“Growing up in a region where energy security and environmental challenges are very real, I’ve seen first-hand the need for reliable and clean energy solutions,” shared Dr Feras Alasali, who was shortlisted for the 2025 Study UK Alumni Awards.
Reading graduate Dr Alasali, who previously served as Director of the Renewable Energy Centre and currently holds the position of Vice Dean of Student Affairs at the Hashemite University in Jordan, shared that “sustainability is at the heart of everything I do”.
His impressive career in sustainability and energy has led to multiple recognitions – including the Arab Scientific Community Organisation (ARSCO) Research Award, granted for leading an international project at the Hashemite University that developed an AI-based early warning system for flash flooding. More recently, he was awarded first place in the Arab Award for Best Scientific Research in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (2025) by the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils. This was in recognition of his pioneering work on enhancing the resilience of smart grids and electric vehicle charging infrastructure against cyber-physical threats. In the same year, he received the Ali Mango Distinguished Researcher Award in Engineering and Information Technology, one of Jordon’s top research honours, for his contributions to developing advanced protection and control strategies for renewable energy integration, supporting the country’s energy transition efforts.
With all of these well-deserved accolades to his name, Dr Alasali’s impressive career continues to gain recognition with his shortlisting for the Study UK Alumni Award in the Science and Sustainability category for 2025. He said: “It was a wonderful surprise to be shortlisted for this award and a proud moment for me. It feels great to be recognised alongside so many talented individuals from the global UK alumni community.”
The Study UK British Council Alumni Awards recognise UK university alumni, who are living outside of the UK and who have inspirational success stories, across four award categories: Science and Sustainability, Culture and Creativity, Social Action, and Business Innovation. Applications will be opening soon for the 2026 Study UK Alumni Awards.
“Being part of this award is not just about personal success, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on my journey, from my time at Reading to the work I’m doing now.”
Dr Alasali explained: “It encourages me to keep moving forward and continue making a positive impact. I’m especially thankful to the University of Reading for shaping my path and giving me the knowledge and support that helped me grow.”
Advancing clean energy solutions
Dr Alasali studied a PhD in electronic engineering at Reading, where he focused on optimising energy controllers for energy storage systems – a key area in advancing clean energy solutions – and shared that his experience was “truly life-changing, both academically and personally.”
He said: “Reading gave me a strong education, fresh ideas, valuable international connections and a global outlook.
“The education I received at Reading played a key role in shaping my career, equipping me with both the technical expertise and the innovative mindset necessary for addressing sustainability challenges, and has had a lasting impact on my career.
“My time at Reading prepared me to take on complex challenges in the engineering sector, as a result of the degree’s focus on solving real-world problems and working closely with industry. I studied within a very supportive environment, where I was surrounded by inspiring supervisors and researchers worldwide. One of the most meaningful outcomes for me was the opportunity to co-author a book with my PhD supervisor, Professor William Holderbaum, titled Energy Forecasting and Control Methods for Energy Storage Systems, which is still an active collaboration today.
“Reading was also the place where I developed soft skills and built friendships, and I have fond memories of walking by the lake on campus after long days in the lab, which helped me to reflect and recharge. These experiences made my time there even more special.”
Global sustainability
After graduating Dr Alasali returned to his home country of Jordan and joined The Hashemite University as an Assistant Professor, where four years later he was promoted to Associate Professor. He shared:
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything I do. Growing up in a region where energy security and environmental challenges are very real, I’ve seen first-hand the need for reliable and clean energy solutions.
“My research focuses on integrating renewable energy sources like solar and energy storage into modern power grids, while also tackling related issues like system protection and cybersecurity. For me, sustainability isn’t just about new technology – it’s about making sure these solutions work well within existing systems and are practical for communities.
“Since returning to Jordan, I have been committed to transforming the energy landscape through sustainable projects that have tangible impacts on communities and industries. As the Director of the Renewable Energy Centre at the Hashemite University I supervised the implementation of a 5 MW photovoltaic (PV) system, which not only reduced the University’s carbon footprint, but also served as a model for other institutions.
“It was the skills I gained at Reading which helped me navigate the practical challenges of implementing large renewable energy projects such as this. For example, whilst at Reading I worked on a project that involved optimizing the energy use of cranes, where my research helped improve energy efficiency and reduce costs in industrial settings. This hands-on experience provided me with the technical know-how and strategic thinking required for the larger-scale projects that I now manage, which make a tangible impact on my community and the environment.”
Dr Alasali also holds the position of Vice Dean of Student Affairs at Hashemite, where he mentors students and promotes industry collaboration.
He said: “I was motivated to share the knowledge I gained during my time at Reading. These roles have allowed me to bridge academic research with real-world applications, particularly in advancing sustainable energy solutions and enhancing grid resilience.
“I felt inspired by my education in the UK to mentor the next generation of engineers, encouraging them to look beyond traditional approaches and contribute to global sustainability.”
Dr Alasali’s passion for mentoring young engineers was also reflected in the Jordan Engineers Association Award for Best Graduation Projects. Under his supervision, Dr Alasali’s student teams have won this award, addressing real-world challenges in renewable energy, grid protection, and energy efficiency.
The next round of applications for the Study UK Alumni Awards will be opening soon. Find out more and register your interest to be informed when applications open.
