Distributed and Networked Systems Research Group

Background and History 

Distributed and networked systems are providing the infrastructure for computation (information processing), communication and storage involving a heterogeneous and potentially large number people, devices and software systems. Examples of such distributed and/or networked systems include local and wide area networks that make up the Internet, wireless/cellular communication networks for exchanging voice, video and data, wireless sensor networks for surveillance, monitoring and information gathering, multi-processor systems for high-performance information processing, and computing Clouds for providing centralized computing/storage services to remote users/entities/systems. These networked systems represent strategic infrastructure for any nation, with the UAE as a front-runner being no exception.

The Distributed and Networked Systems (DNS) Research Group, established back in 2015, aims at developing the protocols, system architecture, mechanisms and underlying principles for the above-mentioned systems. Our research will focus on techniques and architectures which are not only practical and deployable, but also provably correct/optimal. Our research areas include network protocols/mechanisms, wireless and mobile networks, multi-processor systems, network-on-a-chip, cloud computing, parallel processing, and interconnection of things such as interconnected vehicles, robots, etc. The ultimate objective of this research group is to benefit the information and communication technology sector of the UAE and the region at large, contribute to the scientific development and competitiveness of the University of Sharjah, the UAE and the region at large, as well as contribute to the training of highly-qualified personnel through the involvement of students and post-doctoral researchers.

Goals and Objectives

The DNS Research Group is committed to be recognized as an active research group at the University of Sharjah pioneering in the design of state-of-the-art solutions which are not only practical and deployable but also provably correct and optimal, for the next-generation of computer and communication networks, multi-processor systems, cloud computing and interconnection of things, with the ultimate objective of serving the community and the information and communication technology sector of the UAE and the region at large, while training highly-qualified personnel through the involvement of students and researchers.

To fulfill its mission, the DNS Research Group has a number of objectives as follows:

• To become a well-recognized, active research group at the University of Sharjah.
• To conduct internationally recognized research and development activities in the area of distributed and networked systems.
• To accomplish multi-disciplinary research work through the collaboration with researchers from other colleges, other universities and internationally.
• To benefit the information and communication technology sector of the UAE and the region at large.
• To contribute to the scientific development and competitiveness of the University of Sharjah, the UAE and the region at large.
• To contribute to the training of highly-qualified personnel through the involvement of students and post-doctoral researchers.
  
  

Services

The DNS research group is capable of providing a variety of services to the community. A brief summary of potential services is listed below.

Consultancy Services:

• Specialized consulting services in the main research areas of the group
• Specialized research studies and product development
• Production of design guidelines, manuals, and other support material
• Transferring technological information to community organizations

Training/education services:

• Tailored professional training courses designed to support practicing engineers and professionals
• Short courses on various aspects of distributed and networked systems
• Organizing conferences and workshops on distributed and networked systems
• Seminars and distinguished lecture series
• Newsletters

The content will be available soon.     

• Prof. Ahmed Khedr is the recipient of the ``Annual Research Prize'', from University of Sharjah, August 2021.
• Prof. Mohamed Saad is the recipient of the ``Distinguished Service Award'', in recognition to the outstanding services to the College of Computing and Informatics, June 2021.
• The DNS group members have secured a competitive grant from University of Sharjah for the "Advanced Signal Processing Algorithms and Performance Analysis for Next Generation Wireless Systems" project (from 2018 and for two years).
• Dr. Khawla Alnajjar was the recipient of Young Emirati Researchers Prize (YERP) award, Ministry of Higher Education and National Research Foundation in UAE, in January 2017.
• The DNS group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between University of Sharjah and Du in 5G and Internet of Things (IoT)  (2016).  
• The DNS group members have secured a competitive grant from University of Sharjah for the "Optimal Resource Management for Cloud-Based Fifth Generation Wireless Networks" project (from 2016 and for three years).
• Dr. Khawla Alnajjar was the recipient of the second best paper award from The IEEE international Symposium on Telecommunication Technologies (ISTT), Malaysia, in November 2016.
• Dr. Khawla Alnajjar was the recipient of Rashid Award for Scientific Excellence, UAE, in Nov. 2015.
• Dr. Khawla Alnajjar was the recipient the best paper award from the IEEE Conference on Information and Communication Technology Research (ICTRC), UAE, in May 2015.
• Dr. Mohamed Saad was Nominated for inclusion in the 2015 Edition of "Who's Who in the World".
• Dr. Mohamed Saad was elevated to "Senior Member of IEEE" grade. Only 8% of IEEE members achieve senior membership.

The content will be available soon.