After BSc Hons, MSc and industry sponsored PhDs in materials science and technology Dr Kim Stansfield, CEng, MIET, MINCOSE, spent 26 years working in leadership roles in development of aerospace manufacturing, automotive safety control, enterprise information and renewable energy systems. In 2016 he joined Warwick University WMG as a senior teaching fellow becoming associate professor of transformational systems engineering, teaching systems engineering, advanced quality management methods and business improvement processes for industry sponsored Apprentice B.Eng. and was course lead on the GE Aviation sponsored M.Sc. Apprenticeship in 'Systems Engineering Technical Leadership'. Alongside his teaching responsibilities he initiated research on the evaluation and development of appropriate mixed reality and virtual reality technology systems to BEng engineering students.
In 2020 he retired and has recently relaunched as founder-Managing Director, VoCATE Ltd. (Voice of the Customer Across the Ecosystem) focused on training and consulting in customer and stakeholder needs-driven product, service and system innovation, particularly in the area of education systems in the UK and overseas. Since 2018 he has been a member of the BERSTIC (Biorrefineries, Renewable Energy Supported by ICT) a collaborative Network between South America and Europe. His company has recently joined the H2020 project "CELISE" for bioenergy from rural wastes. In 2016 he was awarded the Akao Prize, and in 2021 elected Associate Academician of the International Academy of Quality. He has been the UK Rep for ISO16355 Standard for QFD since 2010.

Professor Fernando Colmenares is currently the national head of engineering research and Dr. Professor at the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia (UCC) with emphasis on energy generation, simulation and modeling in the energy sector, Since 2013 he has been leading an interdisciplinary research group focused on vulnerable communities to improve the capacity of the various levels of governance within them to consider innovative solution options and select the most appropriate controls and adaptive mechanisms to help manage the bi-directional relationship between rural/off-grid/post conflict communities, justice, peace and climate change.
He has been leading project initiatives (5) sponsored by the UK funding via the Royal Academy of Engineering beginning and Lloyds Register Foundation with a community’s characterisation and gaps identifications ending in a feasibility study in remote locations in Colombia analysing the renewable energy potential, environmental characteristics and the technical requirements for developing pilot projects where the main stakeholders (from communities to policy makers) are involved. These projects have transferred technology and engineering capacity on renewable resources and site assessments as well as socio-environmental and economic analysis.

Dr. Freeha Azmat is working as Associate Professor at the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick (UK). She joined WMG after completing her PhD in Engineering funded from University of Warwick Chancellors International Scholarship Award. She led the design and development of Degree Apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions (DTS) and currently working as Course Director for the DTS degree programs. She was the Finalist in 'Digital & Tech' Category of 2021 Asian Woman of Achievement Awards.
She is Senior Fellow of UK Higher Education Academy (HEA) and Fellow of Warwick International Higher Education Academy (WIHEA). She is elected member of University of Warwick’s Senate and has received 2018 WMG Star Award for Contribution to Undergraduate Education. She is involved in different outreach programs related to the use of augmented and virtual reality in education. She also supervises undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral students.
She has been awarded the early career research scholarship of worth £100K to support doctorial research in engineering education. The doctoral research will analyse the learner journey from school to college to identify the facets that can attract young students towards engineering as part of £2.5 million programme supported by Royal Academy of Engineering, UK.
She has done master’s in computer science from University of Leicester (UK) on fully funded scholarship from Higher Education, Pakistan. She was given Best Student Award and Best Project Award for scoring highest marks in her master’s course. Dr. Freeha is passionate about girls’ education and has received 2022 WMG star Award for Equality, diversity, and Inclusion. She believes girls education plays a vital role in developing sustainable and resilient communities.

Ms. Sameena Nazir has an MA in International Agriculture & Rural Development from Cornell University, USA and holds MA English & Fellow of Law degrees from the University of Punjab University, Pakistan. Sameena Nazir is founder and president of Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA), a women’s rights NGO working for the promotion and protection of human rights in rural areas of Pakistan since 2004. As an international development professional, she brings 25 years of experience in designing and implementing Rights Based Programs on women’s rights, economic and social development for collective vision, leadership and climate action. She specializes in linking public policy with real life issues of rural women around the world.
Sameena Nazir’s work contributes to the efforts of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Climate Change adaptation and mitigation. Her in-depth understanding of gender issues and sustainable development processes has roots in her own activism as a Pakistani journalist and grassroots community worker. She has established a community school with an organic agriculture farm in her native village to engage rural parents and teachers to promote integration of human rights, nutrition & climate. Sameena Nazir is President of Pakistan Section of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and a member of Speakers’ Bureau at New York based PeaceIsLoud. Before heading PODA, Sameena Nazir worked internationally at Networks of Change, Freedom House and International Human Rights Law Group in USA. She has led on-the-ground projects in Afghanistan, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Pakistan and Yemen and directed an comparative analysis study on women’s economic, social, civil and political rights in 18 countries/territories the Middle East & North Africa.
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Mr. Nauman Khan is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader in the field of renewable energy industry for the last 17 years. He is currently CEO of Pakistan’s leading renewable energy EPC company namely “Grace Solar Pakistan” which was founded by Mr. Khan in 2006. The company is engaged in imports, distribution, designing, commissioning and after sales of both solar and wind energy projects across Pakistan and Afghanistan regions. Mr. Nauman Khan has also served as advisor to the Ministry of Energy Government of Punjab and is also on other advisory boards of various RE policy maker non-governmental institutes. Mr. Khan also played an instrumental role as member Prime Minister’s Task Force for development of latest Renewable Energy Policy of 2019 which has an exciting target of achieving 30% share of renewables by 2030. Mr. Khan has also been elected Executive Committee Member of FPCCI (Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry) and played a key role in developing the policy document for Standardization of Import of PV Equipment in Pakistan. Mr. Nauman Khan has also served as Vice Chairman & then Chairman of the Pakistan Solar Association from 2014 till 2018; which is the only representative Trade Body of Solar Industry in Pakistan duly registered with the Government of Pakistan.

Mr. Khan plays a key role with regards to maintaining close relations with all stakeholders of solar energy industry, government relations, providing Assistant to Government of Pakistan in first policy making of Net Metering & Wheeling 2016 in Pakistan, played a key role in getting the policy approved by the State Bank of Pakistan to allow financing of solar products / projects on subsidized rates of 6% per annum, and tax reforms on solar products. He has also been instrumental in bridging gap between international players and Pakistani companies, liaison between donor agencies, iNGOs, financing institutions and Pakistan solar industry for better need assessment and closure of more solar projects in Pakistan. Mr. Khan has also represented Pakistan in Intersolar Munich Germany 2016 for the first time in history of Pakistan and delivered a presentation on Pakistan as Global Emerging Renewable Energy Market & Opportunities.

With over 22 years of rigorous experience in public and private sector organizations, Mr. Sajid Latif brings with him extensive knowledge, understanding and expertise of ICTs and their interlinkages with the governance systems. PITB has successfully implemented several large-scale e-Governance interventions under his guidance. Some of these projects include e-Stamping, e-Khidmat Centers, Punjab Public Management Reforms Program, e-Filling and Office Automation System (e-FOAS), SMDP, Punjab Charities Registration Portal, Baldia Online App, Tourism App, Ease of Doing Business interventions, Technology Incubation Programs and Freelancing Training Programs, among others. Owing to the success of these projects, many of the aforementioned initiatives are now being implemented at the Federal level and/or in other provinces under Mr. Latif’s supervision.
Previously, he has served as Chief IT at the Planning & Development Department Govt. of the Punjab, Manager IT Punjab Resource Management Program (PRMP) Planning & Development Department Govt. of the Punjab, Head of Computer Department Children Hospital & Institute of Child Health Lahore Govt. of the Punjab and as a member of visiting faculty at the University of the Punjab and National College of Business Administration & Economics Lahore. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan and a Bachelor of Science degree from Government College, Multan.

Habil Ahmed Khan is CEO Welt Konnect Pvt Ltd & Director Operations Transtech Group, managing a portfolio comprising engineering and development of Real Estate, Infrastructure, Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Projects.
With an Engineering Degree from GIKI with specialization in Simulation Modelling, an LLB Hons (QLD) degree from the University of London (UoL) with specialization in Corporate and EU Law, Bar-at-Law from BPP London and the Honorable Society of Lincolns Inn; of which He is an Esq. member since 2014, executive education courses; Anti-Fragility Master Class from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Inspiring Entrepreneurial Strategy in Times of Crises from Harvard Business School (HBS), with over a decade of experience in development of Infrastructure / Power Projects in different countries, Habil Ahmed Khan is uniquely equipped to excel as part of the global fraternity of Project Developers.
He has worked as an Honorary Expert with Federal Entities and NEPRA to review and critique development plans and policies of Pakistan. He represented Pakistan in the International Leadership Program (IVLP) of the US State Department in 2022. He holds the distinct honor of being one of the youngest Chairs at the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) Cambridge, UK in 2016. He has been a technical member of FGW Germany for standardization of decentralized energies (for legislative purposes) since 2018, was elected as Vice President German Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Islamabad (GPCCI) in 2016 and is also a coveted member of the esteemed Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) of NUST since 2010. He is also a founding member of the Islamabad Chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and has served as its President. He is the elected President of the GIKI Alumni Association with over six thousand members globally. He is an advocate of the High Court and is entitled to appear, act and plead before any Court or Tribunal in Pakistan.
He has been actively engaged in development of Renewable Energy projects and has been one of the pioneers in establishing Wind and Solar PV projects in Pakistan.

Being one of the pioneer members of the project team, I must say that inception of Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology is like a dream come true. I take immense pride in being appointed as the first Rector of the Institute.
Today, knowledge along with skill is the key difference between developed and underdeveloped economies. Pakistan lacks in adequately trained and skilled work force in production sector, keeping it behind others. To become a developed economy, it is imperative for the nation to invest in and leverage its engineering sector. The existing engineering and technology curricula do not adequately cater to the needs of our industry mainly due to the lack of practical skills of graduates. Being cognizant of the fact, PAF-IAST is all set to change this rut through a conscious effort by tying practical skills and industry engagement to its Bachelor and Master degree programs.
A purpose-built campus, with state-of-the-art facilities for interactive learning through smart classrooms and advanced laboratory equipment has been established at Mang, Haripur.
With the launch of five programs at the bachelor’s degree level in collaboration with Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences, the Institute has created history as it aims to champion the applied engineering, science, and technology education in the country. For the first time, the course curricula will be augmented with lectures and seminars delivered by the industry professionals while the laboratory work will also incorporate application-oriented approach. In addition, the students will be required to undergo several internships in industry during their studies. The academic programs are delivered by highly qualified 100% PhD faculty that has been trained by the foreign partners. In addition, a new concept of ‘Professors of Practice’ has been introduced to bring the applied industrial approach to the classrooms that will also promote linkage with the industry.
In addition, research centers in selected applied fields encompassing railway engineering, mineral resource engineering, food processing & packaging technologies and artificial intelligence are being established in collaboration with leading Chinese universities. One of the centers called the ‘Sino-Pak Center for Artificial Intelligence’ has already started to function with state-of-the-art facilities and highly qualified Ph.D. faculty.
The centerpiece of PAF-IAST is the Technology Park, built to cultivate innovation and to promote new start-up companies with close linkages with the Austrian, Chinese and Pakistani industries. Emphasis will be on applied research of industrial importance. The aim will be to foster the development and manufacture of innovative products both for the local market of Pakistan and for export.