Executive Summary
Full Professor with over 22 years of distinguished experience in Computer Science, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Combinatorial Optimization. Currently holding dual appointments at the University of Sfax (Tunisia) and Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (Saudi Arabia), with recognition through Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency for exceptional professional contributions.
Research portfolio includes 24 international journal publications (featuring 2 lead articles in top-tier Q1 journals: EJOR and OMEGA), 27 conference papers, 1200+ citations, and an h-index of 13. Extensive leadership experience spanning academic administration (Vice Dean 2016-2020, Department Head 3x), industry consulting (FedEx-SMSA, TNOO, EcoMed), and international research collaborations.
Successfully supervised 7 Ph.D. and 11 M.Sc. students, secured SAR 130K+ in research funding, accumulated 8000+ teaching contact hours, and served on 9 Ph.D./Habilitation juries. Active in professional service with 70+ journal reviews, 20+ conference committees, and leadership in 23 academic committees across ministry, university, and college levels.
Education
Habilitation (Full Graduate Studies) in Computer Science
Title: "Towards a unified framework for the combinatorial optimization problems"
Ph.D. in Computer Science
Dissertation: "Heuristics for the selective vehicle routing problem"
Supervisors: Prof. Frédéric Semet and Prof. Habib Chabchoub
M.Sc. in Computer Science
Thesis: "The multicolored Travelling Salesman Problem"
Supervisors: Prof. Frédéric Semet, Prof. Gilbert Laporte and Dr. Roberto Wolfer Calvo
B.Sc. (Maîtrise) in Computer Science
Rank: 2nd among 60 students
Professional Experience
Full Professor
Full Professor of Computer Science at Department of Mathematics and Business Intelligence, College of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering (currently on leave based in Saudi Arabia).
Distinction: Holder of Saudi Arabia Premium Residency (2025) - awarded by the Saudi Arabian government to exceptional professionals in recognition of outstanding contributions and expertise in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor at Department of Computer Science, College of Computer Engineering and Sciences. Teaching AI, optimization, and advanced computing courses.
Associate Professor
Associate Professor of Computer Science at Department of Mathematics and Business Intelligence, College of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering.
- Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in AI, optimization, and programming (8000+ contact hours)
- Supervised 7 Ph.D. students (6 completed, 1 ongoing) and 11 M.Sc. students (all completed)
- Published 21 journal articles in top-tier venues (including 2 lead articles in EJOR and OMEGA - Q1 journals)
- Led research projects funded by Saudi and Tunisian agencies (total funding: SAR 130K+ ≈ $35K)
- Served as Vice Dean (2016-2020) and Department Head (2018-2019)
Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Department of Mathematics and Business Intelligence, College of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering.
- Teaching courses in algorithms, data structures, optimization, and AI
- Conducting research in combinatorial optimization and metaheuristics
- Published research in top-tier journals including EJOR and OMEGA
- Teaching courses in algorithms, data structures, and optimization
- Conducting research in combinatorial optimization and metaheuristics
Senior Research Fellow
Working on AI and combinatorial optimization applications in cloud computing, logistics, and healthcare.
Co-Founder and Technical Support
Filloop.com | 2022 - Present
Technology startup operating a cloud-based ride-sourcing platform utilizing advanced algorithms and optimization techniques.
Operations and Logistics Consultant
FedEx-SMSA Express Transportation Co. Ltd, Saudi Arabia | 2013 - 2019
Designed optimization software for transportation and logistics for remote cities managed by FedEx-SMSA Express Transportation Co. Ltd.
Optimization Consultant
TNOO - Tunisian National Oil Office, Sfax, Tunisia | 2012 - 2014
Consultant and designer of an optimization software for olive oil collection using multi-compartment vehicles.
Logistics Consultant
EcoMed Company, Tunisia | 2011 - 2013
Consultant and designer of an optimization software for collection and treatment of medical and biological waste.
Optimization Software Designer
CHAHIA - Tunisian Company of Poultry Farming, Sfax, Tunisia | 2005 - 2007
Designer of an optimization software for poultry distribution using heterogeneous fleet of vehicles.
Lecturer
Faculty of Sciences, Universities of Gabes & Sfax, Tunisia | Sep. 2003 - Jun. 2009
Lecturer of Computer Science at Department of Computer Science, teaching undergraduate courses in programming, algorithms, and operating systems.
Senior/Junior Research Fellow
Research Fellow in AI and Combinatorial Optimization, focusing on vehicle routing problems, metaheuristics, and optimization algorithms
Junior Research Fellow
Deanship of Scientific Research, PSAU, KSA | Dec. 2025 (12 months)
Ref: 2025/01/36958
Fund: SAR 30K (≈ $8K)
PI: Mahdi Khemakhem
Industry 4.0-Driven Learning for Optimized UVTs Allocation and Scheduling
Deanship of Scientific Research, PSAU, KSA | Jan. 2022 (12 months)
Ref: 2022/01/19335
Fund: SAR 30K (≈ $8K)
PI: Mahdi Khemakhem
Optimal Dynamic Aviation for Intelligent UAVs in Crowded Events: Hajj Context
Saudi Ministry of Education, KSA | Dec. 2020 (12 months)
Ref: MoE-IF-G-20-8
Fund: SAR 70K (≈ $19K)
PI: Mahdi Khemakhem
Project: Optimal Dynamic Aviation for Intelligent, Correlative, and Multiple Task UAVs in Crowded Events
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
École Centrale de Lille (ECL), France | May 2013 (1 month)
Ref: SSHN 784291L
Fund: €2K
Research: Collaborative research in combinatorial optimization and metaheuristics
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Ref: SSHN 719416A
Fund: €2K
Research: Collaborative research in vehicle routing problemsip
École Centrale de Lille (ECL), France | May 2013 (1 month)
Ref: SSHN 784291L
Fund: €2K
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
University of Valenciennes and Hainaut-Cambrésis (UVHC), France | Jun. 2011 (1 month)
Ref: SSHN 719416A
Fund: €2K
Skills
Programming Languages
- Python (Expert)
- Java (Expert)
- C/C++ (Expert)
- MATLAB
Optimization Tools
- IBM-ILOG-CPLEX
- GUROBI
- Linear Programming
- Metaheuristics Design
Saudi Arabia Premium Residency (2025)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Awarded by the Saudi Arabian government to exceptional professionals in recognition of outstanding contributions and expertise in the field of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. This prestigious residency is granted to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and significant impact in their respective fields.
Best Student Paper Award (2011)
IEEE LOGISTIQUA'11, Hammamet, Tunisia
Co-authored paper "Design factors analysis for instances of rich vehicle routing problem" received the Best Student Paper Award at the 4th IEEE International Conference on Logistics.
Academic Excellence Award (2002)
University of Sfax, Tunisia
Ranked 2nd among 60 students in the Bachelor of Computer Science program at the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax.
Languages
- Arabic (Native)
- French (Fluent - 95%)
- English (Upper Intermediate - 80%)
Awards & Honors
- Saudi Arabia Premium Residency - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2025
- Research Grant (SAR 70K) - Saudi Ministry of Education, 2020
- Research Grant (SAR 30K) - Deanship of Scientific Research, PSAU, 2022
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship - École Centrale de Lille, France, 2013
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship - UPHF, France, 2011
- Best Student Paper Award - IEEE LOGISTIQUA'11, 2011
- 2nd Rank in B.Sc. - University of Sfax, 2002
Professional Service & Academic Activities
Graduate Supervision
- Ph.D. Thesis Supervision: 7 students (1 ongoing, 6 completed)
- M.Sc. Thesis Supervision: 11 students (all completed)
Ph.D. Jury Participation
7 Ph.D. defense juries (2019-2023) served as reviewer for doctoral dissertations in Computer Science, focusing on:
- Social Internet of Things and Trust Management Systems
- Cloud Computing and Workflow Scheduling
- NoSQL Databases and Embedded Systems
- Semantic Reasoning and Knowledge Management
- Parallel Metaheuristics and GPU Computing
Habilitation (HDR) Jury Participation
2 Habilitation defense juries (2018-2022) served as reviewer/examiner for:
- Multi-agent Systems and Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization
- Model-Based Testing of Real-Time Systems
Journal Reviewer (70+ reviews)
- European Journal of Operational Research (EJOR) - Q1
- Computers & Operations Research (COR) - Q1
- Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (EAAI) - Q1
- Expert Systems with Applications (ESWA) - Q1
- The Journal of Supercomputing - Q2
- IEEE Access - Q2
- IEEE Transactions on Computers - Q2
- International Transactions in Operational Research - Q2
- Optimization Methods and Software - Q1
- And many other Q1/Q2 journals
Conference Session Chair (5 conferences)
- IMCIC'22 - Session: Smart Systems for Fighting The COVID'19 Pandemic - Orlando, Florida, USA
- TORS'19 - Session: Optimization for modern networked environments - Sousse, Tunisia
- MOSIM'12 - Session: Optimisation et aide à la décision des systèmes de transport - Bordeaux, France
- META'12 - Session: Metaheuristics for routing and scheduling - Port El-Kantaoui, Tunisia
- MOSIM'10 - Session: Modeling, simulation and optimization in transportation systems - Hammamet, Tunisia
Conference Organization & Technical Program Committees (20 conferences)
- ICAART'26 - Program Committee Member - 18th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence (Marbella, Spain, March 5-8, 2026)
- ISAECT'22, ISAECT'21, ISAECT'20, ISAECT'19 - Member of TPC - International Symposium on Advanced Electrical and Communication Technologies
- TORS'15 - Organization Committee - Tunisian Operational Research Society Annual Conference
- ICALT'14, ICALT'13 - TPC & Organization Committee - IEEE International Conference on Advanced Logistics and Transport
- ROAD'13, ROAD'12 - Organization Committee (Chair for ROAD'12) - National Workshop on Operational Research
- LOGISTIQUA'11 - TPC Member - IEEE International Conference on Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- MOPGP'10 - TPC & Organization Committee - International Conference on Multiple Objective Programming
- MAJECSTIC'12 - TPC Member - Conference for Young Researchers in ICT
- MOSIM'12, MOSIM'10 - TPC Member - International Conference on Modeling and Simulation
Administrative Service
- College/Department Service: 20+ roles
- University Service: 1 role
- Ministry Service: 2 roles
Community Services & Professional Memberships
Professional Memberships
- INSTICC - Institute for Systems and Technologies of Information, Control and Communication (2023 - Present)
- ATIA - Tunisian Association for Artificial Intelligence, Member (2022 - Present)
- IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Member (2012 - Present)
- TORS - Tunisian Operational Research Society, Member (2012 - Present), Treasurer (2012 - 2015)
- ATID - Tunisian Association of Business Intelligence, Constituent Member (2012 - Present)
Civic Engagement
- ISIE - Tunisian High Independent Authority for Elections (2011)
- Election observers training
- Qualified trainer for election observers (National Democratic Institute)
- Volunteer trainer of election observers
- President of a polling station the day of elections of the Constituent Assembly in Tunisia (Oct. 23, 2011)
Research Metrics & Impact
Publications
- 21 International Journal Articles
- 27 International Conference Papers
- 2 Lead Articles in Q1 Journals (EJOR, OMEGA)
- 51+ Total Publications
Citations & Impact
- 1200+ Total Citations
- h-index: 13
- RI Score: 631.0
- 22+ Years Active Research Career
Student Supervision
- 7 Ph.D. Thesis Supervised (6 completed, 1 ongoing)
- 11 M.Sc. Thesis Supervised (all completed)
- 18 Total Graduate Students
Academic Service Summary
Leadership Roles
- 3x Department Head (SE Dept 2018-2019, IIT 2012-2015, FSG 2008-2009)
- 1x Vice Dean (CCES-PSAU 2016-2020)
- 10 Committee Chair positions
Scientific Service
- 70+ Journal Reviews (EJOR, COR, EAAI, ESWA, etc.)
- 20+ Conference Committees & Organization
- 5 Conference Session Chair
Jury Participation
- 7 Ph.D. Defense Juries (2019-2023)
- 2 Habilitation Defense Juries (2018-2022)
- 9 Total Jury Memberships
Committee Service
- 2 Ministry-Level Committees
- 1 University-Level Committee
- 20+ College/Department Committees
Research Profile Links
For detailed research metrics and publications, visit:
About Me
Driven by a deep passion for my profession — whether in teaching, research, or academic service — I continuously seek to enhance my scientific expertise through the active exchange and dissemination of knowledge. In doing so, I remain committed to fulfilling the core mission of a researcher: advancing scientific discovery, nurturing innovation, and strengthening the link between academia and the socio-economic environment. This commitment drives my research agenda and informs my teaching philosophy.
My research activities lie at the intersection of artificial intelligence and combinatorial optimization, with a particular focus on:
- Designing and implementing heuristics, metaheuristics, matheuristics, hyperheuristics, and exact algorithms to solve complex combinatorial optimization problems
- Hybridizing and enhancing traditional optimization methods using machine learning techniques
- Developing mathematical models to represent and analyze complex decision-making systems
- Supporting data-driven managerial decision-making in domains such as cloud computing, logistics and transportation, manufacturing and production, resource management, healthcare systems, etc.
The resulting research is both fundamental and applied, published in reputable scientific journals in the field of computer science.