Prof. Dr. Amir Mehmood is an accomplished academic leader and researcher with over 23 years of extensive experience in higher education, research, and professional practice. Holding a Ph.D. in Computer Science and a Gold Medal in his undergraduate studies, he currently serves as Acting Dean, Faculty of Computing at Al-Kawthar University, and is an HEC-approved PhD Supervisor. Throughout his distinguished career, he has served in key academic and leadership roles at various institutions in Karachi.

His research expertise spans Networks and Communications, Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, IoT applications, Wireless and Ad hoc Networks (MANETs/VANETs), Cloud Computing, and Spatial-Temporal Modeling. He has also contributed internationally as a Foreign Technical Consultant on a smart city IoT project in Al-Madinah. A professional member of the Association for Computing Machinery, Dr. Mehmood has authored over 25 research publications, delivered keynote talks, chaired technical sessions, and served as a Self-Assessment Report (SAR) evaluator for BS, MS, and PhD programs across various universities. In addition, he has been appointed as an External MS and PhD Thesis Evaluator at multiple national institutions, reflecting his recognized expertise, academic credibility, and commitment to maintaining rigorous research standards and quality assurance in higher education.

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.

With a background in computer science and software engineering, I am currently serving as an Associate Professor at Al Kawthar University, Karachi, Pakistan. Before joining Al Kathar University, I served as Assistant Professor at SSUET and Ziauddin University in Karachi, Pakistan. Prior to joining Ziauddin University, I held the position of Senior AI Developer at HetroCloud, a research project funded by the National Center of Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC) that was executed at the Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology (KIET). My expertise in machine learning and computer vision spans over five years, and I have contributed to several peer‑reviewed articles published in renowned conferences and journals such as Elsevier Pattern Recognition Letters, Elsevier Computer Networks, Springer Neural Processing Letters, IEEE Access, KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems, and IEEE TENCON. In 2017, I received the HEC Indigenous Ph.D. Fellowship to pursue my doctoral studies. My research interests are matrix factorization, network tomography, ill-posed problems, radial basis function neural networks, computer vision and deep learning. Additionally, I have served as a reviewer for the Elsevier journals Computer Networks and Results in Control and Optimization.

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.

Dr. Shakir Karim Buksh is an Assistant Professor at Al-Kawthar University, Karachi, where he is part of the Faculty of Computing. He earned his PhD in Computer Science from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, successfully defending his thesis, "The Impact of Capability and Motivation on the Performance of Crowd Workers in Crowdsourcing," in February 2025 under the supervision of Dr. Zaheeruddin Asif. His research interests span crowdsourcing, information systems, semantic web, and information security and privacy. He has co-authored several recent publications on AI-driven applications, including work on AI-based recommendation systems and federated deep learning for sustainable food management, and has collaborated with colleagues at Al-Kawthar University, including Prof. Dr. Syed Saood Zia, Chairperson of the Department of Computer Science. Prior to joining Al-Kawthar University, he was affiliated with Bahria University, Karachi.

Dr. Farheen Qazi is an Assistant Professor with over 18 years of academic experience. She holds a PhD in Computer Science and has expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Operating Systems, Cryptography and Computer Security, and Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks. Her research includes secure communication, cryptographic applications, vehicular network security, and AI-based applications.

With a background in software engineering and computer engineering, Engr. Dur-e-Shawar Agha serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at Al Khawthar University, Karachi, Pakistan. She has been associated with academia since 2011 and has previously held various academic positions at Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET). Her academic responsibilities have included teaching, student mentoring, Final Year Project supervision, academic activities, and professional training.

Her research interests include cryptographic techniques, secure authentication and communication, and Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). Her research publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences cover areas including cryptographic applications, secure communication and authentication in WBANs, priority-based data aggregation, vehicular ad hoc network security, document processing, and AI-based applications.

Her academic and research experience encompasses teaching, student supervision, research, and engagement with technology-related activities in the field of computing.

Mr. Fahad Ahmed Siddiqui is a dynamic, results-driven professional with over 15 years of experience spanning higher education and product development. He currently serves as Head of Product Design and Business Development Manager at Greenxor Solutions, where he leads the development of AI-based home power management products. Previously, he spent 15 years at Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology as Assistant Professor, helping establish the Department of Applied Computing and Emerging Sciences and designing curricula for programs in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cloud Computing. He holds an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Power Electronics) from the University of Bradford, UK, and has published extensively in AI, machine learning, and control systems.

Engr. Faizan Ali Siddiqui is a dedicated educator and researcher with 4+ years of academic experience in Software Engineering and Computing education. He holds a Master’s degree in Information and Communication Engineering from Harbin Engineering University, China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro. His teaching interests include Theory of Automata, Discrete Structures, Programming Fundamentals, Numerical Analysis, Computer Fundamentals, and Applied Physics. He has also served as an Accreditation Coordinator (Pakistan Engineering Coordinator) in the Software Engineering Department at Bahria University Karachi Campus, contributing to academic accreditation activities. His professional experience combines teaching, academic coordination, networking, and IT support. He has contributed to international research publications in areas including wireless networks, IoT, routing protocols, cryptography, and image segmentation, presented at conferences across China and Malaysia. He holds several international certifications, including Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and multiple Juniper Networks (JNCIA/JNCIS) credentials. Combining strong technical grounding with a passion for teaching, he continues to contribute to research and mentorship in software and network engineering.

Ms. Umme Layba is a Lecturer at Al-Kawthar University, where she contributes to the Department's teaching and academic development initiatives. She brings a strong foundation in mathematics education, cultivated through prior faculty experience at the University of Karachi, where she served as Visiting Faculty in Mathematics from January 2025 to August 2026, delivering instruction in Quantitative Reasoning, Basic Mathematics, and Functional Mathematics at the undergraduate level. Earlier in her career, she completed a research internship with the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) at the University of Karachi, during which she taught Numerical Analysis and Linear Algebra.

Ms. Layba is currently in the final stages of completing her M.Phil. in Mathematics at the University of Karachi, with a thesis titled “Modelling and Forecasting of Bivariate Monsoon Rainfall Patterns in Pakistan.” She holds an M.Sc. in Mathematics from Govt. Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur, which she completed with distinction (CGPA 3.90), and a B.Sc. in Mathematics from Islamia University Bahawalpur, graduating in the First Division. Her academic achievements have been recognized through merit-based scholarships at the B.Sc., M.Sc., and M.Phil. levels.

Her scholarly contributions include a research presentation at the 1st International Conference on Innovative Cross-Disciplinary Solutions for Sustainable Development Goals (IC-SDGs), hosted by Jinnah University for Women. She has further strengthened her research and pedagogical expertise through participation in workshops and conferences on data analysis, scientific writing, research methodology, and mathematical sciences, organized by institutions including the University of Karachi and the Karachi Mathematical Association.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Ms. Layba is proficient in R programming and has cultivated skills in academic writing, event management, and team collaboration, complemented by a sustained commitment to community service initiatives.

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.