Mentors

Dr. Farrah Arif as a Commonwealth scholar, obtained a PhD from the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. She is also a certified Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), UK.

In 2012 she was awarded the Brenda M. Derby Memorial Award at the AMA Marketing & Public Policy Conference to recognise the policy implications of her research. She has published research articles and cases in international journals including Journal of Business Research, Journal of Research for Consumers and Asian Case Research Journal.

Farrah has been teaching in business schools (Pakistan and abroad) since 1999. During her period at the University of Cambridge (2008-2012), she tutored undergraduates for quantitative data analyses and marketing, and was appointed as an academic supervisor for MPhil students’ business consultancy projects. Currently, she teaches Consumer Behavior and Marketing Research to MBA and Marketing Management, Business Strategy, and New Product Development to EMBA.

Farrah is actively involved in the executive education. She has designed and delivered executive programmes for MNCs and local companies including Telenor Pakistan, Packages Limited, Bulleh Shah Packaging Limited and Coffey International Limited.

Dr. Zartash Uzmi received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford in 2002. His graduate research focused on Multi-user Detection for CDMA systems in which he devised schemes and algorithms for practical implementation of multi-user detectors. Within this segment, he is heading the efforts in route aggregation, MPLS restoration routing, wide area Ethernet services, class-based preemption techniques, and multi-hop cellular networks.

Dr. Uzmi is also the Founder of Simplicant, which is a next-generation recruiting platform that captures the power of social networking into the team building process. Some of the most demanding and rapidly growing organizations use Simplicant’s web-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings to effectively engage with the right talent, collaborate efficiently and build great teams. Simultaneously, he is also serving as a Director with Confiz, which is a full-service technology company with a proven track record of producing high performance mobility solutions and portal applications. Through-out its history, Confiz has expanded its offerings and capitalized on evolving technology trends to better serve its clients.

Previously, Dr. Uzmi has held positions at Nokia Research Center, Bell Laboratories, PTCL and Hewlett Packard Company. He has been a faculty member of LUMS since 2002. At LUMS, his research is focused on scalable network design for wide-area deployments and wireless applications.

Dr. Mumraiz holds a PhD in Computer Sciences from the University of Waikato, New Zealand and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Dr. Mumraiz has produced several publications on ICT related subjects including: Semantic In-Network Complex Event Detection for Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks, Transactions on Sensor Networks, CatchIt – Capturing Situational Context in an Augmented Memory System, Energy Efficient Context Aware Routing in Heterogeneous WSN, Distributed Event Based Systems, SEPSen: Semantic Event Processing at the Senor Nodes for Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks, Cost Analysis for Complex In-Network Event processing in Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks; and In-Network Semantic Data Integration for Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks.

Dr. Samad has done his PhD from the University of Georgia, U.S.A in Computer Sciences. He also holds various certifications in C++, Scalable Machine Learning, Big Data in Education with Apache Spark, Data Science and Machine Learning Essentials (Regression, Hadoop Platform and Application Framework, Big Data Analytics and Python for Data Science and Statistical Learning.

Dr. Samad started with an interest in algorithm design, computational complexity analysis, and theory of computation with applications in bioinformatics, particularly designing efficient parameterized algorithms based on techniques in Algorithmic Graph Theory. He was a key member of the RNA-Informatics Lab at the University of Georgia. His keen interests are carrying out researches on social network analysis, machine learning, Big Data platforms, etc.

Dr. Anayat Ullah did his PhD in Optoelectronics from Great Institute of Nanostructure Technologies and Analytics (INA) at the Uni-Kassel in Germany and an MS in Electrical Communication Engineering Germany. He has previously served as a Lecturer at the Uni-Kassel in Germany and Operations Engineer Switching Network Regional Head at PTCL.

Dr. Bushra Naeem holds a PhD (Electrical Engineering) from University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Generic Vertical Handover Framework for Heterogeneous Network and MSc (Engineering and Management) from University of Exeter, UK. She is affiliated with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) as a Registered Engineer, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Women in Engineering (WIE).

She has written research papers on various Emerging Wireless Communications topics including: Optimized Dynamic Cell Selection Approach towards Intercell Interference Reduction for Cell-Edge Users In LTE-A Network, Understanding the Challenges Towards Implementation of the 5G Wireless Networks, Exploring the Open Problems and Future Trends in the Field of Heterogeneous Wireless Network, Seamless Vertical Handover in WiFi and WiMAX Networks using RSS and Motion Detection: An Investigation, A Software Radio Design Approach for Heterogeneous Wireless Access Protocol Transceivers, Link Capacity Based Channel Assignment (LCCA) for Cognitive Radio Wireless Mesh Networks, Prediction Based Vertical Handovers in Heterogeneous Networks Using Fuzzy Logic, Outage Probability Analysis for Densely Deployed Small Cell Networks and Performance Analysis of Vehicular Cell And Fixed Cell In LTE Network.

Dr. Bakhtiar holds a PhD in Computer Sciences from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a member of IEEE Professional, ACM Professional and is a PEC Registered Engineer.

His areas of specialization include Global Software Development, while focusing on: Machine Learning, Big Data Analysis, Multi-labeled textual data and Dynamic analysis for Identification of Artificial Dependency.

Faisal Ahmad Khan, Pro Vice Chancellor at BUITEMS, holds a PhD and MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. His area of specialization include, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physical and MAC-Layer Design, Network Security, Mobile Computing, Network Simulation: Network Simulator-3 (ns-3) TraNS mobility simulator, Instrumentation and Measurement: Radio Propagation Simulator (RPS) , Test Mobile System (TEMS), Wireshark, Computer Programming: C, C++, Java, JavaScript and Java Servlets.

Ismail is a highly experienced leader and strategic thinker with intimate knowledge of Pakistan’s industrial and energy sector. Established businesses and developed markets in various sectors with deep insight on strategic planning, financial management and team building. Extensive Business Development and Key Account management experience of international as well as domestic customers. He secured his MBA degree from Santa Clara University in the US and has an MSc in Mechanical engineering from University of Michigan, US.

He is currently working as a Business Manager for AKZO Nobel Pakistan. Prior to that, he served as the country manager for Buhler Ag and as senior manager for Descon engineering. Ismail also has experience working in organizations based in the US.

Mr. M. Imtiaz Khalid, CEO Multitek Marketing & Services, CEO MF Batteries has over 30 years of business management, consulting and training experience. He has started and expanded several companies in Pakistan and the Middle East. His area of business expertise includes overall management, planning, coordination and marketing. He has in-depth understanding of the working of the private sector, government, donors and international development agencies by extensive working experience with these organizations.

Imtiaz is a skilled and experienced trainer and facilitator with skills in training needs assessment, program design, material development, conducting / evaluating training, training of trainer and training methodology. He has well developed knowledge and skills in the areas of entrepreneurship development, project formulations, enterprise development and income generation / micro enterprise development. He is a Certified Human Systems Development consultant and a Certified Entrepreneurship Development consultant. He is professionally trained in Inland and Foreign Exchange Banking and his Academic qualifications include postgraduate studies in Economics.

Mr. Rafiq Jaffer, Director, Institute of Social Sciences (established in 1978), is a research, training, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation consultant and author in the field of human resource and organizational development. He has conducted research, trainings, evaluations, and workshops with over 8000 staff of over 10 UN agencies, more than 20 multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, over 20 government ministries and departments, more than 300 national and 50 international NGOs, in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Africa. He has written 4 books and over 250 research and workshop reports, papers and training manuals, many of which have been published in Pakistan, USA, UK, Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands. He has conducted several programs on Entrepreneurship Development.

Rafiq did his M.A Psychology from Government College, Lahore. He also worked as Lecturer, Gordon College, Rawalpindi (1975-76), Applied Psychology, Punjab University (1976-82), Assistant Professor at Govt. College of Science Education, Lahore (1982-1989), Project Coordinator, UNICEF/WHO Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes (1982-1986), Education Programme Officer Aga Khan Foundation (1989-90), Professor of Education & Head In-Service Division Ali Institute of Education (1995-96). He was the Chief Pakistani Consultant, GeoSpatial/ Salasan Program Monitor and Technical Advisor, CIDA Democratic Governance Program (2002-2009) and the CIDA/UNIFEM consultant for the Institutional Strengthening of HomeNet Pakistan (2009-2010).

Mr. Almas Hyder, CEO, SPEL Group (B.Sc. Engg. UET) is a renowned entrepreneur. He has setup several companies manufacturing packaging and engineering products, as well as trading companies. The companies have developed technologies for parts of auto and off road vehicles, which are finding markets both locally and in the first world. Mr. Hyder has also served many public organizations at senior positions, including CEO, Engineering Development Board, GoP; Founder Chairman, Technology Upgradation and Skill Development Company; Chairman, Steering Committee for Engineering Vision 2012; Chairman, TQM Bureau; first President of Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate Board; Chairman, Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre. 553

He is on the Board of many public bodies, including Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA); Punjab Skill Development Fund (PSDF); Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Go Punjab; National Transmission and Despatch Company, Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation; Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company; National Steering Committee on TQM & Productivity, Planning Commission of Pakistan; Federal Export Board; Advisory Council of the Ministry of Commerce. He is also on the Board of several public academic institutions, including Academic Council of GC University, Lahore, Advanced Studies & Research Board, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore. He is currently the Senior Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He is a Certified Entrepreneurship Development consultant has conducted several programs on Entrepreneurship Development.

Salman is a result-oriented, high-energy, hands-on professional with domestic and international experience with a successful record of accomplishments in high tech industry, training and education. His major strengths include strong leadership, excellent communication skills, commitment, competent, strong team player, attention to detail, and administrative tasks. He is the currently the director for HiEnergy Services, a company that provides solar solutions in Pakistan. Additionally, He has held reputable positions in multiple organisations like Smart Brain (Learning Center with STEM Labs), QExpress (E-commerce Portal for businesses), Amanut Society (Set up computer labs for under privileged schools for girls). Salman Farooq possess years of experience with setting up his own companies like Asia Pacific Institute for Information Technology in Sri Lanka, and QSystem Computers in the US.

Abdul has 26 years of work experience across management roles. He is currently running a software development company called LumenSoft Technologies. LumenSoft is a product based IT consulting company has specialized in retail software solutions. The company formed in February 2000 has become biggest retail software solution provider in Pakistan. He has also worked in PTCL as a divisional engineer and developed and Implemented “Operations Management System” for Digital Exchanges. The software is working at more than 10 different sites in Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd. (PTCL) and has contributed significantly towards improvement in Revenue.

He has also taught different courses such as software development processes at LUMS, UMT, Punjab University, and Informatics (Beacon-House) as visiting faculty. Abdul Aziz holds a bachelor in Electrical Engineering (Communications), Masters in Business Administration (Marketing), and MS degree holder in Computer Science.

He is a design thinking driven Digital Transformation innovator and facilitator with a passion for product creations that make the world a better place while inspiring zealous loyalty and catalyzing referrals from delighted customers. Shahid is adept at putting creative insights into action with flawless execution to generate continuous, sustainable business growth. He practices servant-leadership to develop high-performance teams and influence all levels of an organization.