Abdelkrim LAIFAOUI

Dr. Abdelkrim Laifaoui is an accomplished Associate Professor with Habilitation (HDR) in Electrical Engineering and the Director of the University of Bejaia Incubator in Algeria, with a career spanning since 2006. His dual expertise lies in High Voltage (Haute Tension) research, focusing on the dielectric aging and breakdown mechanisms of solid insulating materials (such as PVC and pressboard) using advanced techniques like the Thermal Wave Method for space charge detection, and significant involvement in institutional innovation and entrepreneurship. As Director of the Incubator since 2023, he plays a key role in implementing national startup initiatives (Decree 1275) and fostering technology transfer. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and is the long-standing Head of the Electromechanical Program at his university. He also possesses significant technical expertise in curriculum development, including the design and implementation of training program frameworks (Master, Engineering, Technician, and Licence levels) in Electrotechnics and Electromechanics, and is skilled in the setup and design of technical specifications for institutional infrastructure such as laboratories, the Incubator, and the Fab Lab. Furthermore, Dr. Laifaoui has extensive experience in European projects (including Blue UP, INSTAR, and Safir) and is a highly qualified certified coach and trainer in entrepreneurship, with credentials from the ILO’s "Comprendre L’Entreprise" (CLE) program, the European Union (EU), and specialized training from the University of Central Florida as an Incubator and Fab Lab Manager. He has successfully supervised multiple PhD theses and over a dozen student projects leading to the creation of start-ups.