Prof. Dr. Syed Saood Zia is a visionary academic leader and one of Pakistan’s distinguished voices in Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Computing, and Digital Innovation. With over two decades of experience across academia, research, and the software industry, he brings a powerful blend of strategic leadership, technological expertise, and a deep commitment to preparing future‑ready computing professionals.

As Chairperson of the Department of Computer Science at Al‑Kawthar University, Dr. Zia is leading a transformative agenda—modernizing academic programs, strengthening research culture, and building strong industry partnerships to ensure students gain hands‑on exposure to emerging technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and Data Science. His leadership emphasizes innovation, problem‑solving, and the development of globally competitive graduates.

Dr. Zia has supervised and evaluated numerous MS and PhD research projects and has published extensively in reputable international journals, including W, X, and Y‑category publications. His research spans intelligent systems, healthcare informatics, cybersecurity, recommender systems, and sustainable ICT solutions. He has also contributed to international initiatives such as the Erasmus+ ACTIVE project focused on environmental sustainability through ICT.

Beyond academia, Dr. Zia has worked extensively as a Senior Functional Consultant across leading software companies, where he provided strategic guidance and technical direction for developing AI‑based systems, intelligent recommender systems, comprehensive Campus Management Systems, and a range of industry‑specific digital platforms. His contributions have enabled organizations to modernize operations, adopt emerging technologies, and build scalable, future‑ready digital ecosystems.

A member of the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Dr. Zia is widely recognized for his ability to bridge academia and industry, mentor young researchers, and inspire students to pursue excellence in technology and innovation.

Under his leadership, the Department of Computer Science at Al‑Kawthar University is rapidly emerging as a hub for cutting‑edge research, creative thinking, and transformative learning experiences.

Dr. Ingila Rahim is an Assistant Professor at Al-Kawthar University, where she brings extensive expertise in mathematical sciences and international academic collaboration. A seasoned educator and researcher, she previously served as an Assistant Professor at Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) and held the strategic role of Manager of International Linkages at the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC). In that capacity, she was instrumental in fostering global partnerships, facilitating faculty-student exchanges, and driving collaborative research initiatives.

Dr. Rahim holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics, with a research portfolio that uniquely bridges Astrophysics, Applied Mathematics, and Computational Modeling. Her scholarly work is noted for its diversity, ranging from the fractal analysis of stellar rotation and the evolution of "spotted stars" to the development of sophisticated multi-linear regression models for environmental challenges, such as estimating tropical cyclone fields in the Arabian Sea. She has also applied statistical modeling to public health, specifically analyzing COVID-19 data trends in Pakistan.

In addition to her core research, Dr. Rahim is a strong advocate for science education and communication. She has contributed to curriculum development for astronomy and space sciences at the pre-university level and has been an active member of the Mathematical Sciences Research Center at the Federal Urdu University (FUUAST). Her move to Al-Kawthar University marks a continuation of her commitment to academic excellence, blending high-level theoretical research with practical, data-driven solutions for modern industrial and scientific challenges.

Dr. Umema Hani is a distinguished Assistant Professor, Research Scholar, and Program Coordinator at PAF-KIET University. With a career spanning 24 years, she brings a rare and powerful combination of deep academic rigor and extensive industrial leadership to the Faculty of Computing. She holds a Ph.D. in Software Engineering, complemented by an MSCE with a specialization in Software Engineering and a BS in Computer Engineering.

Throughout her nearly quarter-century of experience, Dr. Hani has held pivotal roles in both the software industry and academia. Her academic journey includes significant tenures at prestigious institutions such as DHA Suffa, COMSATS, and SSUET. In the industrial sector, she has excelled as a Project Manager, Coordinator, and Senior Software Engineer for various organizations, including STI, Accentys Inc., Calimicrotech, and Cyber Angels. This dual perspective allows her to bridge the gap between theoretical software principles and real-world industrial application.

Dr. Hani is a highly active member of the academic community, serving on committees for Final Year Projects (FYP), Student Counselling, and Internal Audit teams for accreditation visits. As a researcher, she has supervised a PhD candidate and published four research articles in ISI and WoS indexed (HEC X category) journals. Her diverse research interests include:

Engr. Muhammad Shahid is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science with eight years of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. He is a registered engineer with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) under registration number COMP/16284. He holds a Master’s degree in Software Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering.

His research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Quantum Computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). He has published research titled “The Internet of Things Architecture, Feasible Applications and Fundamental Challenges” in the International Journal of Computer Applications, published by the Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), New York, USA.

Mr. Sartaj Ahmed is an Associate Lecturer, Subject Specialist, and Research Scholar with a strong foundation in computational sciences. He is currently advancing his expertise by pursuing an MS in Data Science, building upon his academic background in B.S. (Hons.) Computer Science. His professional journey is marked by a blend of academic instruction and technical roles, including serving as an IT Specialist and Data Validator.

With two years of teaching experience as an Instructor and Subject Specialist at the university level, Mr. Ahmed is dedicated to fostering technical excellence in his students. His research portfolio is deeply rooted in the frontiers of modern technology, with specific interests in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), Computer Vision, and Deep Learning.

Throughout his academic and professional career, Mr. Ahmed has been recognized for his merit and potential through several prestigious honors. He is a recipient of the STHP-Merit Scholarship from Sukkur IBA University, and the Ehsas Scholarship 2020.

Muhammad Daniyal Chundrigar is an Associate Lecturer of Applied Physics at Al-Kawthar University, Karachi. He is an award-winning physicist and dedicated educator with a strong background in theoretical and applied physics, particularly quantum mechanics. A double gold medalist at undergraduate level, he combines academic excellence with a student-centered teaching philosophy. Alongside his teaching role, he has contributed to advanced research at leading institutions and has multiple publications in reputable international journals. His passion lies in making complex scientific concepts accessible, fostering critical thinking, and inspiring the next generation of scientists through innovative and empathetic teaching.

Muhammad Huzaifa is a Software Engineer & Generative AI researcher with a strong foundation in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning. Muhammad Huzaifa is also recognized for his leadership role at Tech Carnot, where he contributed to curriculum development and skill-building initiatives and has extensive experience as a corporate developer focused on Generative AI-driven solutions. Specializing in Python, TensorFlow, and computer vision, he blends industry knowledge with his passion for teaching, preparing the next generation of engineers with advanced skills.

Mr. Faraz Mukhtiar is a Lecturer within the Faculty of Computing at Al-Kawthar University, Karachi. His work sits at the vital intersection of applied mathematics, statistical quality control, and machine learning, with a primary focus on developing intelligent process monitoring and data-driven decision systems. By bridging the gap between classical statistical methods and modern AI, he aims to address the evolving challenges of industrial quality control and Industry 4.0 ecosystems.

Mr. Mukhtiar earned his Master of Science in Engineering Sciences (Applied Mathematics) from the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) in 2025. His graduate research pioneered machine learning-based statistical process control (SPC) frameworks designed for efficient anomaly detection. This followed a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology (QUEST), where he specialized in the estimation of unsteady fluid flows using finite difference methods.

An active researcher, Mr. Faraz has contributed to high-impact, Q1-ranked international journals, including Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Computers & Industrial Engineering. His published work focuses on enhancing control charts and multivariate process monitoring through innovative machine learning integrations. Beyond the classroom, his expertise encompasses anomaly detection, industrial analytics, and process optimization, reflecting a career dedicated to advancing the precision and reliability of modern computational systems

Ms. Nida E. Rub is a Computer Science Lecturer with 4+ years of academic experience. She holds an MS (CS) and a BS (CS) and is a Gold Medalist.

She teaches Artificial Intelligence, Programming Fundamentals, Data Structures & Algorithms, Operating Systems, and Software Engineering, with expertise in OBE-based curriculum design, academic mentorship, and departmental coordination. She has served at PAF-KIET (NN Campus) and Indus University.

Research Interests: Data Science, Machine Learning, Deep Learning in Medical Imaging.
Achievements: Gold Medalist; award winner at the Invention to Innovation Summit (2017); FYP Coordinator; speaker and organizer at academic and Islamic events.