Biography
Knowledge and experience only find meaning when they serve society and help open the way to a brighter future.
Professor Akbar Manousi, an Iranian–Canadian economist and thinker, has devoted more than half a century of his life to research, education, social engagement, and humanitarian service. Rooted in Iran and flourishing in Canada’s academic and civic landscape, he has dedicated his career to building bridges — between knowledge and practice, and between Iran and the world.
From Isfahan to some of the world’s leading universities, from lecture halls to the realm of public service, and from community leadership to international advisory roles, Professor Manousi’s journey stands as a testament to commitment, perseverance, and love for his homeland — a model of inspiration for generations to come.
Early Life and Education
Professor Akbar Manousi was born in 1948 in Isfahan, Iran. He completed his primary and secondary education at the prestigious Mowri and Dar al-Fonoun schools in Tehran, and in 1967, he entered the Faculty of Law and Economics at the University of Tehran. After graduating, and upon the recommendation of the esteemed Professor Hossein Pirnia, then Dean of the Faculty of Economics, he decided to pursue advanced studies abroad. In 1971, he moved to Canada to continue his education.
At the University of Waterloo, he studied under the mentorship of renowned economists, including Nobel Laureate Professor Robert Mundell, the distinguished British economist Professor Joan Robinson, and Professor Robert Kerton. In 1973, he earned his Master’s degree in International Economics.
Encouraged by his strong interest in mathematics and management sciences, and upon the advice of Professor Mundell, he pursued further studies at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo, specializing in Operations Research and Econometrics. In 1976, he received his second Master’s degree and continued his research in applied operations research and econometric modeling.
Academic Experience
Professor Manousi began teaching during his graduate studies and later continued his academic career in Ottawa, where he taught for nearly three decades at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. During this period, he taught more than 6,000 students from around the world—many of whom have since become leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives across North America and beyond.
In addition to teaching, he held key academic and administrative positions, including serving as Director of the MBA program at Carleton University, where he played a vital role in expanding and internationalizing the program.
Entrepreneurship and Leadership
In 1995, drawing on his academic expertise and leadership experience, Professor Manousi founded the Canadian Higher Education Institute. The organization was established with the mission of developing innovative educational programs and fostering international academic cooperation. He continues to serve as its Executive Director and member of the Board of Directors.
Social and Political Engagement
Professor Manousi believes that social responsibility is an inseparable part of an academic life. In this spirit, he became actively involved in politics and civic affairs in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, where he helped build a strong network of community and political engagement. He has served as Regional Executive Director for the Liberal Party, as a candidate in both provincial and federal parliamentary elections, and later as President of the Green Party of Canada—one of the country’s four major political parties represented in Parliament.
Alongside his political work, he has been deeply involved in charitable and non-governmental organizations, holding positions such as President of the Economic and Cultural Council of Muslims in the National Capital Region and member of the Canadian International Council.
International Presence and Global Role
Beyond Canada, Professor Manousi is widely recognized for his collaboration with international economic, business, and academic organizations as a consultant and keynote speaker. His professional and academic travels have taken him to more than 35 countries and over 120 cities across Europe, North and South America. He has been invited to deliver keynote lectures at the University of Toronto, the University of Oxford, and Harvard University, and has served on advisory and policy boards of international economic institutions. Through these engagements, he has shared his expertise with global academic and professional communities.
Connection with Iran and Intellectual Legacy
Despite living in Canada for over five decades, Professor Manousi has maintained a strong and enduring connection with his homeland, Iran. Each year, he actively works to share his experiences with young Iranian professionals through lectures, workshops, and advisory sessions. He has delivered talks at more than 20 universities and chambers of commerce across Iran, offering strategic guidance to policymakers and supporting efforts to strengthen relations between Iran and Canada.
From Isfahan to the academic halls of Canada, from the classroom to political platforms, and from civic engagement to international collaboration, Professor Akbar Manousi’s life journey embodies perseverance, vision, and a profound belief in humanity’s power to create positive change in the world.