Prof. Makram Mestiri | Digital Heritage | Best Academic Researcher Award
Professor at Larsh-Descripto/ISH, Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France
Makram Mestiri is a seasoned IT expert, architecture designer, and telecommunications specialist with nearly two decades of experience in academia, research, and industry. Currently a Professor and holder of the Digital Heritage Chair at the Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France (UPHF), he is widely recognized for his interdisciplinary approach that merges immersive technologies, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications to safeguard and promote cultural heritage. His professional journey reflects a commitment to digital innovation, global collaboration, and transformative education. Mestiri has contributed significantly to advancing digital heritage practices, ensuring they are both technologically advanced and socially impactful across continents.
Profile
Education
Makram Mestiri’s academic path reflects a strong foundation in engineering and computer science. He earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science from LSTS/ENIT in 2015, with a dissertation focused on the 3D registration of medical images, particularly addressing maxillofacial malformations. Prior to his doctorate, he completed a DEA (Master’s equivalent) in 2006, concentrating on wavelet-based edge detection and tomographic segmentation. He also holds an engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from ENIT (2004) and a C.E.S.S in IT and Telecommunications Technology (2002). These qualifications are further enhanced by certifications in Unity 3D, JavaScript, Linux administration, and Final Cut editing, showcasing his diverse technological capabilities.
Experience
Throughout his career, Mestiri has combined academic leadership with industrial consultancy. His early roles included work with Tunisian Television and firms like SNR, TIGO Senegal, IDCOM, and GetWireless, where he led implementations in mobile payment, IPTV, and value-added services. Later, as a consultant and project leader at SmartTechnology and UPHF–PRELUDE, he contributed to digital learning platforms and immersive training systems. Since 2022, as Chair Professor at UPHF, he has led numerous high-impact projects, including those involving VR museums, AR tourism tools, and NFT-based heritage preservation. His role encompasses research supervision, curriculum design, and international project coordination, making him a central figure in the digital transformation of cultural heritage.
Research Interest
Makram Mestiri’s research focuses on the integration of cutting-edge technologies for cultural preservation. His interests span digital twins, AI for risk prediction and 3D modeling, and immersive systems for intangible heritage documentation. He has explored themes like gesture-based memory, digital narratives, and the safeguarding of digital-born artifacts. His projects often emphasize sustainability and public engagement, from blockchain applications for heritage trust to immersive metaverse environments that recontextualize historical sites. His collaborations stretch globally—from the University of Sharjah to Columbia University and several North African institutions—highlighting his dedication to culturally contextual, technologically rigorous scholarship.
Award
Mestiri’s work has been widely recognized through significant grants and project funding. He has secured over €7 million in research funding across multiple national and international initiatives. These include leading roles in projects like “VRA Mocap,” “ADMAX,” and participation in high-impact endeavors such as the Erasmus+ Sigmarail, PIA4, and Japan’s KIBOCUBE-Sat program. Notably, he has led immersive heritage digitization efforts and won competitive AUF and Sharjah grants, underscoring his ability to combine technological innovation with societal relevance in cultural preservation.
Publication
Makram Mestiri has contributed to several recent scholarly works that reflect his focus on AI, VR, and digital culture. Among his notable publications are:
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“Advancing AI in Narrative Journalism” (in review) – Strategies for engaging content generation using AI.
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“Iranian Cultural Heritage and AI” (in review, Workshop on AI for Cultural Heritage, Rome) – Co-authored with N. Yazdkhasti.
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“Creative Tourism: From AR to AI Exploration” (2024, 29th ICE IEEE/ITMC Conference, Edinburgh, in review) – Co-authored with S. R. Sobhani.
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“Artificial Intelligence for Virtual Reality: A Neurofeedback Approach” (2025, Colloque HN 2, accepted).
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“Intangible Heritage in Digital: Transmission and Renewal Practices” (in review, Journal of Cultural Heritage) – With T. Snoussi.
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“Exploring Digital Heritage through Digital Twins and Trust” (in review, Future Generation Computer Systems).
These articles have collectively influenced emerging discussions on integrating AI with cultural heritage, with several being presented at top-tier academic venues. Citations and further academic dialogue are evolving as they move through peer review and publication.
Conclusion
Makram Mestiri represents a dynamic blend of academic rigor, technological foresight, and cultural sensitivity. His career is defined by a mission to digitize, preserve, and reimagine heritage using advanced technologies that resonate with contemporary digital society. Whether through immersive educational platforms, cross-continental research collaborations, or AI-enhanced storytelling, he continually bridges the digital divide in cultural sustainability. His leadership and scholarship stand as a testament to how innovation can serve as a cultural custodian for future generations.