Dr. Amin Akhnoukh, assistant professor in the Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering department in the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology (EIT), has been selected to be a regional coordinator for the International Road Federation (IRF) Fellows Alumni Association.

Akhnoukh, a native of Egypt, will serve as one of 11 regional coordinators worldwide. His territory will be Africa.

The federation is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization with the mission to encourage and promote development and maintenance of better, safer, and more sustainable roads and road networks.

Akhnoukh’s research at UALR centers on developing and testing high-strength and high-performance materials for better bridges, tunnels, and highways. This includes high-strength concrete, internal cured concrete, large-diameter pre-stressing strands, and welded wire reinforcement.

“I am honored to be chosen as a regional coordinator for the IRF Fellows Alumni Association,” Akhnoukh said. “This position will allow me to connect with other researchers who are looking at ways to create better road building materials, and I hope to use those connections to further the work I’ve been doing at UALR.”

The IRF Fellows Alumni Association is designed to help IRF Fellows continue their life-long learning opportunities and volunteer leadership. The membership organization creates a network of international professionals in the road and transportation field worldwide by combining with the IRF membership organization. This network allows IRF Fellows and IRF members to connect for business opportunities, research initiatives, and knowledge exchange.

As a regional coordinator, Akhnoukh will be responsible for:

• Locating all Fellows in Africa to ensure contact information is current

• Recommending future Fellow candidates from Africa

• Submitting Fellows stories to publicize accomplishments

• Submitting regional summaries every six months

• Participating in the evaluation process of the applications for the Dr. Mino Award  of Excellence

• Encouraging development of country Fellow associations

• Assisting Fellowship solicitation process for Regional Fellow candidates

Working together with members and associates in more than 90 countries, IRF promotes social and economic benefits that flow from well-planned and environmentally sound road transport networks. It helps put in place technological solutions and management practices that provide maximum economic and social returns from national road investments.