[Academic Member of Civil]

Mahdi Eghbali

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Mahdi Eghbali
Associate professor
Email
eghbali[at]znu.ac.ir       mahdi.eghbali[at]gmail.com
URL
 http://www.znu.ac.ir/members/eghbali-mahdi
Tell
      +98 (0) 24 3305 4484
Fax
   +98 (0) 24 3228 3224
Address 
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Zanjan, P.O. Box. 45195-313, University Blvd., 45371-38791, Zanjan, I.R.Iran

 

                                                    Summary of Academic, Scientific-Research, Executive, and Professional Qualifications
                                                     Last Updated: September 2026

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

1.1. Personal Information

Full Name: MAHDI EGHBALI

  • Current Key Positions:

    - Academic Qualification: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Structural Engineering

    - Associate Professor in Structural and Earthquake Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Zanjan

    - Deputy Director General for Alumni Affairs, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT), Iran

Website: www.eghbali.info

1.2. Educational Background

  • Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Structural Engineering

Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), 2015

GPA: 18.00/20

Dissertation Title: Development of Fragility Curves Using Optimization of Dynamic Analysis Results

Research Area: Seismic Risk and Vulnerability of Structural Systems

Dissertation Grade: Excellent

Supervisor: Prof. Gholamreza Ghodrati Amiri

Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Morteza Raeisi Dehkordi

  • M.Sc. in Civil Engineering – Structural Engineering

Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), 2010

GPA: 17.01/20

Thesis Title: Investigation of Higher-Mode Effects in the Seismic Assessment of Steel Moment-Resisting Frame Systems Using IDA- and NSP-Based Methods

Research Area: Advanced Nonlinear Dynamic and Static Analysis Methods for Seismic Assessment of Structures

Thesis Grade: Excellent Outstanding Graduate

Supervisor: Prof. Gholamreza Ghodrati Amiri

Advisor: Prof. Saman Yaghmaei-Sabegh

  • B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

Urmia University, 2007

GPA: 17.29/20 Graduated in 7 academic semesters Ranked 1st among students of the same cohort and discipline Recognized as an Outstanding Undergraduate Student Completed reinforced concrete structures design under Prof. Saeed Tarivardilu-Asl Completed steel structures design under Prof. Hossein Shokati Shishvan Both projects received an Excellent evaluation

  • Pre-University Certificate – Mathematics and Physics

Bagherololoum State Model Pre-University Center, 2003

GPA: 18.99/20

  • High School Diploma – Mathematics and Physics

Ayatollah Malakouti State Model High School, 2002

GPA: 18.86/20

2. SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • First One-Year Young Governance Leaders Training Program, Shahid Beheshti School of Governance | Academic Year 2021–2022
    Successfully completed the First One-Year Young Governance Leaders Training Program, officially recognized by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Training covered 12 major areas of governance. Conducted research on:
    “Explaining the Position and Role of Government Regulation in Governance Based on the Experiences of Advanced Countries and the Specific Requirements and Needs of Iran.”
    Proposed the establishment of a Regulatory Governance Group.

3. HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Commended by the Director General for Alumni Affairs, MSRT, for effective legal and administrative contributions to the establishment, implementation, and development of the National Database of Academic Records and Credentials, covering the country's educational and research institutions and implemented under Article 10 of the National Data and Information Management Law, 2024.
  • Commended by the Deputy Minister of Science and President of the Student Affairs Organization for active participation in implementing the National Joint Academic Credential Verification System for the verification of academic credentials during the pre-registration process for the 12th Parliamentary Election, 2023.
  • Research Project Leader and member of the authorship team for two books entitled Natural Disasters and Ways to Reduce Their Effects, developed through applied research cooperation with the Organization for Development, Renovation and Equipping Schools (DRES) and officially unveiled in 2021. Certificate of Appreciation from the Deputy Minister of Education and President of DRES for contributions to the development of educational facilities in disadvantaged and less-developed areas, 2020.
  • Ranked 3rd among 739 national ideas and expert contributions in the first expert crowdsourcing initiative of the Secretariat of the Expediency Discernment Council, concerning participation in the development of policies for the Seventh National Development Plan, 2020.
  • Commended by DRES for technical and professional cooperation with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and for presenting Iran's achievements in seismic risk reduction of schools at international forums, 2017.
  • Contributed to technical leadership and international cooperation with UNISDR, supporting the presentation of Iran's achievements in seismic retrofitting and rehabilitation of schools, contributing to Iran's recognition with the 2017 UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction (First Place), 2017.
  • Research Project Manager for the Safe School Project within the Subsystem for the Provision of Educational Spaces, Equipment and Technology of the Fundamental Transformation Document of Education, 2014–2016.
  • Selected for a research and study program at the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER), University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), 2014.
  • Awarded an Excellent grade for both the M.Sc. thesis and Ph.D. dissertation, 2015. Supported by the National Elites Foundation under regulations for the selection of outstanding educational, research, and innovation graduates, 2013–Present.
  • Supported by the Office for Distinguished Talents, MSRT, 2013–Present. Selected as a Distinguished Talent by the High Council for Faculty Recruitment of MSRT, 2012 and 2013.
  • Member of the Office for Distinguished Talents, Iran University of Science and Technology, 2012–2015.
  • Commended at the Second National Conference on Crisis Management, 2012.
  • Commended at the First National Conference on Crisis Management: Earthquake and Vulnerability of Buildings and Lifelines, 2011.
  • Ranked within the Top 1% nationwide in the 2007 M.Sc. entrance examination in Civil Engineering. Graduated 1st in rank among same-cohort Civil Engineering students at Urmia University, completing the B.Sc. program in seven semesters, 2007.
  • Ranked within the Top 3% nationwide in the 2003 Mathematics and Physics university entrance examination.
  • Honored at the 16th Khwarizmi Festival (4th Young Khwarizmi Festival), 2002.
  • Ranked 1st in the regional public middle school entrance examination, 1996, and 2nd in the regional state model high school entrance examination, 1999.

4. ACADEMIC AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Associate Professor, Structural and Earthquake Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Zanjan, March 2025–Present
  • Assistant Professor, Structural and Earthquake Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Zanjan, September 2016–February 2025
  • Adjunct Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, September 2018–Present
  • Founder and Director, Structural Hybrid Simulation Research Laboratory, December 2019–Present
  • Research Collaborator, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, September 2012–Present
  • Instructor, Professional Qualification, License Renewal, and Professional Grade Advancement Courses in Civil Engineering, Iran Construction Engineering Organization, December 2021–Present
  • Instructor, Specialized Technical, Executive, and Professional Training Programs, December 2012–Present
  • Developed more than 150 hours of e-learning content on seismic retrofitting and rehabilitation of structures in cooperation with the private sector, December 2021–Present

5. RESEARCH, SPECIALIZED, AND PROFESSIONAL AREAS

5.1. Research Areas

  1. Advanced Technologies in Structural Design, Construction, and Retrofitting, including seismic energy absorption and dissipation systems
  2. Resilience of Critical Infrastructure and Communities, including schools, hospitals, bridges, networks, infrastructure systems, lifelines, and urban and rural communities
  3. Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Simulation in structural design and seismic retrofitting
  4. Development and Productivity Enhancement in the Steel Industry
  5. Integrated Modelling and Management in the Construction Industry

​5.2. Specialized and Professional Areas

  1. Higher Education Policy and Governance, particularly in the management of academic affairs and educational guidance for domestic and international higher education graduates
  2. Good Governance and Public Policy in construction, infrastructure management, and engineering
  3. Disaster Management and Resilience, including prevention, impact reduction, strategic planning, and decision-making
  4. Seismic Vulnerability Assessment and Retrofitting of structures and communities
  5. Application of Energy Dissipation Devices and Seismic Isolation Systems
  6. Performance-Based Optimal Structural Design

6. PROFESSIONAL AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

6.1. Executive Leadership, Technical, Consulting, and Management Experience

Senior Executive Leadership:

  • Deputy Director General for Alumni Affairs, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT), Iran, February 2022–Present
  • Senior executive responsibility for matters related to higher education graduates and academic credentials, including academic credential evaluation and verification, development of graduate-related services, inter-organizational coordination, and the advancement of national systems and processes related to academic records and credentials.
  • Secretary of Foreign Academic Credential Evaluation Commissions, MSRT, February 2022–Present
  • Representative of the General Directorate for Alumni Affairs in Contractual Affairs, MSRT, June 2023–Present
  • Evaluator and Member of the Specialized Commission for Foreign Academic Credential Evaluation, MSRT, August 2022–Present
  • Special Inspector of Student Recruitment Agencies, General Directorate of Scholarships and Student Dispatch, MSRT, August 2022–Present

Professional and Technical Experience:

  • Vice-Chair, Technical Committee for Building Environment Design (INSO/ISO/TC205), National Standards Organization of Iran, September 2022–September 2025
  • Scientific Advisor and Member, Publishing Council, Tehran Municipality, three terms, April 2022–Present
  • Reviewer and Member, Translation and Authorship Committee, Tehran Studies and Planning Center, three terms, April 2022–Present
  • Technical Representative, Tabriz–Urmia Freeway Company, and Member of the Technical Committee for Repair and Maintenance of the Lake Urmia Causeway Bridge, March 2020–September 2021
  • Research Project Leader, Development of the Guideline for Enhancing School Safety Against Natural Hazards and Disasters, September 2018–May 2023
  • Researcher, Safe School Against Natural Hazards, Organization for Development, Renovation and Equipping Schools (DRES), March 2018–March 2024
  • Municipal Infrastructure Advisor, March 2018–March 2019
  • Secretary and Core Member, Policy-Making and Steering Council for Seismic Retrofitting and Advanced Construction Technologies in Schools, DRES, February 2018–February 2022
  • Technical and Specialized Consultant, School Seismic Retrofitting Studies and Technical Consultants, DRES, December 2016–March 2019
  • Research Project Manager, Safe School Project within the Fundamental Transformation Document of Education, December 2015–March 2017
  • National Coordinator, Global School Safety Program of the Islamic Republic of Iran in cooperation with UNISDR/UNDRR, 2014–2016
  • Secretary of the Executive Board and Core Member, National Safe School Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran, appointed by the Minister of Education, March 2015–March 2017
  • Grade 2 Licensed Civil Engineer – Design, Supervision, and Construction, Tehran Construction Engineering Organization, May 2013–Present
  • Technical Coordinator, Contributor, and International Cooperation Consultant, DRES, in cooperation with UNHCR, UNISDR, and UN-Habitat on school seismic retrofitting, 2012–2016
  • Technical and Specialized Expert, Seismic Retrofitting Unit, DRES, 2012–2016
  • Technical Expert, Studies and Technical Consultants Department, DRES; supervision and evaluation of 10 national laboratory research projects, 2012–2019
  • Consultant, Publication No. 398, Management and Planning Organization of Iran, concerning seismic retrofitting of school buildings, 2012–2015 Senior Expert, National School Seismic Retrofitting Program Management, 2008–2012
  • Researcher, Applied and practical methods for seismic retrofitting and rehabilitation of educational buildings, July 2008–Present
  • Project Controller, Seismic Vulnerability Assessment Projects for Existing Buildings, July 2008–Present

6.2. Membership in Scientific Bodies, Councils, Committees, and Official Working Groups

  • Member, Specialized Working Group for Higher Education Planning in Civil Engineering, MSRT, August 2026–Present
  • Member, Center for Natural Hazards Studies, Iran University of Science and Technology, September 2024–Present
  • Jury Member, Second National Soraya Award Festival, MSRT, March 2024
  • Jury Member, Research Section, National Distinguished Student Festival, MSRT, 2022–2023
  • Member, Working Group for Academic, Educational, and Cultural Qualification Assessment of International Scholarship Applicants for Iranian Universities, MSRT, December 2022–December 2023
  • Member, Working Group for Evaluation of Persian Language Education Centers for Non-Persian Speakers (AZFA), MSRT, December 2022–December 2023
  • Member and Representative, Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group, General Directorate for Alumni Affairs, MSRT, April 2022–Present
  • Member, Specialized Committee of the General Directorate of Scholarships and Student Dispatch, MSRT, April 2022–August 2024
  • Active Contributor to Engineering, Professional, and Associations and Organizations, Iran Construction Engineering Organization, August 2021–Present
  • Member, Committee for the Guideline for the Design of Structures Equipped with Seismic Isolation and Energy Dissipation Systems, Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, August 2020–Present
  • Member, Provincial Higher Education Monitoring and Evaluation Board, University of Zanjan, 2018
  • Member, ISO/TC59 – Buildings and Civil Engineering Works, National Standards Organization of Iran, March 2017–Present
  • Member, ISO/TC205 – Building Environment Design, National Standards Organization of Iran, March 2018–Present
  • Member, Working Group for preparation of the report on the contribution of Iranian school donors to the provision of safe educational facilities for international presentation, 2016–2017
  • Member, Technical Working Group on Safe Schools of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2014–2016

7. RESULTS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND SELECTED ACTIVITIES

7.1. Scientific and Research Achievements

  • Books: 3 (1 research-based book, 1 specialized book & 1 book chapter published by Elsevier)
  • International Technical Reports: 2, prepared in collaboration with or presented through EERI and UNISDR
  • ISI–JCR Journal Articles: 25 (19 Q1-SJR, 2 Q2-SJR, 3 Q3-SJR & 1 Q4-SJR)
  • ISC-Indexed Research Articles: 13
  • National and International Review Articles: 3
  • National and International Conference Papers: 53
  • Organized 2 specialized workshops
  • Contributed to equipping 2 research laboratories
  • Founder and Director of 1 research laboratory
  • Supervised and evaluated 10 national laboratory and applied research projects involving major universities and research centers
  • Scientific and professional collaboration with recognized national and international institutions and organizations
  • Reviewer for 14 international ISI journals and 10 ISC journals Completed approximately 90 scientific reviews, including research proposals, books, ISI articles, and ISC articles
  • 18 scientific lectures, workshops, and specialized sessions
  • 6 scientific and technical review and evaluation activities
  • 9 collaborations in organizing national and international congresses and conferences
  • Contributed to the preparation of 2 technical-executive guidelines and 1 specialized national guideline in the field of seismic retrofitting
  • Specialized cooperation with 5 universities, organizations, and research centers
  • 4 technology-oriented projects with certified Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
  • 13 strategic, problem-oriented, and needs-based applied research projects
  • Supervisor and advisor for more than 80 M.Sc. theses and 1 Ph.D. dissertation
  • Delivered more than 1,400 hours of specialized Civil Engineering training
  • Developed more than 150 hours of educational content on seismic retrofitting and rehabilitation

7.2. Executive and Professional Achievements

Higher Education and National Executive Leadership:

  • Serving as Deputy Director General for Alumni Affairs at the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT), with executive responsibilities in the development and improvement of services, processes, and national mechanisms related to higher education graduates and academic credentials.
  • Significant legal, administrative, and executive contributions to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of higher education services and processes.
  • Extensive contribution to the establishment, implementation, and development of the National Database of Academic Records and Credentials, implemented under Article 10 of the National Data and Information Management Law.
  • Contribution to the development and implementation of the National Academic Credential Verification System across the country's educational and research institutions.

National and International Achievements:

  • Ranked 3rd among 739 national expert ideas and contributions in the national expert crowdsourcing initiative concerning the Seventh National Development Plan.
  • Active technical leadership and participation in the international efforts contributing to Iran receiving First Place in the 2017 UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction.
  • Research Project Manager, Safe School Project within the Fundamental Transformation Document of Education.
  • Graduate of the First One-Year Young Governance Leaders Training Program, approved by MSRT.
  • Contribution to the development and approval of national strategic planning and public policies, particularly in the fields of structural vulnerability reduction and resilience against natural hazards.

Professional Development and National Service:

  • 141 certified hours of participation in faculty development and capacity-building workshops in cultural, educational, and social fields.
  • 575 officially certified hours of service and participation in national councils, working groups, committees, boards, and specialized commissions.
  • Contribution to the international presentation of Iran's technical and executive achievements in improving the seismic resilience of schools, bridges, hospitals, and communities.

7.3. Selected Publications and Activities

  • Eghbali, M. (2024). Legal Requirements for Issuing Unique Identification Codes for Official Higher Education Academic Credentials of Graduates, Performance Report of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and the Student Affairs Organization in Pursuit of Strategic Objectives, Summer 2024.
  • Raissi Dehkordi, M., Ali Shahri, and Eghbali, M. (2014). Safe School, New School Quarterly, Organization for Development, Renovation and Equipping Schools, Winter 2014.

8. REFERENCES

  • Prof. Gholamreza Ghodrati Amiri
    Full Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology
  • Assoc. Prof. Morteza Raeisi Dehkordi
    Associate Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology
  • Prof. Saeed Tarivardilu-Asl
    Full Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Urmia University
  • Prof. Saman Yaghmaei-Sabegh
    Full Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    School of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz
  • Prof. Mohsen Ghafory-Ashtiany
    Full Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    Founder and Former President, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES)
  • ​Prof. Abdolreza Sarvghad Moghaddam
    Full Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES)
  • Dr. Mehdi Navid-Adham
    Former Secretary-General, Supreme Council of Education
    Board of Founders of Islamic Azad University
  • Prof. Kazem Shakeri
    Full Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
  • Dr. Mehrallah Rakhshanimehr
    Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering – Structural and Earthquake Engineering
    Faculty of Engineering, Alzahra University