Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology is led by Professor Mak Sharma. Mak delivered outstanding leadership across four highly successful departments during a distinguished 35-year career at Birmingham City University (BCU), consistently achieving growth in income, reputation, and academic innovation. With expertise spanning electronic engineering, computer science, and business, he has led enterprise projects valued at over £14 million across sectors including computer networks, IoT, data analytics, logistics, niche vehicle optimisation, and healthcare education.

Internationally recognised for pioneering the integration of vendor resources into academic curricula, Mak created sustained partnerships with leading global technology companies such as Cisco, Microsoft, SAS and Oracle. His initiatives have embedded real-world problem-based learning into programmes across computing, engineering, business, and health, underpinning collaborations with the Ministry of Justice, industry, and commerce. His work has also supported course development, research, and enterprise initiatives across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

In recognition of his contributions, Mak has been awarded a Professorship, numerous invited leadership roles, and the honour of serving as an Olympic torchbearer for the London 2012 Games—an accolade dedicated to his Cisco colleagues and his Cisco team at BCU. 

A committed researcher, he has co-edited a book and published over 25 works, focusing on computer science education, healthcare innovation, and dementia support. He continues to lead, organise, and publish in major IEEE, IGI Global, and Springer conferences and journals.

In 2023, Mak was appointed Dean of Business Development at Global Banking School (GBS), part of the Global Education Group (GEDU). In this role, he has focused on programme development, fostering industry and education partnerships, and mentoring and advising both staff and students across the institution.