Contributions to Academic Leadership and Services

Academic Leadership and Services

AIoT Impact Lab

I am the founder of AIoT Impact Lab. The AIoT Impact Lab is a research and innovation hub dedicated to harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to address real-world challenges. By fostering collaboration between researchers, students, and industry partners, the lab develops transformative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), driving sustainability, economic growth, and technological advancement in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

Course Leadership

I have an academic background from various universities and institutions, where I've served as a course leader and coordinator. In these positions, I've led teaching teams consisting of lecturers, tutors, and external mentors to align course content with industry needs and learning objectives. You can find a list of the courses I've contributed to in the Teaching section of this portfolio.

IT Professionals New Zealand

In 2021, I began my role at ITPNZ as an Auckland committee member, engaging with members and organizing student-centred events to foster connections with industry professionals. In November 2023, I was promoted to chair of the branch. In this capacity, I now lead a team of volunteers to enhance ITPNZ's presence in Auckland.

IEEE and Iranian Student Association

During my time at the National University of Malaysia (UKM), I held the role of Executive Committee Member at the IEEE Student Branch. In this capacity, I led fellow students in supporting IEEE conferences, workshops, and membership activities.

Furthermore, I was elected as President of the Iranian Students Association at UKM (ISAUKM), where I led a team of 15 individuals. Our focus was on providing academic, cultural, and student support services to over 1200 Iranian Masters and PhD students. My contributions as ISAUKM's President were recognised with the Vice Chancellor's Award of Excellence.

Shakiba Open Technical and Vocational Institute

I founded and directed the Shakiba Open Technical and Vocational Institute, overseeing a team of 28 staff and contractors. Our main goal was to create, teach, and pre-assess IT education for many students. In the summer of 2008, we achieved a remarkable 95% course completion rate and graduated over 1000 students.

Expo, Open Days, School Activities

Throughout my academic journey, I actively participated in various school activities. This included representing our school at educational and industrial expos, organising events and seminars, as well as assisting during open days by guiding students and families through their questions and inquiries. In my capacity, I work closely with teams and departments, both within our institute and externally, to coordinate and facilitate a diverse set of activities.

Industry Board Member

I hold esteemed positions on the following professional bodies and industry advisory committees:

IoT Forum New Zealand - Executive Council
IT Professionals New Zealand (ITPNZ) Auckland Branch, Chair
Unitec School of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology, Industry Advisory Committee Member
Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus, Industry Advisory Committee Member
Eastern Institute of Technology Auckland Branch, Industry Advisory Board Member
Future Skills Academy, Industry Advisory Committee Member

Industry Champion

In my role as an Industry Champion at Unitec's School of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology, I elevate the school's visibility and industry engagement. Noteworthy achievements include:

Securing industrial projects and guest speakers to enrich teaching and learning experiences (Please refer to the Teaching section under Teaching Collaboration).
Orchestrating industry-focused events to foster partnerships and expand our network of industry allies.
Strengthening student employability through involvement in industry-connect events, site visits, student showcases, internships and graduate programs.
Actively promoting both internal and external events to reach all students.
Facilitating and contributing to esteemed professional boards.

Some Testimonials on My Organisational Skills and Leadership:

Samples of Industrial Activities

AI Hackathon 2026 - Lead Organiser

AWS GenAI Hackathon 2024 - Judging Panel Members and Lead Organiser

Techweek 2023 - Speakers and Panel Members

Site Visit at Bank of New Zealand

Techweek 2022 (Read more about the event)

Alumni Champion

In my capacity as an Alumni Champion at Unitec's School of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology, I am dedicated to maintaining a strong connection with our graduates, offering ongoing support, and gleaning insights from their journeys.

Accomplishments include:

- Elevating graduate survey participation rates.
- Coordinating engaging alumni evenings.
- Identifying and extending invitations to accomplished alumni to join the industry advisory committee.
- Inviting successful alumni to share their valuable experiences with current students during classroom sessions.

Selected Alumni Activities Encompass:

Alumni Night

Alumni Talks

Alumni Prize Giving

TechTALK

Driven by a passion for educational empowerment and fostering connections, I founded TechTALK in 2018. Our mission: to bridge the academia-industry gap through networking and knowledge-sharing sessions. TechTALK is a dynamic initiative that cultivates dialogue among technological leaders, industry experts, innovators, educators, and learners. Our aim is to contribute to closing the STEM skill shortage.

With 28 seminars held, attracting over 3500 registrants from 22 countries, TechTALK has hosted 105 distinguished speakers representing 64 organizations. These seminars, sponsored by Universities and Te Pūkenga subsidiaries, are open to all, amplifying inclusivity and collaboration.

Here, I offer a glimpse of TechTALK's vibrant activities through accompanying photos. You can read more about TechTALK at out website.

Testimonial on TechTALK

I am not simply an academic who happens to do research, teach well and engage with industry. I have spent my career developing a distinctive model in which research, teaching, students, industry and external networks continually feed into one another. My current AIoT work is the maturation of that model.

I believe my academic portfolio demonstrates that I am a scholar who serves as a vital “connective tissue” between MITU, its students, and the global technology industry. My record of turning declining metrics into benchmarks of excellence and my success in securing commercialisation funding demonstrate leadership that transcends the role of a Senior Lecturer.

If I look at what ties research, teaching and institutional service together across this portfolio, it is leadership, not accumulation. Nineteen years ago, I was already running an institution rather than simply teaching in one, and every role I have since built, Industry Champion, Alumni Champion, TechTALK, the AIoT Impact Lab, the international consortium now taking shape, follows the same habit: notice the gap, propose something concrete, and stay to build it. What has changed is scale. I am no longer only building bridges for my own students and my own research. I am building the infrastructure, partnerships, and mentoring pathways that enable other researchers in the school to cross those bridges too. Associate Professor is the level at which that kind of leadership is expected and resourced, and it is the level at which I believe I am already operating.

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