Biography
Professor Mehdi Nazarinia is Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Principal: International Partnerships at Heriot-Watt University Dubai. He leads the strategic development and oversight of the University's international partnership portfolio, supporting academic excellence and sustainable growth across transnational education initiatives. He also serves as Senior Academic Director of Zhubanov University Programmes and Chair of the University Discipline Committee.
An experienced academic leader, Professor Nazarinia has held a range of senior leadership positions in academic quality, learning and teaching, and programme management. His academic expertise spans fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, renewable energy systems, engineering education, and international higher education.
Academic Leadership and Affiliations
- Associate Principal: International Partnerships, Heriot-Watt University
- Senior Academic Director of Zhubanov University Programmes
- Chair, University Discipline Committee (UDC)
- Associate Executive Dean (Academic Quality), School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Membership of professional bodies
FIMechE, CEng, FIEAust CPEng APEC Engineer IntPE(Aus), SFHEA, QAA Academic Integrity Network Member
Qualifications
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Monash University, 2010
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and learning (PG CAP), Heriot-Watt University, 2014
Research
Professor Nazarinia's research interests span fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, renewable energy systems, engineering education, and academic quality in higher education. His technical research has focused on experimental fluid dynamics, aerodynamic performance of transportation systems and aircraft components, wind turbine performance, and the development of sustainable energy technologies.
His work has contributed to advances in areas including wind energy, solar thermal systems, photovoltaic applications, building airflow and airtightness, and engineering design optimisation. He has extensive expertise in experimental measurement techniques, particularly Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), and has collaborated on projects addressing real-world engineering and sustainability challenges.
Alongside his engineering research, Professor Nazarinia has increasingly focused on academic quality enhancement, transnational education, student success, academic integrity, and international partnership development. Through his leadership roles at Heriot-Watt University and partner institutions, he has contributed to strengthening academic standards, quality assurance processes, and institutional collaboration across international higher education environments.
He has published extensively in leading engineering journals and conference proceedings and continues to support postgraduate research and scholarly activity across engineering and higher education practice.