Rutgers Welcomes Alum Dr. Shams Naga ’86, a Global Leader in Architecture and Urban Planning

Rutgers Global was pleased to welcome distinguished alumnus Dr. Shams Eldien Naga to campus in January, celebrating his enduring connection to Rutgers University and his international impact as a leader in architecture, urban planning, and design. 

Dr. Naga, who earned his Master of Science in Urban Planning from Rutgers University in 1986, is Founder and Chairman of the DHB Group and NAGA Architects, Designers, and Planners, which operate across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the United States. 

During his visit to Rutgers, Dr. Naga met with key faculty and staff from the Rutgers School of Engineering, the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, the Rutgers University Foundation, and Rutgers Global.  

Rutgers University sees strong potential to deepen its engagement across the Middle East through expanded graduate student recruitment, increased research collaboration in areas such as urban planning, engineering, health sciences, sustainability, and smart cities, and the development of study abroad, internship, and other programs aligned with regional workforce priorities. Strategic partnerships with industry, government, and philanthropic leaders—often catalyzed by alumni such as Dr. Naga—remain central to this vision.  

An Enduring Connection with Rutgers 

Dr. Naga’s career reflects a blend of academic excellence, professional innovation, and international leadership. In addition to his MS from Rutgers, Dr. Naga holds additional degrees from Alexandria University and a PhD in Architecture and Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. He has held full professorships at universities in the United States, Egypt, and the UAE, and has conducted extensive research throughout his academic career.  

A strong connection between Dr. Naga and Rutgers has endured through the years. Key meetings with leadership from the Bloustein School, Rutgers University Foundation, and Rutgers Global have led to a consistent connection.  

As Stuart Shapiro, Dean of the Bloustein School noted, “Through these meetings, Shams has played a pivotal role in introducing Rutgers to senior government and university leadership in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia and helping to strengthen the university’s presence and partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.” 

In addition, key faculty and staff from Rutgers have traveled to the UAE and Saudi Arabia to meet with Dr. Naga, including delegations from the School of Engineering, Rutgers Business School, and the Bloustein School. Dr. Naga has also met with senior Rutgers leaders, including Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway, former Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Prabhas Moghe, and former President Jonathan Holloway. More recently, Dr. Naga attended a Rutgers alumni event in Dubai in November 2025 alongside Chancellor Conway, Rutgers Foundation President Kimberly Hopely, School of Engineering Dean Alberto Cuitiño, and other university leaders.  

Looking Ahead: Rutgers in the Middle East 

Rutgers’ engagement in the Middle East continues to expand. The Bloustein School has been exploring opportunities to support training for employees of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRAH). In April 2025, Rutgers signed an abbreviated memorandum of understanding with King Saud University, witnessed by former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. In the UAE, Rutgers visited the American University of Sharjah in November 2025, as well as with colleagues at partner institutions Ajman University and Khalifa University. Rutgers has also convened exploratory virtual meetings with Princess Nourah University in Saudi Arabia, engaging faculty and leadership across graduate studies, engineering, business, environmental and biological sciences, and Rutgers Health. 

Vice President for Global Affairs Rick Garfunkel remarked: “Dr. Naga’s visit underscores the powerful role of Rutgers alumni in advancing the university’s global mission and building meaningful, long-term partnerships around the world.”