Meet the Team
EZZAT BAROUDI
Head of Technical Design & Course DirectorEzzat Baroudi is an internationally recognized lighting designer, educator, and thought leader with over 25 years of experience in architectural lighting design.
Mr. Baroudi holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Damascus University and seamlessly integrates technical precision with refined, timeless design. This unique combination led him to found EB Lighting Design Studio and to serve as Design Director Partner at Acumen Light, where he leads innovative projects across the region.
He is the author of A Useful Summary of Lighting Design and a Co-Founder and Technical Design & Course Director of The Lighting Institute , a leading platform for professional lighting education. As one of the first Arabic-speaking pioneers to deliver structured lighting education in Arabic, he has built a global social media community of over 750K followers, offering free, high-value educational content.
Mr. Baroudi is also a distinguished keynote speaker and lecturer, having delivered talks and academic lectures at major conferences and institutions, including ILDC, SLL, King Saud University, and others, as well as appearing on numerous television and radio programs. His work continues to influence the next generation of architects and lighting professionals worldwide.
Malak Adel
Managing DirectorMalak Adel is the Managing Director at The Lighting Institute, The first & only lighting institute & community in the MENA region to provide professional masterclasses, courses and hands-on high-quality education in lighting for professionals and students. He is also Design and Specification Manager at Dhow Architectural Solutions. and a Certified Dialux Evo Trainer, Part of DIAL GmbH global Trainer Network, creator of the most renowned software for lighting design and calculation. With a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering and over 16 years of experience in the lighting industry, Malak has been involved in several international award-winning and iconic projects in the Middle East region and Europe. He has passion for lighting and how it can influence and change any project due to its strong impact on the spaces and environments that we create. Malak's mission is to share his knowledge and expertise with the lighting community and to promote the value and importance of lighting in architecture and urban design.
WALEED FAKOUSA
Founder & PartnerWaleed Fakousa is the Director & Partner of CD+M’s Lighting Design, Spectacle Design Studios and Founder of The Lighting Institute.
With more than 16 years of practicing lighting design in Europe, USA and the Middle East, Waleed believes that elevating the awareness & understanding of light within the design community is a key factor contributing in appreciating the quality and value of the profession.
He has designed and worked on a cross-section of award-winning international projects varying from High Rise buildings, theme parks, shopping malls, public realm, museums, stadiums, offices, hotels & healthcare.
Waleed holds a Masters degree in architectural lighting design from The University of Wismar, Germany.
He is striving to improve and solidify the role of the lighting community in the MENA region and how the profession, can greatly enhance the lives of others through knowledge transfer and education
YENAL GUL
Sales & Marketing AdvisorYenal is a diplomat, initiator and business minded engineer. He has begun his career in OSRAM, where he lived and work in Germany, Italy, Hong Kong and finally Dubai. After a total of 11 years in OSRAM, he has joined Lutron Electronics, where he has led the Commercial and Hospitality business unit. Since 2024, Yenal works at Huda Lighting, leading business development across firm’s 13 offices around the world. Yenal likes connecting people, forging alliances and creating value for each stakeholder in the complex business landscape. In this free time, he likes to sail around Dubai, preparing for a long voyage in the Mediterranean, and perhaps across the Atlantic Ocean. With an MSc in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick and a foundation in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Koç University, Yenal blends technical expertise with strategic business insight
