Muhammad Shahzad Sarfraz

Professor

Department of Computer Science
shahzad.sarfraz@nu.edu.pk
(041) 111-128-128
Ext: 102

Introduction

Dr. Muhammad Shahzad Sarfraz is a Professor of Computer Science, Director of the Chiniot–Faisalabad Campus, and Founding Director of the Multan Campus at FAST – National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST-NUCES), Pakistan. He has nearly two decades of academic, research, and executive leadership experience in Computer Science and Geospatial Technologies, specializing in Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI), Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Spatial Data Science, and Location Intelligence.

His research focuses on AI-driven geospatial solutions for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, digital health, and natural resource management using machine learning, remote sensing, UAV analytics, and intelligent geospatial decision-support systems. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, receiving over 1700 citations with an h-index of 22 and an i10-index of 33 (Google Scholar). He has secured competitive research funding, supervised numerous Ph.D. and M.S. researchers, and established national and international research collaborations.

His research excellence has been recognized through the FAST-NUCES Research Productivity Award for seven consecutive years (2020-2026) and the COMSATS University Islamabad Research Productivity Award (2014). Dr. Sarfraz has served as a Visiting Researcher at the National Institute of Informatics (NII), Japan, and collaborates with leading universities and research organizations across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

He is a Senior Member of IEEE and a member of ACM, the Geological Society of America (GSA), and the Canadian Remote Sensing Society (CRSS). He serves as an editor, peer reviewer, conference chair, keynote speaker, research grant reviewer, and invited Ph.D. dissertation evaluator for leading journals, conferences, funding agencies, and prestigious universities. He has also established strategic national and international research collaborations through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), contributing to the advancement of AI and geospatial sciences.

Web Profile

Education

Ph.D in Computing (RS & GIS) AIT, Thailand, 2012
M.S in Computing (RS & GIS) AIT, Thailand, 2009
M.Sc. in Computer Science University of Agriculture, Pakistan, 2006
BCS in Computer Science University of Punjab, Pakistan, 2004

Publications

Ghous, A. A. Cheema, M. S. Sarfraz, Q. U. Zaman, A. Hussain, and M. H. F. Bin Md Fauadi,“Image-based Recommender System for Stylistically Complementary Products,” IEEE Access :Submitted: July 2026
Ajmal, M. Shoaib, F. Iqbal, A. Azam, M. S. Sarfraz, and E. Boonchieng, “RST-Enhanced Depression Detection: A Feature-Fusion Ensemble Framework,” Algorithms : Submitted, July 2026
Rashid, M. U. Anwar, M. Ali, U. Ghous, M. S. Sarfraz, and E. Boonchieng, “DeKYC: A Decentralized Framework for Identity Verification,” IEEE Access Submitted, March 2026.
A. Tabassam, M. S. Sarfraz, S. Rafiq, M. Fayyaz. “Remote Sensing and AI-Driven Sustainable Cotton Farming for a Resilient Future”. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, RemoteSensing and Spatial Information Sciences – XXV ISPRS Congress, Toronto, Canada, July 4-11, 2026.
Ilyas, M. S. Sarfraz, A. A. Tabassam, H. M. Danish. “A Comprehensive Framework for Remote Sensing and AI-Driven Real-Time Cotton Health Monitoring and Disease Detection”. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences XXV ISPRS Congress, Toronto, Canada, July 4-11, 2026.
Azam. A, M. S. Sarfraz, Q. U. Zaman, A. A. Cheema, A. Ali, B. A. Talpur. “From reviews to preference profiles: LLM-based transfer for cross-domain recommendation”. Egyptian InformaticsJournal, 34, 100981, 2026.
Azam. A, M. S. Sarfraz, Qamar Uz Zaman, Adeel Ashraf Cheema, Aitzaz Ali. “A Unified Thematic Mapping Approach for Cross-Domain Personalization and Cold Start Alleviation”. IEEEAccess, 2025.
A. Cheema, M. S. Sarfraz, U. Habib, Q. U. Zaman and E. Boonchieng, ”CD-LLMCARS: Cross Domain fine-tuned Large Language Model for Context-Aware Recommender Systems,” inIEEE Open Journal of the Computer Society December, 2024. Usman, Muhammad and M. S. Sarfraz and Habib, Usman and Aftab, Muhammad Umar and Javed, Saleha, ”Automatic Hybrid Access Control in SCADA-Enabled IIoT Networks Using Machine Learning,” in MDPI, 2023.
Asad Khan, Muhammad Awais Ashraf, Muhammad Awais Javeed, M. S. Sarfraz, Asad Ullah, and Muhammad Mehran Arshad Khan, ”Electronic Guidance Cane for Users Having Partial Vision Loss Disability,”, in Hindawi, Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing, 2021.
Zojan Memon, Hamideh Aghian, M. S. Sarfraz, Akhtar Hussain Jalbani, Rozita Jamili Oskouei, Khuda Bux Jalbani, Ghulam Hussain Jalbani, ”Framework for Educational Domain-Based Multichatbot Communication System”, Hindawi, Scientific Programming, 2021.
Noor Asim, M. S. Sarfraz, Muhammad Ahmad, Numan Shafi, Muhammad Husnain, “Weed identification using vegetation indices and multispectral UAV imaging,” in the 42nd AsianConference on Remote Sensing (ACRS), 2021.
Ali Hamza, Danish Shehzad, M. S. Sarfraz, Usman Habib, Numan Shafi, ”Novel Secure Hybrid Image Steganography Technique Based on Pattern Matching,” in KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS), 2021.
Cheema, Adeel Ashraf and M. S. Sarfraz and Usman, Muhammad and Zaman, Qamar Uz and Habib, Usman and Boonchieng, Ekkarat ”KT-CDULF: Knowledge Transfer in Context-AwareCross-Domain Recommender Systems via Latent User Profiling” in IEEE Access, July 2024.
Usman, M. S. Sarfraz, M. U. Aftab, U. Habib and S. Javed, “A Blockchain Based Scalable Domain Access Control Framework for Industrial Internet of Things,” in IEEE Access, 2024.Usman Ghous, M. S. Sarfraz, Muhammad Ahmad, Chenyu Li, Danfeng Hong, “(2+1) D Extreme
Xception Net for Hyperspectral Image Classification”, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, January 2024.
Rabia Maqsood, Paolo Ceravolo, Muhammad Ahmad, & M. S. Sarfraz, “Examining students’ course trajectories using data mining and visualization approaches”, International Journal ofEducational Technology in Higher Education, Springer Netherlands, October 2023.
Ariyo Oluwasanmi, Muhammad Umar Aftab, Zhiguang Qin, M. S. Sarfraz, Yang Yu, and Hafiz Tayyab Rauf, “Multi-Head Spatiotemporal Attention Graph Convolutional Network for TrafficPrediction”, Multidisciplinary, MDPI & Switzerland, April 2023.
Momna Javaid, M. S. Sarfraz, Muhammad Umar Aftab, Qamar uz Zaman, Hafiz Tayyab Rauf, and Khalid A. Alnowibet, “WebGIS-Based Real-Time Surveillance and Response System for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases”, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023.
Mahnoor Khalid, M. S. Sarfraz, Uzair Iqbal, Muhammad Umar Aftab, Gniewko Niedbala, and Hafiz Tayyab Rauf, “Real-Time Plant Health Detection Using Deep Convolutional NeuralNetworks”, Agriculture, 2023.
Samia Aziz, M. S. Sarfraz, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Umar Aftab, and Hafiz Tayyab Rauf, “Geo-Spatial Mapping of Hate Speech Prediction in Roman Urdu”, Mathematics, ComputerScience, 2023.
M.H. Musaddiq, M. S. Sarfraz, N. Shafi, R. Maqsood, A. Azam, M. Ahmad, “Predicting theImpact of Academic Key Factors and Spatial Behaviors on Students’ Performance”, Applied Sciences, 2022.
Aftab, M. U., Hamza, A., Oluwasanmi, A., Nie X., M. S. Sarfraz, D., Qin, Z.,& Rafiq, A. Traditional and Hybrid Access Control Models: A Detailed Survey. Security and CommunicationNetworks, 2022.
Ahmad, M., Khan, A. M., Mazzara, M., Distefano, S., Ali, M., & M. S. Sarfraz. A Fast and Compact 3-D CNN for Hyperspectral Image Classification. IEEE Geoscience and Remote SensingLetters. 2022
Khan, Muhammad Altaf and Nasralla, Moustafa M. and Umar, Muhammad Muneer and Iqbal, Zeeshan and Rehman, Ghani Ur and M. S. Sarfraz, and Choudhury, Nikumani. A Survey on the Noncooperative Environment in Smart Nodes-Based Ad Hoc Networks: Motivations and Solutions, Security and Communication Networks, 2021
Jalbani, K. B., Yousaf, M., M. S. Sarfraz, Jamili Oskouei, R., Hussain, A., & Memon, Z. Poor Coding Leads to DoS Attack and Security Issues in Web Applications for Sensors. Security andCommunication Networks, 2021.
Memon, Z., Aghian, H., M. S. Sarfraz, Hussain Jalbani, A., Oskouei, R. J., Jalbani, K. B., & Hussain Jalbani, G. (2021). Framework for Educational Domain-Based MultichatbotCommunication System. Scientific Programming, 2021.
Tariq, H., Hanif, M. K., Sarwar, M. U., Bari, S., M. S. Sarfraz, & Oskouei, R. J. Employing Deep Learning and Time Series Analysis to Tackle the Accuracy and Robustness of the ForecastingProblem. Security and Communication Networks, 2021.
Ali H, Zaid Rafique M, M. S. Sarfraz, Malik MSA, Alqahtani MA, Alqurni JS. 2021. A novel approach for solving the traveling thief problem using enhanced simulated annealing. PeerJ Computer Science, 2021
Xiao, H., Ali, S., Zhang, Z., M. S. Sarfraz, Zhang, F., & Faisal, M. Big Data, Extracting Insights, Comprehension, and Analytics in Cardiology: An Overview. Journal of Healthcare Engineering. Hindawi, 2021
Khan, M. A., M. S. Sarfraz, Alhaisoni, M., Albesher, A. A., Wang, S., & Ashraf, I. StomachNet: Optimal Deep Learning Features Fusion for Stomach Abnormalities Classification. IEEE Access, 2020.
Umair, A., M. S. Sarfraz, Ahmad, M., Habib, U., Ullah, M. H., & Mazzara, M. Spatiotemporal Analysis of Web News Archives for Crime Prediction. Applied Sciences, 2020.
Khan, M. A; Seifedine, K.; Majed A.; Yunyoung N.; Yudong Z.; Venkatesan R.; and M. S. Sarfraz. “Computer-Aided Gastrointestinal Diseases Analysis From Wireless Capsule Endoscopy:A Framework of Best Features Selection. IEEE Access, 2020,
Ahmad, M.; Mazzara, M.; Raza, R.A.; Distefano, S.; Asif, M.; M. S. Sarfraz, Khan, A.M.; Sohaib, Multiclass Non-Randomized Spectral–Spatial Active Learning for Hyperspectral Image Classification. Appl. Sci. 2020.
Tariq M. Imran., Shahzadi T., Ali M. Natash, M. S. Sarfraz, Hussain Akhtar, Imran M. Pricop Emil, Candia O, Paraschiv N. “Combination of AHP and TOPSIS methods for the ranking of information security controls overcome its obstruction under fuzzy environment.” Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems, 2020.
Ashraf, M. Waseem., Manzoor Saher. M. S. Sarfraz, Waseem M. Faisal., Ali Basic., Akhlaq M., Rujita C., Pupa Alex., “Fabrication and fuzzy analysis of AAO membrane with manipulated pore diameter for applications in biotechnology”. Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems, 2020
Tariq M. Imran., Shahzadi T., Ali M. Natash., M. S. Sarfraz, Hussain Akhtar, Imran M. Pricop Emil, Candia O, Paraschiv N. “Intelligent data analysis and applications & smart vehicular technology, communications and applications” Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems, 2020.
Khan, A., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. A Comprehensive Study of Modern and High-Speed TCP-Variant in Linux Kernel: TCP CUBIC. The International Arab Journal of InformationTechnology, 2019
Akram, A., M. S. Sarfraz & Shoaib U. . HLA Run Time Infrastructure: A Comparative Study. Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering & Technology, 2019
Aurangzeb K., Haider I., Khan M.A., Saba T., M. S. Sarfraz, Human Behavior Analysis based on Multi-types Features Fusion and Von Nauman Entropy based Features Reduction. Journal of Medical Imaging and Health Informatics, 2019
Hassan, J., M. S. Sarfraz. Impact of suicide bombings in Pakistan using spatial and temporal analysis. In Seventh International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of the Environment International Society for Optics and Photonics, 2019
Shakoor A., Ahmed A., M. S. Sarfraz. Security Technique in Mobile Clouds to Ensure Malware Prevention. Indian Journal of Science and Technology. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2018.
Naz, N. A., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. A Review on Customer Churn Prediction Data Mining Modeling Techniques. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2018.
Rana, M. F., Shoaib, U., M. S. Sarfraz. Ergonomics Estimation and Dimensions of ATM Usage in Pakistan. Indian Journal of Science and Technology. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2018.
Baig, S., & M. S. Sarfraz. Spatio-temporal Analysis to Predict Environmental Influence on Malaria. Proceedings of ISPRS TC III Mid-term Symposium “Developments, Technologies and Applications in Remote Sensing held in Beijing, 2018
Rana, I. A., Aslam, S., M. S. Sarfraz, & Shoaib, U. Analysis of Query Optimization Components in Distributed Database. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2018.
Mahmood, A., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. A Recommendation System for Cloud Services Selection based on Intelligent Agents. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2018.
Nazar, H., M. S. Sarfraz, & Shoaib, U. Web Accessibility Evaluation of Banking Website in Pakistan. International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, 2017.
Noureen, A., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. Secure Device Pairing Methods: An Overview. INTERNATIONAL Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 2017.
Riaz, A., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. Workplace Design and Employee‘s Performance and Health in Software Industry of Pakistan. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science andApplications, 2017.
Azeem, M. W., M. S. Sarfraz, & Shoaib, U. Comparison of Different Techniques for Detecting Malware in Smartphones. International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security,2017.
Rasheed, A., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. Performance evaluation of Keystone in cloud (OpenStack) for applications in Disaster Management & Recovery. International Journal ofComputer Science and Information Security, 2016.
Rahman, A., M. S. Sarfraz, Shoaib, U., Abbas, G., & Sattar, M. A. . Cloud based E-Learning, Security Threats and Security Measures. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2016.
Tabassum, H., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. Tools and Techniques for Predicting User Browsing Behavior by using Web Usage Mining. International Journal of Computer Science and Information
Rashid, A., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. Knowledge Discovery in Database using Intention Mining. Science International-Lahore, 2016.
Mir, S. S., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. Analysis of Digital Forensic Investigation Models. International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, 2016.
Razzaq, S., Shoaib, U., & M. S. Sarfraz. Evaluation of Image Services in Open Source Clouds for Disaster Management. International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, 2016.
Arshad, M., Nawaz, R., Shahnawaz, M., M. S. Sarfraz, Ahmad S., & S. L. Ranamukhaarachchiet. First and second generation bioethanol production in sweet sorghum, mungbean and soybean in sole and intercropping systems. Trop. Agric, 2015.
Arshad, M., Nawaz, R., Shahnawaz, M., M. S. Sarfraz, Ahmad, S., & Ranamukhaarachi, S. L. Effect of Legume type, Nitrogen Dose and Air Quality on Biomass and Bioethanol Production in Sweet Sorghum-Legume Intercropping. Poljoprivreda i Sumarstvo, 2014.
S. Sarfraz, Tripathi, N. K., Faruque, F. S., Bajwa, U. I., Kitamoto, A., & Souris, M. Mapping urban and peri-urban breeding habitats of Aedes mosquitoes using a fuzzy analytical hierarchical process based on climatic and physical parameters. Geospatial health, 2014.
Nawaz, R., Arshad, M., M. S. Sarfraz, Ashraf, M.W., et. all. Interactions between Acidic (Al3+, Fe2+) and Basic (Ca2+, Mg2+) Cations in Oxisol and Ultisol under Acidification Induced bySimulated Acid Rain. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2014.
S. Sarfraz, Tripathi, N. K., & Kitamoto, A. . Near real-time characterisation of urban environments: a holistic approach for monitoring dengue fever risk areas. International Journal of Digital Earth, 2014.
S. Sarfraz, Tripathi, N. K., Kitamoto, A., and Souris, M. Identification of Urban and Peri-urban Favorable Breeding Habitat for Aedes Mosquitoes. At 2nd symposium on advances ingeospatial technologies for health at Arlington, 2013.
Asif, M., M. S. Sarfraz, Ahmed, M. S., & Tripathi, N. K. . A Two Factor Based Anti-Phishing Method in Open ID. Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research, 2013.
Arshad, M., Cheema, T. A., Ahmad, S., Nawaz, R., M. S. Sarfraz, Shrestha, R. P., & Ranamukhaarachchi, S. L. Yield Comparison of Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Sweet Sorghum and Legume-Based Cropping Systems. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 2013.
S. Sarfraz, Tripathi, N. K., Tipdecho, T., Thongbu, T., Kerdthong, P., & Souris, M. (2012). Analyzing the spatio-temporal relationship between dengue vector larval density and land-use using factor analysis and spatial ring mapping. BMC public health, 2012.
Shahzada, H., Tripathi, N.K., and M. S. Sarfraz, Geo-spatial site suitability for medicinal plants in Chiang Mai, Thailand. At the 1st International Conference on Health Science, Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Mahasarakham University, 2012.
S. Sarfraz, Arshad, M., and Tripathi, N. K. Evaluation Of Ground Hyperspectral Remote Sensing For Precise Satellite Imagery Based Land Cover Classification And Forecasting Of RiceGrain Production. Proceedings of 34th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, 2011.

Collaborations at National and International Level

Detail of Funded Projects

1. HEC Funded Research Project Vector-borne Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Response System using Earth Observation Data. Funding amount Rs. 4.8 Million during 2019-22.
2. NUCES Research Grants Secured PKR 5.4 million in competitive research funding during 2023–2025.
3. Research Productivity Award for seven consecutive years (2020-2026) from FAST-NUCES, Islamabad, Pakistan.
4. Research Productivity Award for the Year 2014 from COMSATS University Islamabad, Pak.
5. HEC Travel Grant for Cyprus to Present Research at Seventh International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of Environment held during 18-21 March 2018.
6. HEC Travel Grant for China to Present Research at “Symposium on ”Developments, Technologies and Applications in Remote Sensing” during May 7-10, 2018 in Beijing.
7. HEC Travel Grant for the Czech Republic to present Research at “XXII International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Congress 2016” during July 12-19, 2016
in Prague. 2 of 23
8. ISPRS Travel Grant for Presenting Research Results at “ISPRS TC VIII Mid-Term Symposium 2014” by ISPRS Foundation during 9-12 December 2014 in Hyderabad, India.
9. GSA-USA Travel Fund for Presenting Research at “Geological Society of America, 2014” by GSA International Section held on 19-22 October 2014 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
10. Travel Grant under NASA fund for Presenting Research Results at “2nd Symposium on Advances in Geospatial Technologies for Health” by NASA held during August 25-29, 2013 in
Arlington, USA.
11. Best Oral Presentation Award at the 1st International Conference on Health Science Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine held from 21-23 Nov, 2012 at Maha Sarakham, Thailand.
12. ProSPER.NET Thesis Competition runner-up for Research Presentation held at HQ of United Nation (UN) University, Japan during August 2011.
13. HEC Scholarship for M.S. leading to Ph.D.
14. 1st Position in the Department of Computer Science, Batch-2006, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.