Meet Dr. Saeid Okhravi, a National Scholarship Programme (NSP) holder from Iran, who turned a 10-month research stay into a flourishing academic career in Slovakia. Today, he works as a senior researcher at the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava, leading innovative projects in hydrology and mentoring future scientists. His journey is a testament to how one scholarship can shape an entire future.

With Dr. Yvetta Velísková and an international collaboratorMy name is Saeid Okhravi, and I am a senior academic researcher at the Institute of Hydrology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava. Originally from Iran, I earned my PhD in Hydraulic Structures in September 2020 from Bu-Ali Sina University, one of the Iran’s leading institutions. My doctoral research focused on laboratory experiments investigating local scour around cylindrical pile groups in non-uniform sediment mixtures. This study was complemented by numerical modeling at the University of Porto in Portugal. My time in Porto in 2019 was an eye-opening experience, sparking my interest in European culture and research collaboration.

In December 2020, my academic journey took an exciting turn when I was awarded the National Scholarship of the Slovak Republic(NSP) for a 10-month research stay at the Institute of Hydrology SAS. This opportunity set the foundation for the next stage of my career in Slovakia.

Academic Life in Slovakia
Following the completion of my NSP-funded research, I was offered a contract by Dr. Yvetta Velísková, the former director and my close collaborator at the Institute of Hydrology. This marked the beginning of a series of remarkable research opportunities. Over the past four years, I have actively contributed to five innovative research projects focusing on river and hydraulic modeling. My expertise in water flow modeling spanning experimental, numerical, and field studies, has been instrumental in advancing research on wetlands, rivers, and reservoirs.

With the former (Pavol Šajgalík) and new (Martin Venhart) president of SAS at 21st STS Forum in Kyoto, JapanThrough strong collaborations with esteemed researchers at the Institute of Hydrology, my work has resulted in numerous conference papers, journal articles, books, and book chapters. I have also been actively involved in academic communities, serving as an associate editor for the Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics and reviewing manuscripts for various high-impact journals.                                                                    

My dedication to research has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Best Paper Awards at the 34th and 35th Young Hydrologists Conferences and UNESCO’s program in Slovakia. Additionally, I won the Best Poster Award at the 18^th WMHE 2024 Symposium on Water Management and Hydraulic Engineering. I have had the honor of delivering lectures on fluvial hydraulics at the 6th International Scientific Conference Biohydrology in Kraków, Poland, and the Polish Academy of Sciences [Link].                                                      

Beyond Slovakia, I was selected as a Young Professional Attendee at World Water Week 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden. Most notably, I was recognized as the second-place winner among the top three young researchers at SAS (https://www.sav.sk/) and was chosen by the SAS Presidium to represent Slovakia as a Young Ambassador at the 21st Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum in Kyoto (21^st STS Forum), Japan, in October 2024.         

To further strengthen my leadership and research skills, I secured funding for STORMSustain project from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic. This project focuses on using numerical hydrodynamic modeling to assess the impact of nature-based solutions (NbS) on urban drainage systems, aiming to develop sustainable strategies for future urban planning in Slovakia. Additionally, I am leading the AIMaxFlood Project under the SAS Open Mobility Program in partnership with the University of Glasgow, Scotland. This research aims to revolutionize flood modeling by replacing costly numerical simulations with fast and accurate AI-driven flood mapping techniques, enhancing settlement planning and early warning systems.

With the former (Pavol Šajgalík) and new (Martin Venhart) president of SAS at 21^st STS Forum in Kyoto, Japan

Reflecting on Four Years in Slovakia
With Mr. Yaser Sabzevari, a new NSP holder Looking back, I am immensely grateful for the opportunities that the Slovak National Scholarship provided me. It allowed me to build a successful academic career in a supportive and peaceful environment with wonderful colleagues. What more could a researcher ask for?

Today, I have reached a stage where I am not only pursuing cutting-edge research but also supervising PhD students in Slovakia. The most remarkable moment in this journey is welcoming a talented Iranian PhD student, Mr. Yaser Sabzevari, from Isfahan University of Technology (IUT) in Iran. He has received the same scholarship that brought me here four years ago, an incredible full-circle moment! Yaser is now working alongside me and a colleague to optimize hydrological modeling in snow-dominated regions.

Living in Slovakia has been a truly enriching experience. The warmth and hospitality of the people, combined with a strong academic environment, make it an ideal destination for young and experienced researchers alike. For those considering postgraduate studies or research opportunities abroad, I highly recommend Slovakia, it offers not just academic growth but a unique cultural and professional experience worth embracing.