Prof Slaheddine Khlifi | Water Resources Management | Best Researcher Award

professor , ESIM, University of Jendouba , Tunisia

Prof. Slaheddine Khlifi 🌍 is a leading academic and researcher in sustainable water and soil management 💧🌱. He currently serves as the Head of the Research Laboratory “Sustainable Management of Water and Soil Resources” and is a full professor at ESIM, University of Jendouba 🇹🇳. With over 28 years of experience in teaching and research, he has mentored numerous PhD and MSc students 🎓 and coordinated major academic programs on climate change and water management 🌦️📘. His work has had a deep impact on environmental sustainability, hydrology, and adaptation strategies in the Mediterranean region 🌿📊.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education & Experience

Prof. Khlifi holds a PhD in Environment from Université Libre de Bruxelles 🇧🇪, a Master’s in Environmental Management 🧪, an MSc in Forest Sciences from Laval University 🇨🇦, and an Agronomic Engineering diploma from Tunisia 🇹🇳. He earned his academic habilitation in 2014 🎓. His teaching portfolio includes erosion control, hydrology, geostatistics, and watershed management 🌊🛰️. He has served ESIM since 1997, advancing from assistant to full professor 👨‍🏫. Prof. Khlifi also coordinates doctoral and master programs and sits on multiple academic councils and committees, demonstrating a sustained commitment to interdisciplinary education and research leadership 📚👥.

Professional Development

Prof. Khlifi has developed and led numerous academic programs in water resource management, climate adaptation, and environmental science 🌐📖. He coordinated the Master’s program Climadapt and the PhD committee for Water & Environment Science at ESIM 💡🌿. His international collaborations span Belgium, Italy, and the U.S., and he has co-supervised students across multiple universities 👨‍🔬🌍. Prof. Khlifi integrates research with practical development by engaging with national and global projects and actively bridging science and policy 🤝📈. His efforts enhance institutional capacity-building, digital learning, and smart technologies for climate resilience and water conservation 💧💻.

Research Focus

Prof. Khlifi’s research focuses on hydrological modeling, climate change adaptation, erosion control, and sustainable water management 🌦️💧. He specializes in evaluating the impacts of hydraulic structures like small dams and contour benches on runoff and sedimentation 🏞️🧮. His studies include remote sensing, geostatistics, citizen science, and the integration of AI into water systems 🌐📊. He works to optimize water resource usage in fragile Mediterranean environments and supports decision-making with scientific data 🧠🌍. His cross-disciplinary approach addresses both local and regional water sustainability challenges, enhancing climate resilience and sustainable development in North Africa and beyond 🌱🌎.

Awards & Honors

Prof. Khlifi is a Principal Investigator on several prestigious international projects, including PRIMA-funded SMARTIES and AI-driven coastal water optimization 🌊🤖. He received EU support for the Climadapt program and led research collaborations with UCLouvain 🇧🇪, CERTE, and Auburn University 🇺🇸. He has shaped national strategies through projects funded by Erasmus, Tempus, and national bodies 🧩📑. His work on intelligent water systems and sustainable hydrology has earned widespread recognition across Europe and North Africa 🌍🏅. Prof. Khlifi’s leadership in environmental innovation and education continues to inspire young researchers and global networks 👨‍🏫🌿.

Publication Top Notes

1.Evaluating the Spatial and Temporal Transferability of Model Parameters of a Distributed Soil Conservation Service–Soil Moisture Antecedent–Simple Lag and Route Model for South Mediterranean Catchments

📚 Citation:
Gara, A., Gader, K., Khlifi, S., Vanclooster, M., Sellami, H. (2025). Evaluating the Spatial and Temporal Transferability of Model Parameters of a Distributed Soil Conservation Service–Soil Moisture Antecedent–Simple Lag and Route Model for South Mediterranean Catchments. Water, 17(4), 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17040569

2.Assessing Spatio-Temporal Hydrological Impacts of Climate Change in the Siliana Watershed, Northwestern Tunisia

📚 Citation:
El Ghoul, I., Sellami, H., Khlifi, S., Vanclooster, M. (2024). Assessing Spatio-Temporal Hydrological Impacts of Climate Change in the Siliana Watershed, Northwestern Tunisia. Atmosphere, 15(10), 1209. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101209

3.Future Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Growth and Productivity in Northern Tunisia

📚 Citation:
El Melki, M. N., Soussi, I., Al-Khayri, J., Al-Dossary, O., Alsubaie, B., Khlifi, S. (2024). Future Impact of Climate Change on Durum Wheat Growth and Productivity in Northern Tunisia. Agronomy, 14(9), 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092022