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20112025

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Personal profile

Research and Innovation interests

My research and innovation activities focus on Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber-Physical Systems, Low Power Wide Area Networks (LoRaWAN, Sigfox, and NB-IoT), Wireless and Mobile Networks, B5G/6G technologies, and their applications in Smart Cities and intelligent environments. I have a strong interest in energy-efficient communication systems and scalable IoT architectures that support smart sensing, sustainable, real-time monitoring and control solutions.

I have led and contributed to multiple research projects in the areas of IoT and wireless networks, and I am the author of over 80 peer-reviewed publications. My research outputs include four registered intellectual properties (one patent and three copyrights) and have received several gold, silver, and bronze medals at national and international innovation exhibitions. I was also part of the winning team in the NB-IoT Hackathon (2018) and received the Engineering Research Award of the Year 2024 at BCU.

I serve on the editorial boards of several indexed, peer-reviewed journals and regularly contribute as a Top Peer Reviewer (Publons/Web of Science), having reviewed over 460 articles from over 100 journals/publishers. I actively engage in academic service as a Technical Program Committee (TPC) chair/member for international conferences and maintain professional affiliations with CEng, FHEA, SMIEEE, MIET, MBOT (Ts), IEM, and BEM Malaysia.

Teaching Interests

I am an Associate Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Birmingham City University (BCU), where I serve as Subject Lead for Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Course Lead for Electronic Engineering. My teaching and academic leadership are grounded in a student-centred, research-informed, and practice-led philosophy. I hold Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and am a Chartered Engineer (CEng, IET, UK). I have taught a wide variety of Electrical and Electronic Engineering modules at undergraduate/postgraduate levels, including:

Birmingham City University (BCU), UK:

  • ENG6068 Communication Systems and Networks
  • ENG5094 Engineering Electronic Systems
  • ENG6069 High Frequency and Power Electronics

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Malaysia:

  • Electrical and Electronic Systems & Circuits
  • Circuit Analysis I & II
  • Electrical Fundamentals and Circuit Analysis I
  • Electrical Fundamentals
  • Control & Instrumentation
  • Control Systems
  • Control Instrumentation
  • Numerical & Control Systems
  • Electrical Power & Machines
  • Electrical Power Systems
  • Electric Machines and Transformers
  • Power Electronics
  • Signals and Networks
  • Engineering Design Projects (Senior Design Project I & II)
  • Electrical and Electronics Laboratory (Circuit Theory and Electrical and Electronics Laboratory I & II)

I have been recognised as Highly Commended for Inspirational Teacher of the Year at the I AM BCU Awards (2023/24) and nominated in 2023, 2024, and 2025. At UMP, I was a recipient of the Excellent Service Award for three consecutive years (2019–2021). My pedagogy is rooted in outcomes-based education (OBE), project-based learning, and CDIO practices, with deep integration of research-informed and industry-aligned content through both traditional and digital platforms.  I have led and developed modules aligned with professional accreditation standards (IET, ABET, MQA), contributed to new programme design, and supervised a wide range of final year and postgraduate projects. My teaching approach is shaped by a commitment to industry relevance, innovation, and continuous curriculum enhancement.

A key focus of my practice is the integration of research-based learning, whereby I actively involve undergraduate students in scholarly activities. I have successfully supervised and mentored students to transform their final-year design and research projects into co-authored publications in high-impact Q1 journals, demonstrating a strong bridge between teaching and research excellence. This has led to several co-authored publications in high-impact journals, fostering early research engagement and enhancing student confidence and employability.

In my leadership roles at BCU, I have played a central role in the development and delivery of a reimagined curriculum that forms part of BCU’s strategic Reimagining Engineering initiative. This transformative approach embeds practical, research-informed, and industry-based learning from the outset of the course, with a strong focus on employability, innovation, and real-world application.

A key focus of the redesign has been the integration of industry-linked projects, professional tools, and hands-on experiences that simulate workplace challenges and reflect current technological demands. By working closely with employers, industrial partners, and accreditation bodies, we aim to produce work-ready graduates equipped with the technical and professional skills required by the sector, with a target of achieving 100% graduate employability.

This curriculum is fully aligned with IET accreditation requirements and supports BCU Employability Framework and BCU 2030 strategic priorities, including sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusive education. The newly validated Electronic and Electrical Engineering programme, set for implementation in 2026, aims to further enhance student satisfaction, close the awarding gap, and ensure equitable outcomes for all graduates. Planned enhancements include more inclusive assessment practices, personalised academic support, and the integration of diverse, accessible, and industry-relevant learning experiences across the course.

I continue to contribute to curriculum development, academic quality assurance, and teaching innovation, while supervising a wide range of industry-driven undergraduate and postgraduate research and final-year projects that consistently lead to tangible outcomes—such as peer-reviewed publications, prototypes, and improved employability prospects.

Enterprise Interests

My enterprise interests are centred on advancing industry-engaged education, applied research, and strategic academic–industry partnerships that deliver measurable impact. As Subject Lead for Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Course Lead for Electronic Engineering at BCU, I have led the design and development of curricula aligned with BCU’s Reimagining Engineering initiative, embedding industrial-based projects, employer collaboration, and applied learning experiences. These developments support the university’s strategic goal of achieving 100% graduate employability, while also engaging part-time students through degree apprenticeships in Electronic Engineering.

I actively contribute to institutional efforts under the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), Research Excellence Framework (REF), and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) by embedding industry-aligned practices, applied research, and community impact into programme delivery. My engagement with employers includes ongoing dialogue to align the curriculum with recent and emerging technologies, ensuring our programmes remain professionally relevant and responsive to the needs of industry.

Strong partnerships with organisations such as Siemens, FESTO/DIDACTIC, BMW, and the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) have enabled the integration of co-designed final-year projects, industrial placements, and real-world engineering challenges into the curriculum. I have also contributed to flagship enterprise initiatives such as Innovation Fest (2022–2025) and MiniVation Fest 2025, where student work was showcased to employers and external stakeholders.

Previously, as Senior Design Project (SDP) Coordinator at FTKEE, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), I introduced and coordinated industrial panels for evaluating capstone projects, reinforcing the role of external stakeholders in academic quality and innovation. Additionally, my active membership in professional bodies including IET (MIET), IEEE (SMIEEE), MBOT (Ts), and BEM/IEM Malaysia facilitates professional networking, standards alignment, and external collaboration.

My enterprise contributions also include serving as co-researcher on an industry-funded IoT-powered solar irrigation system, and collaborating with faculty on embedding emerging technologies into teaching and research. My earlier professional background as Planning Director at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Yemen) and as a Commissioning and Electrical Supervisor in power generation continues to inform my approach to curriculum innovation, external engagement, and strategic academic leadership. 

Knowledge Transfer interests

My knowledge transfer interests focus on advancing applied innovation, real-world research, and strategic academia–industry collaboration across domains such as IoT, smart systems, wireless communications, AI-driven solutions, and sustainable engineering. Many of my research outputs, published in Q1 ISI/SCI-indexed journals, stem from industry-aligned projects with demonstrable impact in areas such as smart healthcare, flood and environmental monitoring, renewable energy systems, and urban infrastructure. These projects often result in functional prototypes, pilot implementations, and technology transfer pathways.

I have supervised a total of 5 PhD and 5 Master's by Research students and more than 50 undergraduate final-year students, many of whom have produced publishable-quality outputs and pursued careers in research and industry. My supervision often involves co-designing real-world projects in collaboration with industry partners such as Siemens, BMW, GBS IoT, and FESTO/DIDACTIC, supporting both student development and enterprise engagement. I also act as an examiner for postgraduate research students (PGS), ensuring academic rigour and high-quality research standards.

As a peer reviewer, I have completed 469 verified reviews across 378 manuscripts for leading journals, including IEEE Transactions, as well as those from Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, AMC, SAGE, MDPI, and others. I also contribute to national and international research funding reviews, including panels for the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

My wider knowledge exchange activities include serving as a guest editor of special issues, editorial and technical advisory board member, and external academic evaluator for programme validations and academic promotions. As guest editor, I have led special issues in reputable journals such as Discover Internet of Things (Springer Nature), Computers & Electrical Engineering (Elsevier), Frontiers in Communications and Networks, and Sensors (MDPI). These roles allow me to facilitate international collaboration, promote interdisciplinary research, and actively contribute to cross-border knowledge transfer within the global academic and industrial communities.

Overall, my practice is deeply committed to translating research into impact, supporting student-led innovation, and enabling inclusive, high-quality knowledge exchange in support of BCU’s wider strategic goals.

Education/Academic qualification

Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering (Wireless Networks), PhD, Energy Efficient and Quality of Service Awareness Multipath Optimized Link State Routing Schemes for Multi-Hop Ad Hoc Wireless Networks, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

7 Sept 201117 Sept 2015

Award Date: 17 Sept 2015

Supervised by
  • Ismail, Mahamod

Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering (Communication and Computer), M.Eng, Performance Analysis of A Downlink Relay-Based Mobile WiMAX Network, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Jul 200930 Jun 2011

Award Date: 30 Jun 2011

Supervised by
  • Ismail, Mahamod

Electrical Engineering, B. Sc., University of Basrah

10 Oct 19967 Jul 2001

Award Date: 7 Jul 2001

Keywords

  • TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering

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