Biography
Ahmad Waqas is a dedicated educator and scholar in computer science whose work spans more than a decade and a half across the U.S. and South Asia. He currently teaches foundational and advanced courses including Programming, Data Structures, Systems Programming, Discrete Math, Algorithmic Techniques and Compiler Construction at FIU, where he serves the next generation of computing professionals with a mission of inclusion, innovation and impact.
Before joining FIU, Waqas played key leadership roles at Sukkur IBA University (Pakistan), where he founded the BS and MS programs in Artificial Intelligence and served on the Academic Council and Syndicate. His drive to establish robust academic programs contributed significantly to the institution’s recognition and growth.
Waqas has published extensively in the fields of cloud computing, distributed systems and artificial intelligence, and he has served as an editor, technical committee member and conference chair. He is deeply committed to mentoring students from historically under-represented groups and to fostering learning environments where all students thrive.
At the heart of his professional identity is a vision to combine rigorous inquiry with inclusive pedagogy, preparing students not only to solve computing challenges, but to lead ethically, think creatively and transform communities.
Awards & Honors
- Tom Carskadon Research Award, for research on Software Development Team Composition, 2017
- Gold Medal, Self-Securing Architecture for Federated Clouds, International Research Innovation and Invention Exhibition (IRIIE), Malaysia, 2014
- Best Paper Awards, multiple international conferences, 2014 - to date
- Silver Medal, PGSC, International Islamic University Malaysia, 2013
- Bronze Medal, PGSC, International Islamic University Malaysia, 2012
- Merit Position, Master of Science (Computer Communication and Networks), Sukkur IBA University, 2012
- Merit Position, Master of Computer Science, University of Karachi, 2008
- First Place, Application Software Development, 5th Software Exhibition, Academy of Business Computers, 2003
Education
- Ph.D., Computer Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 2016
- MS, Computer Communication and Networks, Sukkur IBA University, 2012
- MCS, Computer Science, University of Karachi, 2008
- BS, Computer Science, University of Karachi, 2006