Contact
n.akber@ajman.ac.ae
06 705 5378
Ajman Campus
Naji Akbar

Naji Akbar, with over 20 years of experience in architecture, has designed and built a range of projects including residences, educational institutions, and mosques. After establishing his own consultancy, he returned to academia, earning two Master’s degrees in Architecture and Environmental Design from the University of Calgary. Naji has taught at universities in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE and authored a book on graphical language for design students. His research focuses on "ecological embeddedness" and sustainable environments, and he founded the RSFA* grant to support students working on projects rooted in traditional wisdom. Naji is currently a faculty member at the College of Architecture, Art, and Design at Ajman University. In addition to architecture, he is passionate about ecopoetry and digital art, with plans to publish two books in the near future. *RSFA stands for Razia Sultana & Farida Akbar, named in honor of two women whose lives Naji seeks to emulate.

Education
  • Master of Environmental Design (MEDes), University of Calgary, Canada, 2021.
  • Master of Architecture (M. Arch), University of Calgary, Canada, 2016.
  • Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch), NED University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan, 1998.
  • Building Information Modeling Program (BIM), Bredin Institute, Calgary, Canada, 2013.
  • Alberta Building Code, Part 9 Certification, Safety Codes Council, Edmonton, Canada, 2013.
Experience
  • Lecturer, College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ajman University, UAE, 2022 - Present
  • College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, 2017 – 2022
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary, AB, Canada, 2016 – 2017
  • Professional Expert Teacher 1999-2012 Department of Visual Studies, University of Karachi, Pakistan-1999-2012
  • Principal Architect, Naji & Kamran Architectural Consultants, Canada & Pakistan, 1998 – Present
  • Volunteer Experience: 1. RSFA Grant for Sustainability in the Built Environment – Currently serving as Grant Convener. 2. International School, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia – Moderated a workshop titled "Teachers as Leading Facilitators of Change." 3. Alberta Association of Architects, Canada – Served as a Student Representative. 4. Junior Achievements of Southern Alberta, Canada – Delivered the "Economics for Success" program to ninth-grade students at Ian Bazalgette School, Calgary. 5. Habitat for Humanity, Calgary, Canada – Volunteered as a construction crew member. 6. Centre De Sources (French Library), Calgary, Canada – Assisted management in determining interior design needs and appropriate schemes. 7. Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) – Served as Honorary Secretary of the IAP Karachi Chapter.
Teaching Area
  • Professional Practice for Architects and Interior Designers
  • Research and Programming
  • Architectural and Interior Design Studios
  • Building Construction
  • Design and Construction Documents
  • Revit for Architects and Interior Designers (Essentials)
  • Adobe In Design (Essentials)
  • Freehand Drawing and Perspectives (Essentials)
Research
  • Ecologically Embedded Built Environments
  • History of Sustainable Built Environments
  • Ecological Wisdom (EW)
  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
Publications
Conference Presentation
  • Towards a Post-Capitalist Society: Strategies for an Economically, Socially, and Environmentally Responsive Built Environment – University of Helsinki, Finland, 2019
  • Post-Capitalism and the Built Environment: Redefining Human Scale to Envision an Economically, Environmentally, and Socially Sustainable Neighborhood for the Area of Manchester, Calgary, Canada – University of Manchester, UK, 2018
  • Post-Capitalism and the Built Environment: Envisioning Neighborhoods for a Better Future – Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, 2017
  • Communication Drawings: A Beginner’s Guide to Graphical Language – IAPEx, Pakistan, 2011
Memberships, Awards and Honors
  • Student Member, Alberta Association of Architects (AAA), 2014–2021
  • Associate, Institute of Architects, Pakistan (IAP) – Lifetime Member
  • Member, Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) – Lifetime Member
  • Queen Elizabeth Research Funding, Canada, 2016
  • EVDS Scholarship Award, University of Calgary, Canada, 2016
  • EVDS Research Award, University of Calgary, Canada, 2016
  • Alberta Learners’ Scholarship, Alberta, Canada, 2013
  • Guest Speaker for the TV program Mosques of Pakistan, aired by News One Pakistan, 2011.