Christian Schachtner | Data Science | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Christian Schachtner | Data Science | Research Excellence Award

Full Professor at Hochschule RheinMain, Germany

Prof. Dr. Christian Schachtner has made significant scholarly contributions through his monographs and editorial work in the fields of smart governance, smart cities, and digital transformation in the public sector. In 2025, he edited Smart Public Governance, a volume in the Kohlhammer Publishing series, scheduled for publication in the first quarter of 2026. He also co-edited, with M. Brunzel, the Handbook Smart Cities / Smart Regions, likewise forthcoming from Kohlhammer Publishing in early 2026. His edited book The European Smart City Movement  Case Studies from Around Europe, published by Springer in Chur, presents comprehensive insights into smart city practices across Europe. In the same year, he authored CDOs im öffentlichen Sektor – Perspektiven auf Chief Digital Officers und Strategien zur digitalen Transformation, published by Springer, which explores the evolving role of Chief Digital Officers in public administration. Collectively, these works highlight his expertise in digital governance, urban innovation, and strategic public-sector transformation.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

25
20
15
10
5
0

Citations
9

Documents
23

h-index
2

Citations

Documents

h-index

View Scopus Profile

Featured Publications

 

Hafiz Muhammad Raza ur Rehman | Data Science | Best Researcher Award 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Raza ur Rehman | Data Science | Best Researcher Award 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Raza ur Rehman | Yeungnam University | South Korea

Author Profiles

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Orcid

Google Scholar

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Raza ur Rehman began his academic journey with a strong foundation in information and communication engineering, culminating in a PhD from Yeungnam University, Korea. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for his later contributions in machine learning, multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), and data-science. His academic excellence and early engagement with algorithmic design and optimization established his trajectory as a dedicated researcher and educator in computational intelligence.

Professional Endeavors

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Raza ur Rehman pursued a postdoctoral research position in Korea, focusing on sensor calibration for autonomous vehicles (AVs). Over 5.5 months, he conducted high-level interdisciplinary work aimed at improving the precision and reliability of AV sensor systems. He also gained substantial teaching experience 9 months as an Assistant Professor where he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and data-science. In addition, his collaboration with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Korea, on a US Air Force–funded project, exemplified his ability to contribute to large-scale international research efforts.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Raza ur Rehman’s research portfolio reflects a deep commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary integration. His primary focus areas include multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), autonomous vehicle systems, natural language processing (NLP), and optimization algorithms. He has authored a patent centered on MARL techniques and published several impactful journal and conference papers. Key publications include “QsOD: MARL-based QMIX with Grey Wolf Optimization” and “Prediction-Based Model for Chemical Compounds.” Moreover, he has presented research such as “Camera Calibration with CNN” at IEEE conferences and six additional papers at Korean academic venues. His current research extends to seven articles under review in internationally reputed journals, reinforcing his commitment to advancing data-science and intelligent systems.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Raza ur Rehman’s interdisciplinary research bridges theory and application spanning from algorithmic optimization to real-world technological integration. His MARL-related patent and publications contribute significantly to the growing body of knowledge in intelligent agent systems. By integrating data-science with advanced computational models, his work influences emerging fields such as autonomous navigation, machine learning-based control systems, and intelligent automation. As a mentor, he continues to inspire students through hands-on projects, fostering innovation and critical thinking in the next generation of engineers and researchers.

Academic Cites

His scholarly output includes publications in peer-reviewed international journals, conference presentations, and ongoing submissions to high-impact outlets. The QsOD study and the chemical compound prediction model have attracted interest in computational optimization and artificial intelligence research circles. His IEEE presentation on CNN-based camera calibration further strengthened his academic visibility and recognition within the AI research community.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Raza ur Rehman aims to expand his research on multi-agent reinforcement learning, autonomous systems, and optimization-driven AI architectures. His future work is poised to contribute substantially to global research in data-science, particularly in developing adaptive, intelligent algorithms for complex real-world problems. Through continued teaching, mentorship, and publication, he aspires to leave a lasting legacy in both academia and applied research bridging the gap between theoretical innovation and practical technological advancement.

Featured Publications

Raza, S. N., ur Rehman, H. M., Lee, S. G., & Choi, G. S. (2019). Artificial intelligence-based camera calibration. 2019 15th International Wireless Communications & Mobile Computing Conference (IWCMC), 32. IEEE.

Nagulapati, V. M., ur Rehman, H. M. R., Haider, J., Qyyum, M. A., Choi, G. S., & Lim, H. (2022). Hybrid machine learning-based model for solubilities prediction of various gases in deep eutectic solvent for rigorous process design of hydrogen purification. Separation and Purification Technology, 298, 121651.

ur Rehman, H. M. R., On, B. W., Ningombam, D. D., Yi, S., & Choi, G. S. (2021). QSOD: Hybrid policy gradient for deep multi-agent reinforcement learning. IEEE Access, 9, 129728–129741.

ur Rehman, H. M. R., Saleem, M., Jhandir, M. Z., & Hafiz, H. G. I. A. (2025). Detecting hate in diversity: A survey of multilingual code-mixed image and video analysis. Journal of Big Data, 12(1), Article 5.

Younas, R., ur Rehman, H. M. R., Lee, I., On, B. W., Yi, S., & Choi, G. S. (2025). Sa-MARL: Novel self-attention-based multi-agent reinforcement learning with stochastic gradient descent. IEEE Access, 13, Article 5.

Khan, N. U., & ur Rehman, H. M. R. (2025). Real time signal decoding in closed loop brain computer interface for cognitive modulation. Ubiquitous Technology Journal, 1(1), 32–39.

ur Rehman, H. M. R., Haider, S. A., Faisal, H., Yoo, K. Y., Jhandir, M. Z., & Choi, G. S. (2025). A novel framework for Saraiki script recognition using advanced machine learning models (YOLOv8 and CNN). IEEE Access, 13, Article 2.

Natasha Nigar | Machine Learning | Best Researcher Award

🌟Dr. Natasha Nigar, Machine Learning, Best Researcher Award🏆

Doctorate at UET, Pakistan

Dr. Natasha Nigar is a highly accomplished computer scientist with a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham, UK, and extensive experience in academia, industry, and research. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan. Her expertise spans various domains including software engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science. Dr. Nigar is known for her contributions to peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and book chapters, as well as her active involvement in teaching and mentoring students.

Author Metrics:

Scopus Profile

Dr. Nigar has a prolific publication record, with numerous peer-reviewed journal papers, conference presentations, and book chapters to her name. Her research contributions are widely recognized in the academic community, as evidenced by her publication in prestigious journals and conferences. Additionally, her work has garnered attention through citations and collaborations with other researchers in the field.

Publications:

Nigar and Natasha have collectively authored 11 documents.

Citations:

Their work has received a total of 50 citations from 47 documents.

h-index:

The h-index, which measures both the productivity and impact of the publications, is 5. This means that they have at least 5 papers that have been cited at least 5 times each.

Education:

Dr. Nigar holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham, UK, earned in 2021. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her MSc and BSc in Computer Science at the University of Engineering and Technology in Pakistan. Her educational background has provided her with a solid foundation in computer science principles and methodologies, which she applies in her research and teaching endeavors.

Research Focus:

Dr. Nigar’s research focuses on several key areas within computer science, including:

  • Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and healthcare systems
  • Software project scheduling and management
  • Deep learning and artificial intelligence applications
  • Image processing and classification algorithms
  • Agile methodologies and software quality assurance

Professional Journey:

Dr. Nigar’s professional journey encompasses both academic and industry roles. She has held positions as a software engineer, senior software quality assurance engineer, lab engineer, and research associate before transitioning to academia as an Assistant Professor. Her diverse experiences have shaped her expertise in various aspects of computer science, from practical software development to theoretical research and teaching.

Honors & Awards:

Throughout her career, Dr. Nigar has received recognition for her academic achievements and contributions to the field of computer science. Some notable honors and awards include:

  • Winner of the ‘Student Futures Competition’ at the University of Birmingham, UK
  • Travel grants to participate in prestigious conferences such as ICSE and SSBSE
  • Top positions in competitions and scholarships during her academic journey

Publications Noted & Contributions:

Dr. Nigar has made significant contributions to the body of knowledge in computer science through her publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and book chapters. Her research papers cover a wide range of topics including IoT healthcare systems, software project scheduling, deep learning for image classification, and more. These publications demonstrate her expertise and impact in advancing the field of computer science through rigorous research and innovation.

Title: An Intelligent Framework Based on Deep Learning for Online Quran Learning during Pandemic

  • Authors: Nigar, N.; Wajid, A.; Ajagbe, S.A.; Adigun, M.O.
  • Journal: Applied Computational Intelligence and Soft Computing
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 2023
  • Pages: 5541699
  • Citations: 0

Title: A Novel Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm to Address Turnover in the Software Project Scheduling Problem Based on Best Fit Skills Criterion

  • Authors: Nigar, N.; Shahzad, M.K.; Islam, S.; Oki, O.; Lukose, J.M.
  • Journal: IEEE Access
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 11
  • Pages: 89742–89756
  • Citations: 0

Title: IoMT Meets Machine Learning: From Edge to Cloud Chronic Diseases Diagnosis System

  • Authors: Nigar, N.; Jaleel, A.; Islam, S.; Shahzad, M.K.; Affum, E.A.
  • Journal: Journal of Healthcare Engineering
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 2023
  • Pages: 9995292
  • Citations: 7

Title: Multi-Objective Dynamic Software Project Scheduling: A Novel Approach to Handle Employee’s Addition

  • Authors: Nigar, N.; Shahzad, M.K.; Islam, S.; Oki, O.; Lukose, J.
  • Journal: IEEE Access
  • Year: 2023
  • Status: Article in Press
  • Citations: 4

Additionally, there is a book chapter authored by Ajagbe, S.A. and others, which includes contributions from Nigar: 5. Title: Cyber-Physical Systems Security: Analysis, Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects

  • Authors: Awotunde, J.B.; Oguns, Y.J.; Amuda, K.A.; Olagunju, K.M.; Ajagbe, S.A. (includes contributions from Nigar, N.)
  • Book: Advances in Information Security
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 102
  • Pages: 21–46
  • Citations: 4
  • Abstract: [This link is disabled.]

Research Timeline:

Dr. Nigar’s research journey has evolved over the years, starting from her early contributions as a research associate and software engineer to her current role as an Assistant Professor. Her timeline includes milestones such as completing her PhD, presenting at international conferences, publishing in renowned journals, and receiving awards for her research achievements. This timeline reflects her dedication to continuous learning, innovation, and scholarly pursuits in computer science.

Collaborations and Projects:

Dr. Nigar has been actively involved in collaborations with other researchers, both within academia and industry. These collaborations have resulted in joint research projects, co-authored publications, and knowledge exchange initiatives. Through her partnerships, she has contributed to interdisciplinary research efforts and tackled complex challenges in areas such as healthcare, software engineering, and AI. Her collaborative approach underscores the importance of teamwork and knowledge sharing in advancing scientific discovery and innovation.