NEWS & SUCCESS STORIES

2nd International Conference on Frontiers in Computer Science (ICFCS 2026)

Wednesday, May 20 2026

The Department of Computer Science, School of Systems and Technology (SST), at University of Management and Technology successfully organized the 2nd International Conference on Frontiers in Computer Science (ICFCS 2026) under the theme “Computing for a Resilient Future” on May 20, 2026, at the university campus in Lahore. The conference brought together renowned academicians, researchers, industry experts, professionals, and students to discuss emerging trends, innovations, and future challenges in the field of computer science and artificial intelligence.

The event commenced with an opening ceremony held at Hakeem Saeed Hall, beginning with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the national anthem. Distinguished university leadership addressed the audience, including Professor Dr. Atif Alvi, Dean SST, and Dr. Ejaz Ullah Cheema, Vice Rector UMT, who highlighted the importance of resilient technologies and interdisciplinary research in shaping the future of digital transformation.

Dr. Atif Alvi

Dr. Atif Alvi

Dean, School of Systems and Technology (SST), UMT

Dr. Ejaz Ullah Cheema

Dr. Ejaz Ullah Cheema

Vice Rector, UMT

The conference featured multiple parallel tracks including tech talks, workshops, and a 3MT Competition. Internationally recognized speakers and researchers shared their expertise on cutting-edge topics such as Trustworthy AI, AI-driven systems, cloud computing, data engineering, DevOps, robotics, and digital transformation.

The conference keynote was delivered by Dr. Fakhar Lodhi ( Senior Director Delivery at The Children's Place, Pakistan ), an accomplished technology leader with international experience in IT services and innovation management. His talk, “The Disruptions and Redemptions of Technology: Understanding the Future of Computer Science Through the Lens of History,” provided participants with valuable insights into the evolution of computing technologies and the future landscape of computer science.

Dr. Fakhar Lodhi

Dr. Fakhar Lodhi

Senior Director Delivery at The Children's Place, Pakistan

Tech talks :

Dr. Munir Ahmad ( Associate Professor, NCBA&E, Pakistan. | Adjunct Professor, Korea University, South Korea)

Dr. Munir Ahmad delivered a compelling session on “Trustworthy AI for a Resilient Future – From Explainable Intelligence to Privacy-Preserving Systems.” His talk focused on the importance of transparency, ethics, and security in modern AI systems, emphasizing the growing need for responsible artificial intelligence.

Dr. Munir Ahmad
Dr. Munir Ahmad 1

Dr. Munir Ahmad

Associate Professor, NCBA&E, Pakistan | Adjunct Professor, Korea University

Mr. Tasawar Hussain ( Senior Staff Engineer at Arbisoft )

Mr. Tasawar Hussain shared practical industry experiences through his session “Building Resilient AI-Enabled Software: Hard-Won Lessons from Production.” The talk highlighted real-world challenges in deploying AI-driven software systems and strategies for building scalable and reliable applications.

Mr. Tasawar Hussain
Mr. Tasawar Hussain 1

Mr. Tasawar Hussain

presenting industry lessons on building resilient AI-enabled software

Prof. Dr. Ivan Miguel Serrano ( Adjunct Professor at the University of Aveiro | Integrated researcher at Instituto de Telecomunicações )

In his talk “When Sensors Start Thinking: The Future of AI in Everyday Life,” Prof. Dr. Ivan Miguel Serrano discussed the integration of intelligent sensors and AI technologies into everyday systems, demonstrating how smart environments are shaping the future of digital living.

Prof. Dr. Ivan Miguel Serrano
Prof. Dr. Ivan Miguel Serrano 1

Prof. Dr. Ivan Miguel Serrano

Discussing the future of AI in everyday life and intelligent sensing

Mr. Usman Ahmad ( DevOps Consultant and AWS Cloud Expert, 10Pearls, Pakistan )

Mr. Usman Ahmad presented an insightful session titled “From DevOps to AIOps: AI-Powered Observability and Automation on AWS Cloud.” His talk explored the evolving role of artificial intelligence in cloud automation, monitoring, and operational efficiency.

Mr. Usman Ahmad
Mr. Usman Ahmad 1

Mr. Usman Ahmad

delivering a session on AI-powered observability and automation on AWS

Mr. Khair Muhammad Soomro ( IT Solutions Architect, Technology Control Company, Saudi Arabia )

Mr. Khair Muhammad delivered a session on “From Waterfall to AI-Orchestrated DevOps,” discussing how AI technologies are transforming traditional software development methodologies and modern DevOps practices.

Mr. Khair Muhammad Soomro
Mr. Khair Muhammad Soomro 1

Mr. Khair Muhammad Soomro

discussing the evolution from traditional software development to

Mr. Imran Shafqat ( Co-Founder and CTO, ThingTrax )

In his presentation “The Synergy between AI-driven Control and Manufacturing Excellence,” Imran Shafqat explained the role of AI and automation in improving industrial operations, manufacturing processes, and operational intelligence.

Mr. Imran Shafqat
Mr. Imran Shafqat 1

Mr. Imran Shafqat

presenting on AI-driven control and manufacturing excellence.

Mr. Moen Chishti ( Sr. Solution Engineer, Snowflake, US )

Mr. Moen Chishti’s talk, “AI’s Secret Ingredient: Data,” emphasized the critical importance of data quality, management, and analytics in building effective AI systems and intelligent applications.

Mr. Moen Chishti
Mr. Moen Chishti 1

Mr. Moen Chishti

highlighting the importance of data as the foundation of effective AI systems.

Hands-on workshop :

ICFCS 2026 featured a series of hands-on workshops designed to provide practical learning opportunities in emerging technologies and industry-relevant domains. These workshops enabled participants to interact directly with experts and gain real-world technical exposure.

Workshop 1: Cloud-Powered Digital Twins with AWS IoT TwinMaker

Conducted by Mr. Awais Kamran ( AI Training Architect, KodeKloud | AWS Certified Solutions Architect | AWS Community Builder ), this workshop focused on building cloud-powered digital twin applications using AWS IoT TwinMaker. Participants explored modern cloud architectures, IoT integrations, and AI-enabled industrial solutions for creating resilient digital ecosystems.

Mr. Awais Kamran
Mr. Awais Kamran 1

Participants exploring cloud-powered digital twin applications during the workshop on AWS IoT TwinMaker led by

Mr. Awais Kamran

Workshop 2: Code Amplified – Building Software with Generative AI

This workshop was led by Mr. Muhammad Talha ( Generative AI Program Manager & Trainer (Pak Angels, iCodeGuru) ). The session introduced participants to the practical use of Generative AI in software development, demonstrating how AI-powered tools can accelerate coding, improve productivity, and transform modern software engineering practices.

Mr. Muhammad Talha
Mr. Muhammad Talha 1

An interactive session on leveraging Generative AI to accelerate software development, conducted by

Mr. Muhammad Talha

Workshop 3: Crack the Code – Problem Solving for Future Programmers

Facilitated by Mr. Sarfraz Raza ( Teaching Fellow ITU & CEO Seed Programming ), this workshop focused on logical thinking, competitive programming, and problem-solving techniques for aspiring developers. Participants engaged in interactive exercises designed to strengthen analytical and programming skills.

Mr. Sarfraz Raza
Mr. Sarfraz Raza 1

Students enhancing their analytical and coding skills during the “Crack the Code – Problem Solving for Future Programmers” workshop facilitated by

Mr. Sarfraz Raza

Workshop 4: Autonomous Maze Solver – A Hands-on Robotics Workshop

This practical robotics workshop was conducted by Mr. Ammar Hassan ( Senior Lecturer, UCP ) and Mr. Umair bin Ahmed ( Lecturer, LGU & Senior AI Engineer at a U.S based organization ). Participants worked on autonomous maze-solving systems, gaining hands-on experience in robotics, AI integration, and intelligent automation.

Mr. Ammar Hassan
Mr. Ammar Hassan 1

Participants gaining hands-on experience in intelligent automation during the “Autonomous Maze Solver – A Hands-on Robotics Workshop” led by

Mr. Ammar Hassan and Mr. Umair bin Ahmed

Workshop 5: AWS Foundations – Hands-On Workshop

Led by Mr. Muhammad Zulkifl Hasan ( AWS Academy Educator ), this workshop introduced participants to the foundational concepts of Amazon Web Services (AWS). The session provided practical exposure to cloud computing services, deployment models, and modern infrastructure management techniques.

Mr. Muhammad Zulkifl Hasan
Mr. Muhammad Zulkifl Hasan 1

Attendees learning the fundamentals of cloud computing and AWS services during the “AWS Foundations – Hands-On Workshop” conducted by

Mr. Muhammad Zulkifl Hasan.

Workshop 6: Grow Online – Practical Digital Marketing for Beginners

Conducted by Mr. Sarmad Ahmad ( CEO CIAO ), this workshop focused on digital marketing fundamentals, online branding, and audience engagement strategies. Participants learned practical techniques for building online presence and utilizing digital platforms effectively in today’s competitive market.

Mr. Sarmad Ahmad
Mr. Sarmad Ahmad 1

Participants exploring online branding and audience engagement strategies during the “Grow Online – Practical Digital Marketing for Beginners” workshop led by

Mr. Sarmad Ahmad.

3MT Competition :

An engaging 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition for PhD and MS students was organized as part of the Research Colloquium, providing a dynamic platform for young researchers to present their innovative ideas and research contributions in a concise and impactful manner. The competition challenged participants to explain complex research projects within three minutes, enhancing their communication and presentation skills while making their work accessible to a broader audience. Students from various disciplines showcased the significance and potential impact of their research, creating an atmosphere of intellectual exchange and academic excellence. The event highlighted the importance of effective research communication and reflected the institution's commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture and encouraging emerging scholars to share their ideas with confidence.

3MT 1
3MT 2
3MT 3
3MT 4

Students participating in the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition.

Panel discussion :

One of the most engaging segments of ICFCS 2026 was the panel discussion titled “Who owns the digital future? Data, Talent or Technology in the age of global competition.” The session brought together experts from academia, industry, government, and alumni to discuss the future of digital innovation, AI governance, talent development, and technological leadership in the global economy.  The discussion was moderated by Dr. Sohail Khalid, who guided an insightful conversation among distinguished panelists representing multiple sectors. Dr. Junaid Akhtar ( Dean & Director, LiveX and eUMT ) was representing academia, he shared valuable perspectives on the role of higher education institutions in preparing future talent for the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Mr. Waseem Ahmad Chisti ( Founder and CTO, INNVERSE ) was Representing the industry sector, he discussed emerging trends in artificial intelligence, data-driven innovation, and the growing importance of AI-powered business ecosystems in global competition. Dr. Abdul Nasir ( Ph.D ) was representing the government sector, he highlighted the significance of policy-making, national digital strategies, and public-sector support in shaping the future of technology and innovation.  Dr. Rana Hammad Hassan ( Head of Punjab Urban Land Systems Enhancement, Board of Revenue Punjab ) was representing students and alumni, he shared insights on entrepreneurship, professional growth, and the role of young researchers and graduates in contributing to the digital economy.

Panel Discussion 1
Panel Discussion 2
Panel Discussion 3
Panel Discussion 4

Panel discussion on “Who Owns the Digital Future? Data, Talent or Technology in the Age of Global Competition.”

Closing ceremony :

A notable moment of the event was the address by Prof. Abid H. K. Shirwani ( Chief Advisor on Innovation, UMT ). In his remarks, he appreciated the efforts of the organizers, speakers, and participants for making the conference a successful platform for academic and industry collaboration. He also emphasized the importance of innovation, research, and emerging technologies in shaping a resilient, technology-driven future.

Prof. Abid H. K. Shirwani

Prof. Abid H. K. Shirwani

Chief Advisor on Innovation, UMT

The conference concluded with a closing ceremony led by Dr. Malik Tahir Hassan ( Chairperson, Department of Computer Science, UMT ), where souvenirs and certificates were distributed among invited speakers, organizers, and volunteers in recognition of their valuable contributions and efforts toward the successful execution of the event.

Dr. Malik Tahir Hassan

Dr. Malik Tahir Hassan

Chairperson, Department of Computer Science, UMT

ICFCS 2026 served as an important platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation by bridging academia and industry under one roof. The conference reaffirmed SST’s commitment to promoting advanced research, technological excellence, and future-focused learning opportunities for students and professionals alike.

For further details about the conference, visit ICFCS 2026 Official Website .