Abdullahi Arabo | Malware Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Abdullahi Arabo | Malware Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Abdullahi Arabo University of the West of England, United Kingdom

Summary:

Dr. Abdullahi Arabo is an accomplished academic and researcher with extensive expertise in cyber science, network security, and educational pedagogy. Currently serving as an Associate Professor of Cyber Science at the University of the West of England, he is responsible for research, teaching, learning, and pedagogical development. Dr. Arabo mentors staff and students, contributes to strategic development and policy formation, and holds several leadership roles, including Programme Leader for the MSc Cyber Security. He has also engaged in consultancy roles with CEG Digital and Coventry University, where he mentors master and PhD students and helps develop inclusive and innovative curricula. Dr. Arabo has a rich history of academic involvement, previously serving as a Senior Lecturer and leader of various research units and programmes at the University of the West of England and a Sessional Tutor at WMG, Warwick University.

Profile:

Education:

Dr. Abdullahi Arabo earned his PhD in Network Security from Liverpool John Moore’s University, where he studied from 2007 to 2011. His thesis was titled “User-Centred and Context-Aware Identity Management in MANets.” Prior to this, he completed his MEng (Hons) in Computing at Swansea University from 2004 to 2007.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Abdullahi Arabo has been serving as an Associate Professor of Cyber Science at the University of the West of England since August 2023. In this role, he is responsible for research, teaching, learning, and pedagogical development. He mentors other staff, develops, and evaluates degree and research projects and programmes both internally and externally. Dr. Arabo contributes to various UWE strategic development, policies, and regulations by invitation. He also serves as a Quality Assurance Specialist and leads the UWE-wide Awarding Gap Community of Practice (CoP). Furthermore, he is a member of the APP Monitoring Group, the Artificial Intelligence in Education Working Group, and the Assessment Offence Officers Working Group, where he leads a sub-group on AI in Assessment Offences. Dr. Arabo is also a member of CREC CATE, an elected UWE Academic Board Member representing teaching staff for the college on the Learning, Teaching, and Student Experience Committee, responsible for academic governance, academic standards, and the quality of the student experience. Additionally, he is a member of the School Board of Studies and the Programme Leader for the MSc Cyber Security. Since May 2023, Dr. Arabo has been engaged with CEG Digital in a consultancy role, mentoring master students and contributing to pedagogy developments for other universities partnered with CEG. This role also involves mentoring PhD students and contributing to other offerings from CEG. From April 2023 to November 2023, he consulted with Coventry University, mentoring master cyber security students and assisting university staff in delivering an up-to-date, inclusive, and innovative curriculum, sharing his practices to enhance the wider education sector. Previously, from 2013 to July 2023, Dr. Arabo was a Senior Lecturer in Computer Networks and Mobile at the University of the West of England, where he led the Cyber Security Research Unit Programme (CSRU), now UWECyber. He was also the Leader of the BSc (Hons) Enterprise Computing and played a significant role in developing the MSc Cyber Security programme. He was actively involved in teaching, research, knowledge exchange, and outreach activities and initiatives. Between 2021 and February 2023, Dr. Arabo served as a Sessional Tutor at WMG, Warwick University, supervising MSc Cyber Security Engineering projects. This consultancy was by invitation and provided a transformative learning experience for the four students he mentored and WMG as a whole. Since 2021, Dr. Arabo has been involved with NCC Education in a consultancy role, contributing to content development for the cloud virtualisation and security module, delivery, partnership development, and accreditations.

Awards:

Dr. Abdullahi Arabo has received several prestigious awards in recognition of his contributions to the field of cyber security and education. Notably, he has been honored with the Most Cited Papers award for his impactful research publications. Additionally, he has received the Best Paper award at conferences, acknowledging the excellence and significance of his research work. These accolades reflect Dr. Arabo’s commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in his field.

Patents:

Dr. Abdullahi Arabo holds several patents in the field of network security. He, along with F. El-Mousa and T. Dimitrakos, was granted patents for “Sandboxing User Access on Mobile Device” with EU filing numbers E01733 and E01733b. Additionally, Dr. Arabo and his colleagues have a pending patent titled “Sandboxing Mobile Behaviour Based on Running Environment” in the United Kingdom, with filing number A32401, which was issued in February 2013 and is awaiting a decision.

Publications:

COVID-19 pandemic cybersecurity issues

Authors: B Pranggono, A Arabo

Citations: 269

Year: 2021

Mobile malware and smart device security: Trends, challenges and solutions

Authors: A Arabo, B Pranggono

Citations: 91

Year: 2013

Cyber security challenges within the connected home ecosystem futures

Authors: A Arabo

Citations: 78

Year: 2015

Detecting ransomware using process behavior analysis

Authors: A Arabo, R Dijoux, T Poulain, G Chevalier

Citations: 70

Year: 2020

Privacy in the age of mobility and smart devices in smart homes

Authors: A Arabo, I Brown, F El-Moussa

Citations: 69

Year: 2012

MIAEC: Missing data imputation based on the evidence chain

Authors: X Xu, W Chong, S Li, A Arabo, J Xiao

Citations: 46

Year: 2018

Identity management in the internet of things: The role of MANETs for healthcare applications

Authors: C Chibelushi, A Eardley, A Arabo

Citations: 39

Mashel Gonyora | Digital Forensics | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Mashel Gonyora, Digital Forensics, Best Researcher Award

Mashel Gonyora at University of Strathclyde, South Africa

Mr. Mashel Gonyora holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Management College of Southern Africa, South Africa, and a B-Tech in Industrial Engineering from the University of South Africa. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, UK. Mr. Gonyora has extensive professional experience in Safety, Health, Environment, Quality (SHEQ), and Integrated Management Systems, with notable achievements and awards in these fields.

Profile:

Education:

Mr. Mashel Gonyora holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Management College of Southern Africa, South Africa, and a B-Tech in Industrial Engineering from the University of South Africa. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, UK.

Professional Experience:

Mr. Mashel Gonyora has a wealth of experience in Safety, Health, Environment, Quality (SHEQ), and Integrated Management Systems (IMS). He has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in these areas throughout his career. His professional journey includes roles such as Manager SHE – Enablement, Compliance & Assurance at SASOL South Africa Pty Limited, where he played a key role in improving operational performance through effective strategies and successful project delivery within budgetary constraints. He managed business SHEQ delivery strategy, ensured system compliance, conducted reviews for continuous improvement, and formulated strategic plans aligned with business requirements. Mr. Gonyora’s contributions have been recognized with awards such as the Senior Vice President Individual Award for his special efforts in safety, health, and environment. His experience also includes roles as a SHEQ Manager at BP Mpumalanga – South Africa, where he oversaw site security, risk management, incident investigation, contractor management, and road safety. His career reflects a strong commitment to driving excellence in safety, health, environmental management, and quality assurance.

Research Interest:

Mr. Mashel Gonyora’s research interests are primarily focused on Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ) management systems, with a specific emphasis on integrated management systems (IMS) and their implementation in industrial settings. He is interested in exploring innovative approaches to enhance organizational performance in terms of safety, health, and environmental sustainability while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices. Additionally, Mr. Gonyora is interested in research related to risk assessment, incident investigation, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement methodologies in SHEQ management. His research aims to contribute valuable insights and practical solutions to enhance safety culture, mitigate risks, and promote sustainable practices in industrial environments.

Publication Top Noted:

Title: Investigating the relationship between human and organisational factors, maintenance, and accidents. The case of chemical process industry in South Africa

  • Cited by: Not specified
  • Year: 2024
  • Journal: Safety Science
  • Volume: 176
  • Page: 106530

Shafi Md Mostofa | Cybersecurity | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shafi Md Mostofa, Cybersecurity, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dr. Shafi Md Mostofa (PhD) is an esteemed theologian and security studies scholar with a diverse array of research interests spanning political Islam, authoritarianism, modern South Asian history and politics, and international relations, particularly focusing on the clash of civilizations. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Arts, where he imparts his expertise to students. Additionally, he holds the position of Adjunct Lecturer at the University of New England, Australia, contributing to the academic community on an international scale.

Dr. Mostofa’s contributions extend beyond the classroom, as he serves as a senior visiting fellow at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science. With a commitment to scholarly dissemination, he has published extensively with leading academic publishers such as Routledge, Springer, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, SAGE, Brill, Wiley, and Blackwell. His works have also appeared in esteemed journals including Politics and Religion, Critical Studies on Religion, Politics and Policy, Perspectives on Terrorism, Diaspora Studies, and Asian and African Studies.

profile

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (History and Peace Studies)

  • Institution: University of New England
  • Faculty: Humanities, Arts, Social Science and Education
  • Time Frame: 2016-2020
  • Result: Awarded

Master of Philosophy (First Part)

  • Institution: University of Dhaka
  • Department: World Religions and Culture
  • Year: 2012 (Held at 2013)
  • Result: Passed

Master of Arts

  • Institution: University of Dhaka
  • Department: World Religions and Culture
  • Year: 2010 (Held at 2011)
  • Result: 1st Class First (First Position, Gold Medal)

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – 4 Years Program

  • Institution: University of Dhaka
  • Department: World Religions and Culture
  • Year: 2009 (Held at 2010)
  • Result: 1st Class First (First Position)
Professional Experience
Dr. Shafi Md. Mostofa has an extensive professional background and affiliations in teaching and research. He currently serves as a Senior Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science since January 2024, where he holds the prestigious Charles Wallack Fellowship. Additionally, he has been an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of New England, Australia since 2020.

Dr. Mostofa is also actively engaged in academia as an Associate Professor at the Department of World Religions and Culture, University of Dhaka, a position he has held since November 30, 2022. Prior to this, he served as an Assistant Professor at the same department from November 22, 2015, to November 29, 2022. He began his academic career as a Lecturer at the Department of World Religions and Culture, University of Dhaka, from October 3, 2012, to November 21, 2015.

Beyond academia, Dr. Mostofa has contributed significantly as a Guest Editor for the Journal of World Affairs, published by SAGE in the USA, and as a Country Analyst for The Diplomat Media Limited, also in the USA. Moreover, he has been an active member of the Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue Centre at the University of Dhaka since 2015.

In addition to his teaching and research roles, Dr. Mostofa has served as a Teaching Assistant at the University of New England, Australia since May 2017, and as a Guest Lecturer in Political and International Studies at the same institution in 2017. He also held an adjunct position at Bangladesh University of Textile from 2014 to 2016.

Dr. Mostofa’s teaching expertise spans various subjects, including Comparative Religion, Introduction to Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Religion and International Relations, Sociology of Religion, History of Europe, Christian Religious Tradition, Jewish Religious Tradition, Islam and Some Contemporary Issues, Religious Beliefs and Practice of North America, and Chinese Religious Traditions.

Research Interest

Dr. Shafi Md. Mostofa’s research interests encompass a diverse array of topics within the realms of religious studies, politics, and international relations. His primary areas of focus include religious extremism, Islamism, terrorism, secularism, religion and politics, and the clash of civilizations.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mostofa has held various leadership positions that have further enriched his understanding of these subjects. He served as the President of the Bangladesh Youth Network of Religions for Peace, Bangladesh Chapter, from January 1, 2011, to December 30, 2018, demonstrating his commitment to promoting peace and interfaith dialogue among youth. Additionally, he assumed the role of President at the Next Generation Leadership Academy (NGA), Bangladesh Chapter, from October 6, 2008, to December 30, 2015, where he contributed to fostering leadership skills among the youth.

Furthermore, Dr. Mostofa’s engagement with organizations such as the Student Association for Character Education (SACE) and the World Collegiate Association for the Research Principle (World CARP), both in Bangladesh, underscores his dedication to character development and academic research principles.

As a member of the Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue at the University of Dhaka since October 3, 2012, Dr. Mostofa has actively participated in initiatives aimed at promoting understanding and cooperation among different religious and cultural communities.

Moreover, his involvement as the President of the Bangladesh Student Association at the University of New England, Australia, and as the Treasurer of the University of New England Badminton Club reflects his commitment to fostering community engagement and sportsmanship within academic settings.

Through his multifaceted roles and affiliations, Dr. Mostofa continues to explore and contribute to scholarly discourse on pressing issues related to religion, politics, and societal dynamics, with a focus on promoting peace, understanding, and social cohesion.

Publications 

“Rise of Competitive Authoritarianism in Bangladesh”

  • Authors: SM Mostofa, DB Subedi
  • Published in: Politics and Religion
  • Volume: 34
  • Pages: 1-29
  • Year: 2020

“Profiles of Islamist Militants in Bangladesh”

  • Authors: SM Mostofa, DN Doyle
  • Published in: Perspectives on Terrorism
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 5
  • Pages: 112-129
  • Year: 2019

“Understanding Islamist Militancy in Bangladesh”

  • Author: SM Mostofa
  • Published in: Journal of Asian and African Studies
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue: 8
  • Pages: 2036-2051
  • Year: 2021

“A Study of Al-Qaeda’s Propaganda Narratives in Bangladesh”

  • Author: SM Mostofa
  • Published in: Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: Not provided
  • Pages: Not provided

“Key Drivers of Female Radicalisation in Bangladesh”

  • Author: SM Mostofa
  • Published in: Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 4
  • Pages: 27-33
  • Year: 2020