Professor Ian Smith BEng (Hons), PhD, FHEA
Professor Ian Smith is Freelance Geotechnical and Educational Consultant who holds the role of Head of the Board of Advisors.
He is the UK’s most eminent Teaching Professor of Geotechnical Engineering and is author of the leading textbook, Smith’s Elements of Soil Mechanics, now in its 10th Edition. He has over 30 years’ teaching experience and has taught in nations all over the world.
Throughout his long and illustrious career, Ian has worked in the field of International Relations and has established partnerships between UK universities and partners in several European and Asian nations.
As well as holding the position of Head of the Board of Advisors with Academic Solidarity Institute (ASI), Ian is also Leader of Built Environment Education at Heriot Watt University in the UK, Senior International Professor, at École Spéciale des Travaux Publics, du bâtiment et de l’industrie (ESTP) in Paris, France and is Academic Director at Performance Training Group in Hong Kong.
Ian has served as visiting Professor at 3 Chinese universities:
- Visiting Professor Shanghai Normal University
- Visiting Professor Jinggangshan University
- Visiting Professor Hubei University of Automotive Technology
and was, for many years, the Dean of the School of Engineering and the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University, UK. He has also served as Professor (International Relations) at the University of Bolton, UK.
Ian brings extensive international academic experience and knowledge to his role at ASI and can offer advice to all educational institutions interested in furthering their profile and presence in the international sphere.