For expanding awareness of project management in research and university settings

Assistant Professor at CECOS University | Peshawar, Pakistan

Syed Saad is an accomplished academic, digital education advocate and tireless mentor for his students in Pakistan. Recognized for his outstanding research contributions, he has received accolades such as the Outstanding Research Performance Award from Universiti Teknologi Petronas and recognition as a research head at CECOS University of Information Technology and Emerging Sciences in Pakistan.

As chief research officer at CECOS University, Syed's research interests include a wide range of cutting-edge technologies in the field of civil engineering, including building information modeling, the Internet of things, robotics, digital twins, cyber physical systems, automated progress monitoring, and artificial intelligence (AI).

What makes Syed truly stand out however, is the awe-inspiring mentorship he freely gives to his engineering students – from undergraduates to post-graduates. At the university, Syed even pioneered a research hierarchy aimed at equipping students for international scholarships and academic publishing. One of his students, Muhammad Umair, writes that Syed’s efforts at CECOS University “has been instrumental in providing students like me with the tools to excel, including guidance on international scholarships, getting published high-impact journals, and networking with industry leaders at key conferences. His passion for mentorship and leadership is evident in every interaction, motivating and inspiring students to achieve their fullest potential.”

Part of Syed’s appeal also lies in modernizing educational practices in the country. By teaching students about the power of positive marketing and the benefits of engaging with platforms like LinkedIn, students who are part of his research cluster (individuals who are focused on information technology and emerging sciences in a university research group), have begun to earn “LinkedIn Top Voice” badges and Mendeley Research Advisors title for the first time in the region.

His work also extends to addressing student mental health wellness, arranging several seminars on the topic to remove this topic’s stigma in Pakistan. Syed’s prolific writing output includes more than 70 publications across journals, conferences, and book chapters, as well as actively reviewing for prestigious journals including Elsevier and Springer. In response to the AI boom, Syed’s research group developed a groundbreaking book titled AI in Material Science: Revolutionizing Construction in the Age of Industry 4.0, the first of its kind at CECOS University. The work explores the transformative impact of AI on material science and construction industry practices in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 tech industry today.

A former fellow cluster researcher and author Kumeel Rasheed writes, “Syed is a true professional, with a deep understanding of his field and an unwavering commitment to excellence. What sets him apart is his ability to make the complex approachable and enable his fellow researchers to go beyond the textbook and truly understand the material.”