admin
Professor Mohammed, we’re delighted to get the opportunity to talk
with you for this issue of UniNewsletter. As our distinguished
leadership figure, could you please begin by outlining your academic
background, culminating in your appointment as Associate Provost for
Academic Affairs at AURAK?
Thank you, it’s a pleasure to join this conversation. My academic
journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Yarmouk
University in Jordan, followed by both a Master’s and Ph.D. in Computer
Science from the University of Houston in the United States. During my
time in Houston, I gained invaluable experience as a teaching assistant,
which shaped my long-term passion for higher education and inspired me
to pursue a career in academia.
I joined AURAK in 2013. Over the past decade, I have been fortunate to
grow with the institution, serving as program coordinator, department
chair and professor. These roles allowed me to contribute directly to
curriculum development, accreditation and mentoring both students and
faculty.
Along the way, I was honored to receive the President’s Award for
Excellence in Teaching, and later the President’s Award for Leadership
in Service, which reflected my dual commitment to both pedagogy and
institutional growth. In September 2023, I was appointed Associate
Provost for Academic Affairs, a role that allows me to build on these
experiences and work closely with students, faculty, and leadership to
shape academic policies, strengthen support services and promote student
success across the university. This progression reflects both a personal
passion for education and the dynamic opportunities AURAK provides for
leadership development.
Your research spans a plethora of pressing and diverging topics. How
do you integrate such diverse research interests—such as from
cybersecurity to environmental sensing—within your academic vision at
AURAK, and can you comment further about how this relates to
interdisciplinarity in higher ed today?
My research has always been motivated by real-world problems that
require practical, interdisciplinary solutions. While the topics may
seem wide-ranging—from cybersecurity and e-voting systems to data
science applications, gamification in education, and nanosatellite
projects—they are connected by a common theme: the use of technology to
create safer, more transparent, and more engaging systems for
society.
For example, my work in cybersecurity has focused on improving password
practices, detecting phishing vulnerabilities and designing
cryptographic voting systems that ensure transparency and trust. At the
same time, through machine learning and data analytics, I have addressed
challenges such as traffic accident prediction and customer drop-off.
These domains overlap when viewed through the lens of data integrity,
system security and user trust.
At AURAK, this breadth of research translates into an academic vision
where interdisciplinarity is not only encouraged but necessary. A
powerful example is our CubeSat project, where I co-supervised students
alongside colleagues from engineering. Together, we designed a
nanosatellite launched into space in 2020. This project combined
aerospace engineering and computer systems—precisely the type of
interdisciplinary collaboration that prepares students for the
future.
Higher education today must move beyond siloed expertise. At AURAK,
faculty and students work across fields to address regional and global
challenges—whether in smart cities, sustainability or digital
governance. I believe that interdisciplinarity strengthens not only
research output but also teaching, as students see firsthand how
computing links to health, business, sustainability, and governance.
Relatedly, with such a strong publication record in high-impact
journals yourself, how do you see the research of AURAK faculty more
broadly translating in real-world solutions for the region? Could you
give some examples of notable projects or collaborations that to you
represent AURAK’s positive research footprint on the local area?
At AURAK, research is never confined to the academic sphere—it is
closely connected to solving real-world challenges that matter for Ras
Al Khaimah, the UAE and the broader region. Our faculty and students
work with local partners, industry and government entities to ensure
that academic inquiry translates to tangible outcomes.
For example, I am involved in a grant with colleagues under the
Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program to create a machine
learning-based decision-making tool that supports student progress,
directly contributing to educational development in the UAE.
Student-centered innovation is also a hallmark of AURAK. During the UAE
Hackathon 2.0, a team that I mentored pitched the idea of a food safety
reporting app to help residents notify authorities in real time about
food poisoning cases. Thanks to the creativity of this concept, the team
won second place. Other faculty-led initiatives, such as the application
of big data analytics in telecom and transportation, also demonstrate
how AURAK research responds to pressing technological and environmental
needs.
Institutionally, AURAK has built a strong ecosystem of applied
research. Our collaboration with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority
(RAKTA) has resulted in progressive projects on autonomous vehicle
integration, crowd management, dynamic pricing, emergency response,
smart routing, predictive maintenance and urban traffic control—all
advancing sustainability and efficiency in public transport. In
collaboration with the RAK Statistics Centre, we are conducting
socio-economic sentiment analysis to provide decision-makers with
actionable insights rooted in evidence.
Beyond transportation and data science, the Center for Outdoor Comfort
has shaped municipal policy by developing outdoor comfort guidelines now
adopted by the emirate, as well as a Decision Support Matrix for arid
agriculture that guides farming practices across the region. At the same
time, biotechnology research has gained momentum through our partnership
with Protium, while cybersecurity capacity is being expanded via a
collaboration with Zelar Soft, which has established the first
cybersecurity compliance center in Ras Al Khaimah. Looking ahead, the
university is also launching the Future Foresight Conference, designed
to strengthen ties between academia and industry while showcasing
applied research and case studies with real-world impact.
Taken together, these examples show how AURAK’s research footprint
extends across multiple sectors—education, public health,
transportation, agriculture, biotechnology and cybersecurity—while
consistently focusing on practical, locally relevant and globally
benchmarked solutions. This is how AURAK is steadily building a
reputation as a hub of innovation that not only advances scholarship but
also delivers measurable benefits to the community, economy and society
at large.
Many universities talk about innovation in abstract terms, but AURAK
is physically embedded in a rapidly developing region. How does the
physical and cultural environment of Ras Al Khaimah influence the kind
of innovation that happens here?
Ras Al Khaimah is a unique setting for innovation because it is
simultaneously rooted in cultural heritage and rapidly embracing
industrial and technological modernization. This dual character shapes
AURAK’s approach to innovation in a way that is responsive and
authentic. Being in Ras Al Khaimah means our students are constantly exposed to
real-world challenges—from environmental sustainability to industrial
efficiency. For example, one student-led project I was involved in used
Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to create a smart environment monitoring
system, directly inspired by the conditions of our region. Such projects
show how local context can spark applied research and practical
solutions. This ethos is amplified institutionally through the
Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence (ATAI) Center and the
Innovation Lab, where faculty and students collaborate on projects shaped
by regional needs. Current initiatives range from AI-powered Arabic
reading proficiency tests and driver drowsiness detection systems to
socio-educational decision-making tools. Others target sustainability and
healthcare, such as IoT-enabled agrivoltaics adapted to the UAE climate,
AI-powered photovoltaic panel cleaning, plant health diagnostics and
retinal imaging for early disease detection. These efforts ensure that
research at AURAK is never purely theoretical but applied directly to the
challenges facing our community.
The physical and cultural landscape of Ras Al Khaimah also fosters a
dynamic startup model, reflected in the work of the AURAK Center for
Entrepreneurship. Here, students and faculty incubate innovative ideas
ranging from EV charging solutions to a sustainable forest-based Living
Lab for arid agriculture. The culture of innovation is also visible
through events like TEDxAURAK: Impact Matters, the first TEDx event in
Ras Al Khaimah, which focused on AI, sustainability, and
entrepreneurship, and through competitions tied to the UN Sustainable
Development Goals and the circular economy.
Equally important is Ras Al Khaimah’s cultural diversity. With students
and faculty from over 45 nationalities, our community mirrors the
cosmopolitan nature of the UAE itself. This diversity fosters
creativity, resilience and collaboration, which are essential
ingredients for innovation.
In this sense, Ras Al Khaimah is not just the backdrop to innovation at
AURAK—it is an active driver. The emirate’s rapid growth and cultural
dynamism give our university a distinctive role as both a laboratory for
applied research and a bridge between tradition and cutting-edge
innovation.
Aside from your leadership position, you’ve also maintained a strong
teaching profile. How do your classroom experiences influence your
leadership and vice versa?
Teaching remains at the heart of my professional identity, and my
experiences in the classroom consistently inform my leadership
philosophy. I believe that policies and strategies at the institutional
level must ultimately be rooted in the lived experience of students and
faculty.
For example, when I co-design advisement policies or academic progress
procedures, I draw directly from what I see in my classes—students who
struggle with early programming concepts, or those who gain confidence
through group projects and gamification. My classroom experiences remind
me that resilience often comes from trial and error, and this principle
informs the way I approach academic appeals and student support systems
as Associate Provost.
Conversely, leadership responsibilities enrich my teaching. Oversight
of academic support services and exposure to institutional data on
student performance allow me to adapt my pedagogy. For instance, in
courses like Software Professional Practices, I incorporate ethical
dilemmas and case studies that reflect institutional challenges,
preparing students to become reflective practitioners.
Students often tell me that what they value most is not only content
knowledge but also mentorship. Whether through hackathons, research
projects or classroom competitions, I aim to give them confidence in
their abilities. That same mentoring ethos guides my leadership—ensuring
policies are not just rules, but mechanisms to support student
growth.
Beyond the material you cover across your syllabi, what do you hope
every AURAK student learns during their time here that will serve them
for life—something they might not realize until years after
graduation?
If I could identify one enduring lesson, it is the value of integrity
combined with resilience. In computer science, trial and error is the
norm, and failure is often the first step toward success. I want
students to see mistakes not as setbacks but as opportunities for
growth. Years after graduation, when they face challenges in their
careers, their persistence and adaptability will be powerful assets in
addressing those challenges.
Equally important is the commitment to academic integrity and ethical
use of technology. At AURAK, we emphasize this from the very beginning,
not only in computer science but across disciplines. Whether writing a
research paper, designing a secure system or using artificial
intelligence responsibly, the principle of integrity will serve them
well long after they leave the classroom.
Lastly, I hope students develop the confidence to lead. Many have told
me that their most transformative experiences came not from exams but
from hackathons, group projects or coding competitions where they had to
take initiative. These experiences prepare them to lead teams, innovate
responsibly and contribute positively to society.
Finally, as someone who balances so many roles, from administrative
leadership to research activity to thought leadership, what is your
long-term vision for AURAK as a part of the regional economy?
As Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, I do not see this as
advancing a personal vision, but rather contributing to the fulfillment
of AURAK’s institutional vision. AURAK is committed to becoming an
institution that embraces academic excellence, lifelong learning,
research and sustainability while preparing graduates for careers that
shape a better world.
That vision is broad, and the responsibility for achieving it is shared
across the university. My role is to contribute by ensuring that
academic policies, support structures and development initiatives are
aligned with this collective direction and complement the many efforts
already underway.
In this way, we sustain a student-centered environment where learners
are supported to succeed. We also promote transformational education
that equips students with knowledge and life skills, and encourage
research and scholarship that address issues of significance to Ras Al
Khaimah, the UAE and beyond. At the same time, we deepen community
engagement that benefits both students and society, and integrate
sustainability across all aspects of university life.
Ultimately, this is collaborative work. My contribution is to help
build the structures and culture that enable AURAK to realize its vision
and strategic goals. By staying aligned with our values of integrity,
diversity, excellence, academic freedom and sustainability, we ensure
that the university continues to serve as a vital contributor to the
knowledge economy and to the wider community it represents