Muhammad Iftikhar Umrani, PhD Researcher at Walton Institute at South East Technological University (Ireland), recently spent time on secondment at Millennium Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship (MiTE) and DHA Suffa University (DSU) in Karachi, Pakistan.
Iftikhar who is currently working on the UAVSec project, addressing the challenge of AI-enabled Cybersecurity of UAVs in 6G Networks funded by Research Ireland and the CONNECT Centre, was delighted to have the opportunity to visit MiTE and DHA Suffa choosing both institutions because of the vibrant platforms they offer for engaging with researchers and experts in cybersecurity and emerging technologies. These visits also aligned with the COALESCE project’s goal of promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance data-driven and secure systems.
During Iftikhar’s secondment at MiTE, he delivered a guest talk on ‘The Critical Role of Cybersecurity in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)’ at the 1st MiTE International Conference on Evolving Technologies in Computing (MICETC). While at DHA Suffa University, Iftikharpresented on the topic of ‘Understanding Drone Technology: Opportunities and Cybersecurity Challenges’.
“The secondment allowed me to present my UAVSec research in an international forum, gaining feedback to refine my work, and engage in interactive discussions on AI-driven optimisation strategies for data security and smart systems. It also provided enhanced networking opportunities and enabled me to gain insights into cross-domain applications for UAV cybersecurity,” explained Iftikhar.
He added, “My biggest takeaway was the importance of collaborative research and knowledge sharing to address cybersecurity and data optimisation challenges. The positive response also highlighted the growing interest in cybersecurity applications in emerging technologies.”
Going forward Iftikhar hopes to continue strengthening the connections he established in Pakistan and to further develop collaborative research outcomes and publications.
