Dubai Urban Elements Design Challenge Jury

Shaikha AlShaikh, Roads & Transport Authority
Salma Al Shamsi, RTA Dubai
Sirine Kalache, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority
Varkki George Pallathucheril, American University of Sharjah

Shaikha AlShaikh is a civil engineer with more than 10 years of experience in the Government and Private Sector in Project Design & Construction Management for Mega Projects. She oversaw project planning, feasibility, budgeting and nancing for projects worth AED 30 Billion. She's a PhD Candidate, and holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management. She started her career in consultancy, working on diverse water and infrastructure projects that range from master planning to detailed design and execution in the UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Mauritius and Libya as a civil engineer and project manager. She now works in the Roads & Transport Authority, and manages numerous teams driving key strategic projects to enhance the quality of life in the Emirate of Dubai.

Salma Al Shamsi is an accomplished Emirati architect and urban strategist with over 18 years of experience in public sector infrastructure and landscape development. She currently serves as the Roads Landscaping Manager at RTA Dubai, where she leads high-profile urban and road beautification projects, including the Infinity Bridge and Dubai Water Canal. Salma holds a Master’s degree in City Science from RIT Dubai and a Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering from UAE University. A certified project manager and organizational leader, she is a board member of the UAE CSR Association and an active contributor to various urban and heritage planning societies. Her work is grounded in strategic planning, quality management, and urban transformation.

Sirine Kalache is a seasoned Urban Planner and Project Manager with over 20 years of experience across the UAE, Lebanon, and Canada. Currently a Chief Specialist at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, she leads sustainable urban and mobility initiatives. With a Master’s in Planning from the University of Toronto and a background in architecture, Sirine has delivered major projects like the Desert Rose Smart City and Business Bay Peninsula. She is fluent in Arabic, English, and French, and is passionate about people-centric and sustainable urban design.

Varkki George Pallathucheril is a distinguished academic and urban planning expert with over three decades of experience in teaching, research, and professional practice. He currently serves as Dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Design at the American University of Sharjah, where he has led numerous academic and planning initiatives since 2007. Holding a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University, Dr. Pallathucheril has held prominent academic positions at leading institutions, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research spans urban design methods, planning support systems, and spatial analysis, with extensive publications in renowned journals. He has also directed large-scale funded research and consulting projects in the U.S. and UAE, contributing significantly to regional planning, smart cities, and educational innovation.