Session Keynote Lecturers

 

Prof. Yutaka Ishibashi (Fellow of IEICE)
Aichi Sangyo University, Japan

Biography: Yutaka Ishibashi is Dean Professor at the Department of Business Management, Faculty of Business Administration, Aichi Sangyo University, Japan, and Emeritus Professor at Nagoya Institute of Technology. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Nagoya Institute of Technology in 1990. With over four decades of experience, he has held various academic leadership roles including department chair and college director at Nagoya Institute of Technology. His research focuses on communication protocols and network performance evaluation. Ishibashi is a Life Senior Member of IEEE and a Fellow of IEICE, with numerous awards including lifetime achievement and multiple best paper recognitions at international conferences. He has actively contributed to professional societies such as IEEE, IEICE, IPSJ, ACM, and ITE, holding leadership positions including Director of IPSJ Tokai Branch and Chair of IEEE Nagoya Section. He has chaired and served as technical program chair for numerous prestigious international conferences, and has been guest editor-in-chief for special issues in academic journals.

 

 

Prof. Tariq Rahim Soomro
Institute of Business Management, Pakistan

Dr. Tariq Rahim Soomro, Professor of Computer Science, and Rector at Institute of Business Management, has received BSc (Hons) and M.Sc degrees in Computer Science from University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan and his PhD in Computer Applications from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China and became the first Pakistani to receive all three degrees in the field of Computer Science. He has more than 30 years of extensive and diverse experience as an administrator, computer programmer, researcher, and teacher. As an administrator, He served as Coordinator, Head of Department, Head of Faculty, Dean of Faculty, Head of Academic Affairs and having wide experience in accreditation related matters, including ABET USA, NCEAC & HEC Pakistan, KHDA United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), UAE. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers. He has been a senior member of IEEE since 2005 and IEEE Member since 2000. He is currently serving as Chair IEEE Karachi Section (2024-25) and IEEE Computer Society R10 Southern Area Coordinator of Computer Society (2020-25). He is member Task Force on Arabic Script IDNs by Middle East Strategy Working Group (MESWG) of ICANN, Member Editorial Board of several research Journals and also served as Technical Program Committee Member of several national and international conferences. He also received the ISOC Fellowship to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for the 68th Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) meeting. He is first Pakistani to become IEEE Computer Society Distinguished Visitor (2021-2023) and also became the first Pakistani to be selected by the IEEE Computer Society to the ‘Inaugural Class of IEEE Computer Society Distinguished Contributors'.

 

Assoc. Prof. Herminiño C. Lagunzad
National University, Philippines

Biography: Herminiño C. Lagunzad is a seasoned IT educator and researcher with a strong focus on intelligent systems, cybersecurity, and data-driven technologies. His research interests include IoT applications, data mining and analytics, information security, machine learning, and medical informatics. He has presented and published papers in multiple IEEE-indexed conferences, with notable works on DNS sinkholing, AES-based encryption using Raspberry Pi, and wearable technologies for rehabilitation.
He has served as Session Chair and Technical Committee Member for international conferences such as ICINT, PRAI, ICCAE, and ICCCS, demonstrating his active involvement in the global research community. His technical skillset includes programming (Java, Python, TensorFlow), database management (MS SQL, MySQL), and network technologies (TCP/IP, DHCP, routers, switches).
With nearly a decade of teaching experience in various universities, Mr. Lagunzad has delivered courses in system architecture, software engineering, web technologies, and data management. He remains dedicated to advancing innovation in the IT field through research, instruction, and collaborative engagement.

 

 

Prof. Kazuyuki Shimizu
Meiji University, Japan

Biography: Prof. Dr. Kazuyuki Shimizu is a Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration, Meiji University, Japan. His research focuses on corporate governance, stakeholder theory, and digital transformation, with a particular interest in blockchain technologies and ESG investment strategies. He has been a visiting scholar at the University of Limerick, Ireland, and regularly presents his work at international conferences, including ETHICOMP and other conferences.

Prof. Shimizu's recent research explores the impact of digital innovation on corporate governance and sustainability, and he has published extensively in both Japanese and international academic journals. His practical experience includes working in institutional investor relations at German investment banking and Barclays Capital in Tokyo, providing him with a unique blend of academic and industry insights.

 

 

Asst. Prof. John Ivan C. Maurat
National University, Philippines

Biography: Asst. Prof. John Ivan C. Maurat is an IT Educator with over 7 years of experience, specializing in teaching IT professional and core courses. He holds a Master of Information Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and has completed the academic requirements for the Doctorate in Information Technology with a specialization in Social Computing at National University – Manila. He is also a Greenbelt Lean Six Sigma Certified professional and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert.
He is deeply committed to academic excellence and is passionate about integrating research, teaching, and technology to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences. His research contributions span across various domains, including AI-assisted learning in programming, educational game development, smart systems, sentiment analysis, augmented and virtual learning environments, social network analysis, and digital transformation in education.
He is currently affiliated with National University – Manila as an Assistant Professor 4 and has authored and co-authored numerous research papers that reflect his dedication to innovation and inclusive education in the digital age.

 

 

 

Dr. Judhistir Mahapatro
National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, India

Biography: Judhistir Mahapatro is an Assistant Professor (Grade-I) in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, India. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in 2015. He earned his M.Tech. and B.Tech. degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT Hamirpur and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, in 2009 and 2006, respectively.
Before joining NIT Rourkela, he served as an Assistant Professor at NIT Delhi and NIT Uttarakhand. He has over 10 years of teaching experience. At NIT Uttarakhand, he also held the position of Head of the Department for over a year.
Under his supervision, three Ph.D. scholars have graduated, and five more are currently pursuing their research. He has published over 30 research papers in reputed peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He received the Best Paper Award at IEEE IEMTRONICS 2021, held in Toronto, Canada.
He was the Convenor and Organizing Secretary of the Fourth Edition of ICADCML 2023. He also served as a Session Chair at the 12th International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Embedded Design (ISED 2024), as well as at the 2024 IEEE Students Conference on Engineering and Systems (SCES-2024). He has served as a Technical Program Committee (TPC) member for several prestigious conferences, including IEEE ICC (2021–2024), ICIoT 2024, and ICINT 2024. He is also a member of the IEEE.
His current research interests include the design and development of protocols for Wireless Networks, Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs), Wireless Body Area Networks, Heterogeneous Networks, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

 

 

Asst. Prof. Basheer M. Al-Ghazali (Fellow of HEA, World Top 2% Scientists for Citation Impact since 2025 of Stanford University's List)
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia

 

Speech Title: Automation in Tourism: The Role of Robotics and AI in Redefining Service Delivery

Abstract: The tourism and hospitality sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the growing integration of robotics and automation technologies across various service domains. This paper provides a comprehensive systematic review of the global landscape—analyzing current trends, implementation challenges, and emerging opportunities related to the use of robotics and automation in tourism service environments. Based on an extensive review of recent scholarly research, industry reports, and real-world implementations, the study explores the application of technologies such as service robots, smart kiosks, autonomous delivery tools, and AI-enabled customer interaction platforms across diverse tourism contexts, including hotels, airports, restaurants, and tourist attractions. The analysis reveals that robotics and automation have the potential to improve operational efficiency, enhance service quality, offer personalized guest experiences, and mitigate labor shortages—especially those intensified by global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the review also highlights significant obstacles to broader adoption, including high initial costs, inadequate infrastructure, employee resistance, and concerns related to the authenticity of service in human–robot interactions. Furthermore, the paper explores new frontiers in the development of smart tourism ecosystems, collaborative human–robot service models, edge-based AI applications, and adaptive service systems that respond to contextual variables. The review concludes by outlining a strategic roadmap for future research and industry practice, aimed at promoting ethical, human-centered, and sustainable automation in tourism. These insights serve as a valuable resource for scholars, technology providers, tourism managers, and policymakers seeking to navigate and shape the evolving role of automation in service delivery.

Biography: Dr. Basheer M. Al-Ghazali is an Assistant Professor of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, where he previously served as Head of the Department of Business Administration. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering and an MBA from KFUPM, as well as a Ph.D. in Technology Management from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Dr. Al-Ghazali is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), UK, and is recognized among the Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide by Stanford University in 2025. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and multiple book chapters, with his work appearing in several high-impact international journals.
His research interests span digital transformation, digital entrepreneurship, AI-enabled services, technology adoption, innovation management, and sustainability.

 

 

Asst. Prof. Mohammed Alaa Ala'anzy
SDU University, Kazakhstan

Biography: Mohammed Alaa Ala'anzy (Member, IEEE) received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 2023. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Suleyman Demirel University (SDU). Dr. Ala'anzy specializes in advanced fields such as algorithms, cloud computing, green computing, load balancing, task scheduling, fog computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the academic community through numerous high-impact journal and conference publications.
Additionally, Dr. Ala'anzy serves as a respected reviewer for prestigious journals, including IEEE, Elsevier, and Springer. He is also a member of the Dissertation Council (Senate) at SDU and plays an essential role on the admissions committee, which evaluates candidates for the Kazakhstan government grant program. Furthermore, he is a member of the International Program Committee for the 2025 12th International Conference on Soft Computing and Machine Intelligence (ISCMI) in Melbourne, Australia, as well as a member of the Advisory Committee for the 2025 5th International Conference on Technological Advancements in Computational Sciences (ICTACS 2025), organized by Amity University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

 

 

Asst. Prof. Roger C. Primo Jr.
National University, Philippines

Biography: Roger C. Primo Jr. is an Assistant Professor III at National University Philippines, currently pursuing his Doctorate in Information Technology. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology and is a licensed professional teacher. With extensive experience in both academia and administration, he has served as IT Program Chair and MIS Director, contributing to institutional IT strategy and curriculum development.
Prof. Primo is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and a Certified Cyber Defense Educator. His research interests include artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics software, decision support systems, and IT management. He has presented his work in numerous research conferences and actively serves on technical committees in international academic events.
He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command, where he serves as an IT Specialist.