School of Computer & IT - BNU

Dr. Shafaat Ahmed Bazaz, a distinguished academic and researcher, recently joined Beaconhouse National University (BNU) as the Dean of the School of Computer & IT, bringing extensive experience from academia and industry to his new role. Previously, he served as Director of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC) and Advisor to the Faculty of Engineering & Technology at Superior University, Lahore, where he was instrumental in transforming it into a leading research and development (R&D) organization with a focus on innovation and commercialization. At Sir Syed CASE Institute of Technology, Islamabad, as Founding Vice Chancellor and Professor, he introduced world-class academic programs in engineering, computing, business, and management, and managed the institute’s finances during challenging times while securing substantial research funding. Before his tenure at Sir Syed CASE Institute of Technology, Dr. Bazaz was a Foreign Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science & Engineering at Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), where he made significant contributions to MEMS research and established research labs. His industrial experience includes roles such as Senior Staff Scientist at the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation, managing MEMS programs, and Assistant Professor at Denmark Technical University, focusing on microsystems modeling and simulation. Dr. Bazaz’s strong collaboration with industry and academic institutions, both locally and internationally, includes developing syringe pumps for intensive care units and software tools for medical diagnostics. He has secured numerous research grants for pioneering projects in MEMS technology and healthcare, such as a MEMS gravimeter, high-resolution nano-g MEMS accelerometer, and indigenous automatic syringe pumps for COVID-19 patients. Dr. Bazaz is widely recognized for his academic research, with numerous publications in prestigious journals and presentations at international conferences. He has also served as an evaluator and reviewer for various academic and research institutions and has held leadership positions, including General Secretary of the Islamabad Chapter of the All Private Universities Association of Pakistan (APSUP). Dr. Shafaat Ahmed Bazaz brings a rich blend of academic expertise, industry experience, and leadership skills to his role at BNU, poised to significantly contribute to the institution's growth and development.

Ms. Shazia Rizwan, a Senior Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science, boasts 17 years of teaching experience in higher education. She serves as an external examiner for MS(TQM) thesis work at IQTM, Punjab University, and is also a dedicated Mozilla volunteer for Urdu localization. Her areas of special interest span Educational Quality Management and Database Design.

Dr. Natash Ali Mian is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Software Engineering at Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore. With a PhD and MS in Computer Science from SZABIST, Islamabad and NCBA&E, Lahore, respectively, he brings over 18 years of teaching and professional experience to his role. Dr. Mian has authored over 20 publications in international conferences and journals, presenting his research at various national and international forums. His areas of expertise include Software Engineering, Requirement Engineering, Database Modeling, and Software Quality Assurance, among others. He also serves as a supervisor and external examiner for undergraduate final year projects and MS/M.Phil theses at multiple universities, in addition to being a reviewer for numerous national and international journals.

Syed Nouman Ali Shah brings a decade of teaching experience coupled with two years of industry expertise to his role. His areas of interest encompass Software Design & Architecture, Algorithms Refinement, Design Patterns & Frameworks, Enterprise Systems, Information Systems Development & Management, Knowledge Management Systems, Technology Management & Consulting, and Technopreneurship, with a keen focus on Systems Thinking. Notably, he is a Professional Member of both the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) USA and the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) USA. Additionally, he has presented and published a paper in the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Business Management 2011, titled

Ms. Huda Sarfraz, holding the position of Senior Assistant Professor, is a distinguished academic with a rich background in speech and natural language processing. With seven years of dedicated research experience in these domains, she has contributed significantly to the field through her insightful investigations and scholarly endeavors. Ms. Sarfraz is also recognized for her role as an author of several research papers, demonstrating her expertise and commitment to advancing knowledge in her field. Beyond academia, she has served as a Mozilla regional representative and Urdu localization manager, showcasing her leadership skills and dedication to community engagement through volunteer positions. With her diverse experiences and expertise, Ms. Huda Sarfraz continues to make invaluable contributions to academia and the broader research community.

Mr. Asim Irshad, serving as a Lecturer, brings a wealth of practical experience and pedagogical expertise to his role. With a background as a full-stack mobile app developer for two years, he possesses comprehensive knowledge of mobile application development, honed through hands-on experience in the industry. Additionally, Mr. Irshad has served as a Computer Science instructor for 1.5 years, where he imparted his expertise to students in various courses including Front-end Web Development, Programming Fundamentals, ICT, and Mobile Computing. His role as an undergraduate final year student supervisor underscores his commitment to guiding and mentoring aspiring professionals, ensuring their successful transition from academia to the industry. Through his blend of industry experience and academic rigor, Mr. Asim Irshad plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of computer scientists and empowering them with the skills needed for success in the digital age.

Ms. Nimra Abbas is deeply immersed in the realms of information retrieval, text mining, and machine learning. With a focused research agenda, she delves into the intricate nuances of these fields, exploring novel methodologies and innovative approaches to uncover insights and drive advancements. Ms. Abbas brings a keen analytical mind and a passion for discovery to her role, continuously pushing the boundaries of knowledge and contributing to the ever-evolving landscape of computer science. Through her dedication to research excellence, she plays a vital role in expanding the frontiers of understanding in her areas of expertise, paving the way for transformative breakthroughs and real-world applications.

Ms. Hamna Anwar recently assumed the role of Lecturer at the School of Computer and Information Technology. She earned her Master's in Computer Science from FAST-National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad, in 2020. Prior to her current position, she gained valuable experience in the tech department at Telenor, Pakistan, where she excelled as a UI/UX Engineer. With a keen interest in UI/UX and Machine Learning, Ms. Anwar brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role, poised to make significant contributions to the field of computer science.

Ms. Rubab Nadeem is a dedicated Lecturer with a keen focus on mathematics. Her expertise lies in areas such as Partial Differential Equations, Calculus, Numerical Analysis, and Linear Algebra. With a solid foundation in both theoretical and applied mathematics, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her teaching. Additionally, Ms. Nadeem possesses advanced skills in programming languages such as Matlab and Python, enabling her to integrate computational methods seamlessly into her instructional approach. With a passion for mathematics and a commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts among her students, Ms. Nadeem is a valuable asset to the academic community.

Ms. Amna earned her undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore. She continued her academic journey by attending the Virginia Tech Graduate School, where she pursued studies in Computer Science & Applications while also serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. In 2015, Ms. Amna participated in the Women's Institute in Summer Enrichment (WISE) program, sponsored by the Team for Research in Ubiquitous Secure Technology (TRUST) at the University of California, Berkeley. Her academic achievements were recognized when she was awarded the Best Performance Gold Medal as Esena Foundation's Star Student in 2005.

Mr. Ubaidullah Azeem earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from NUST, SEECS Islamabad. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science at LUMS, focusing on areas such as Deep Learning and Computer Vision. Additionally, he has a strong interest in Generative AI and Language Models.

At BNU, Usman drives AI research and its practical applications, contributing to projects that address real-world challenges. Before joining BNU, he served as a Research Scientist at the Center for Urban Informatics, Technology, and Policy (CITY) at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), where he led impactful initiatives in poverty mapping and climate crisis mitigation, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford and the University of London. Usman earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from LUMS, during which he spent a year at the University of Leeds, UK, through a split-site PhD Scholarship. His dedication to leveraging technology for societal benefit has been recognized through various accolades, including the Facebook CV4GC award. His work is well-published in leading journals and conferences, further establishing his contributions to the field. For more information about Usman and his work, please visit his website: https://usmanweb.github.io/