, he earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1998 following a Masters of Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1995. His distinguished academic career began at the University of Minnesota from 1998 to 2004 before continuing at Texas A&M University at Qatar from 2004 to 2009. In 2009, he became a founding professor at KAUST, where he has since shaped the institution's electrical and computer engineering program and research direction.
Professor Alouini has developed sophisticated analytical and simulation tools for evaluating the performance of radio-frequency and optical wireless communication systems across diverse environments. His pioneering research on integrated space-air-ground networks has provided innovative solutions for connecting remote, rural, and hard-to-reach areas, significantly advancing the field of universal connectivity. He has made substantial contributions to the design and optimization of novel thrifty wireless networks that achieve digital inclusiveness for low-income neighborhoods and underserved communities worldwide. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, creating robust communication frameworks that address real-world connectivity challenges in resource-constrained environments.
As a Fellow of both IEEE and OPTICA, Professor Alouini has significantly influenced the global communications research community through his editorial leadership including serving as Founding Editor-in-Chief for the Nature Partnership Journal on Wireless Technologies. He has received numerous prestigious honors including the TWAS Award in Engineering Sciences (2022) and the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society James Evans Avant Garde Award (2020) for his transformative contributions to the field. Currently, he continues to address the technical challenges associated with uneven distribution of information and communication technologies, focusing on innovative solutions for rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas. Through his UNESCO Chair and leadership roles, Professor Alouini remains committed to bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to communication technologies for all populations globally.
