Ali Torabi Haghighi

Ali Torabi Haghighi is an Associate Professor and leader of the Hydrosystems Engineering & Management research group at the Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering Research Unit at the University of Oulu. He holds a Ph.D. in Water Resources & Geo-environmental Engineering from the University of Oulu, Finland (2010–2014).

Dr. Torabi Haghighi’s previous roles include serving as a visiting researcher at the University of California, Irvine, USA; manager of dam and irrigation projects; manager of dam rehabilitation; and expert in the stability, monitoring, and operation of dams at Fars Regional Water Authority, Shiraz, Iran (1998–2009). He also worked as a lecturer at Islamic Azad University, Estahban, Iran (2002–2009).

Since 2015, he has supervised 13 doctoral researcher, including 10 under his principal supervision. He has also supervised (or advised) 22 MSc (diploma) theses across multiple institutions in Finland, Iran and Italy.

Teaching has been a cornerstone of Dr. Torabi Haghighi’s career, motivated by his passion for merging academic theory with practical application. Over two decades, he has taught a wide range of subjects, beginning with 10 foundational engineering courses such as Principles of Dam Engineering, Hydrology, and Soil Mechanics at Azad University in Iran. Since transitioning to Finland in 2010, he has expanded his teaching portfolio to include 14 advanced topics such as River Engineering, Cold Climate Hydrology, and Integrated Water Resources Management at the University of Oulu. His teaching philosophy emphasizes student-centered, hands-on learning, informed by over 15 years of professional experience designing and managing hydraulic structures. His commitment to pedagogy is underscored by formal training in advanced teaching methods, including digital and multicultural education, as well as his ongoing efforts to connect students with industry, foster critical thinking, and prepare them to address global challenges in water resources management.