Welcome from the Head of the School of STEM
Hello, I’m Dr. Mohammed Rehman, Head of the School of STEM at Arden University. My career began in media, graphic design, and desktop publishing before transitioning to IT administration and support in the publishing and education sectors. I later moved into education, first as an academic in multimedia, then in computing and business, before progressing to leadership roles in computing.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve developed and delivered courses at foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. My work has also focused on technology-enhanced learning, leading various projects and initiatives in this area. I completed my PhD in 2020, which explored mobile learning and the use of mobile devices in higher education across diverse cultural contexts.
I’m passionate about empowering students to thrive in STEM fields and am excited to support you in achieving your academic and career goals.
Joanne Newton has worked in higher education and degree apprenticeships, where she has developed and delivered various programmes across levels 4 -7, ensuring they align to current industry requirements and encompass the composite skills and accreditations required by professionals today.
With a background in industry, she started her own IT training and consultancy company offering advice and support to companies in various projects. As a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and Cisco Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI), she has also had the opportunity to mentor and support many IT professionals in attaining the knowledge and certifications to further their careers.
Marcus is Emeritus Professor of Digital Media Education and former Head of Department of the School of Media and Film at the University of Winchester and Visiting Professor at the University of Costa Rica. He is a National Teaching Fellow and the author/editor of eight books and numerous journal articles and book chapters. A sociologist by training, he has worked with national and international bodies and organizations developing media and creative education and is currently completing an MA by research in Ceramics Design Education at Limerick School of Art and Design.
Joanne Newton has worked in higher education and degree apprenticeships, where she has developed and delivered various programmes across levels 4 -7, ensuring they align to current industry requirements and encompass the composite skills and accreditations required by professionals today.
With a background in industry, she started her own IT training and consultancy company offering advice and support to companies in various projects. As a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and Cisco Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI), she has also had the opportunity to mentor and support many IT professionals in attaining the knowledge and certifications to further their careers.
Mina Katti joined Arden University in 2021 as a Programme Team Leader before being promoted to the position of Principal Lecturer in 2022 and then Deputy Head of School in April 2023. She has undertaken several duties external to her role such as External Examiner at the Open University and the University of Bedfordshire, and validation panel membership for various programmes.
Before joining Arden, Mina worked in various roles in the further education sector and gained expertise in a range of subjects. She is currently studying her Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Northampton, researching digital strategy and innovation management. Whilst working in Further Education, she galvanised curriculum innovation to make courses more up-to-date and sought to instil employability and industry skills into courses. She champions micro credentials and professional certifications such as Cisco CCNA, CompTIA, MOS, MCE, and MTA alongside core curriculum modules.
Her current interest in DevOps emerged from her studies in cyber security and networking, however, she is equally conversant in software development. Mina is also experienced in training students to provide IT and business consultancy, and to local businesses in areas such as business analysis, user requirements, legal, technical, SLA, and service provisioning.
In her current role, Mina manages the School of Computing’s Distance Learning undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and is keen to improve the student experience and the quality of provision on the distance learning programmes.
Chris began his academic career in 2005 when he joined the Microsoft Academy Team at Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre. He has extensive experience with professional certification programmes, learning technologies and embedding employability within the Computing curriculum.
Victor Vargas is a lecturer at Arden University’s Berlin campus, teaching several modules for the School of Computing and the School of Business and Management. With everything from an MBA in Project Management to a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering under his belt, Victor has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with Arden’s students.
His work covers many exciting projects and subject areas such as biomedical engineering, robotics and machine design, and he’s even worked as an expert in the field of digitalisation. Victor also has many personal attributes that make him an inspiring lecturer, including being fluent in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and German!
Amol Kshatriya is a Lecturer in the School of Computing and teaches at our Birmingham study centres. Before joining Arden, he worked for Dudley College of Technology for 20 years as a Course Tutor and Programme Leader for the HNC/D in Computing. Along with MSc (Sys Design) and MBA (Mgmt of Global IT) he also owns a patent and a registered design. He has keen interest in knowledge management, cognition, AI, and machine learning among other topics.
Rob McLaughlin is an experienced academic who specialises in User Design, Media Context and Digital Strategies. His experience includes the development and management of digital training provision, BSc and MSc course leadership and nearly 20 years teaching within a University environment, A Prince2 Practitioner he has, over the course of his career, developed IT and digital media related courses with the emphasis always being on both technology and applied business focused learning and teaching,
His specialism is in aspects of creative knowledge generation/transfer, enterprise activity, and practice-led learning within the sphere of digital media technology, business engagement, enterprise and student employability. He has been responsible for curating added value content around STEM impact areas, research, innovation and industry engagement within schools, colleges and education providers.
Dr Kousik Nalliyanna Goundar Veerappan is a lecturer in the School of Computing and teaches at Arden’s Holborn study centre. Prior to joining Arden, he worked as a lecturer at Stanmore College in London. He is very interested in IT and computing, and his main goal is to advance the state of technology. He completed the Doctor of Philosophy research degree in Computer Science. He has published many research papers in prestigious international journals and is an expert in the field of foundational computer science, cloud computing methodologies, image processing, and wireless sensor networks. He actively supports and encourages students as they learn, making sure that each student fully grasps the theories and practical essential ideas covered in their individual courses.
Nas joined Arden University in 2022 as a Lecturer in the School of Digital Education and in 2024 joined the School of Computing as a Lecturer at the Manchester Campus. Prior to this, Nas worked for 16 years in higher education institutions in roles such as Assistant Professor of Information Systems, Director of Information Systems, Instructional Technology Manager, and Director of Academic Planning. As an academic, Nas has over 7 years of teaching experience and has research interests in technology adoption, ICT for development (ICT4D), learning and teaching technologies, and cyber security with several publications in reputable conferences and journals.
Dr Muhammad Saqib is Senior Lecturer and Programme Team Leader at Arden’s Berlin Campus. An experienced lecturer and researcher, he joined Arden in July 2024. He is a Google Certified Data Analyst and a Senior Fellow by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), UK. Prior to joining Arden, he taught on university programmes at Coventry University, University of Wolverhampton, Breda University, and Berlin School of Business & Innovation. His expertise includes Data Science, Database Technologies, ICT Management, Knowledge Management, and Business Intelligence & Analytics. He has also undertaken several administrative responsibilities and successfully undertook several projects and pieces of research. Dr Saqib is proficient in the use of Python, Java, JDK, C++, SQL, SPSS, PLS SEM and MS Office packages. He is currently actively engaged in research and publications which keep him abreast of developments within his subject area.
Paul joined Arden University in 2024 as a Lecturer, after previous stints at Global Banking School (GBS), Birmingham City University (BCU) and the University of Wolverhampton. He has worked in a variety of roles in the public and private sector over the last 20 years, including software developer, business analyst and specialist technician for the School of Computing and IT in Wolverhampton. He has supervised numerous students through their projects, including several award-winning dissertations during his time at BCU.
In 2024, he was delighted to win the Best Contribution to Employability Award for Birmingham whilst working for GBS. His interests include computer systems, gaming and IoT. He has worked with C#, Python, PHP, ASP.NET, Linux, Windows, Raspberry Pi and Arduino, and has a passion for retro computing systems, specifically the Commodore Amiga and the Sinclair Spectrum. He is currently investigating AI and VR / AR
Lee is a Mathematician and Data Scientist and has worked in both higher education and degree apprenticeships environments. Lee has planned, designed and developed programmes across all academic levels including Data Science and Data Mining, ensuring alignment to progressive industry requirements and skills. Lee completed his PhD in Magnetohydrodynamics at Coventry University, researching liquid metal blanket systems for nuclear fusion reactors. Lee has published multiple research papers in prestigious international journals and his thesis is housed within the British Library. Lee is an expert in Tensor Calculus, Linear Algebra, Fluid Dynamics, Nuclear Physics and Data Science. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and Programme Team Leader.
Prior to joining Arden, Lee led and taught on multiple programmes at the University of Wolverhampton and co-wrote a Pure Mathematics undergraduate degree at Newman University. Lee is also proficient in the use of Python, Java, Fortran90, SPSS and Tableau.