School of STEM - Meet the Team

Head of School & Head of Departments

Dr. Mohammed Rehman

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.

Dr. Mohammed Rehman
Head of School of STEM
Joanne Newton

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.

Joanne Newton
Head of Department Computing & Technology UG
Mina Katti

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.

Mina Katti
Head of Department - Distance Learning

Senior Lecturers and Programme Team Leaders

Chris Maguire

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.

Chris Maguire
Programme Team Leader for Dissertations (Computing)
Bhawna Jasuja

Bhawna Jasuja has been the Programme Team Leader at Arden University since 2023. With extensive academic experience across various universities and continents, she holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in Computer Science, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Training. Her expertise spans teaching, curriculum development, and module and programme leadership, as well as student admissions and recruitment. She leads a team of 5 full-time staff and more than 15 associate lecturers across the Distance Learning programme.

Bhawna Jasuja
Programme Team Leader (Distance Learning)
Dr Muhammad Saqib

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.

Dr Muhammad Saqib
Senior Lecturer and Programme Team Leader (Berlin)
Dr Victor Vargas

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!  

Dr Victor Vargas
Senior Lecturer
Dr Lee Braiden

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.

Dr Lee Braiden
Senior Lecturer
Philip Prior

Since developing for various BBC web platforms at the turn of the millennium, Phil Prior has been continually engaged with the creation of digital media artefacts, be they websites, digital video productions or database driven applications. Alongside this, since 2004, he has taught as an academic in both the higher and further education sectors, taking responsibility for programme development and delivery in digital media production, critical media analysis and computing. His specialisms are centred around the practical application of technology, primarily in the field of entertainment, from staying on top of consumer hardware trends, communications and compression technology developments, to cybersecurity exercises and video gaming.

Philip Prior
Senior Lecturer
Agneau Belanyek

Agneau is a Senior Lecturer within STEM. He joined Arden in November 2023 having previously taught for many years in schools, universities and other HE institutions with various curriculum and pastoral responsibilities, as well as consulting for exam boards to develop their syllabuses and run national examinations. He has a wide range of academic interests in computer science and interdisciplinary areas such as formal logic and computational linguistics, as well as in education policy and practice.

Agneau Belanyek
Senior Lecturer
Jeyaprabhavathi Perumal

Jeyaprabhavathi Perumal is a Senior Lecturer in Computing at Arden University, where she leads a team of lecturers and associate lecturers across London campuses, fostering a collaborative and supportive academic environment. She oversees module quality assurance, supports academic staff development, and conducts teaching observations to promote instructional quality and student engagement. She supports the marking team collaboratively, assisting with a variety of marking and moderation challenges while working towards the timely release of provisional grades. Alongside these duties, she coordinates the timetabling of London campuses and manages daily academic queries to ensure seamless operations.

As the Faculty Link Tutor, Jeyaprabhavathi plays a key role in managing the quality of international partnership delivery, overseeing academic standards, and coordinating standardisation meetings to ensure consistency across partner institutions. Her academic background includes an MSc in Computer Science and a Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Education in Practice; she is currently advancing her leadership skills with an Executive MBA in Artificial Intelligence and pursuing a PhD in IoT-driven precision healthcare.

With more than 24 years of experience, Jeyaprabhavathi brings together technical expertise in computing and a passion for educational leadership. Her career has included roles such as Curriculum Manager for IT at Stanmore College and Head of Computing at Limkokwing University London, and her commitment to collaborative approaches and innovation continues to drive student achievement and academic excellence.

Jeyaprabhavathi Perumal
Senior Lecturer
Dr. Rajeswari Matam

Rajeswari is Programme Team Leader and a Senior Lecturer. She is a specialist in Health Informatics and Signal Processing with several years of experience applying AI models to a wide range of real-world problems. As module leader and currently programme team leader, she has a wealth of experience in curriculum development, academic management and higher education.Rajeswari’s PhD was in the area of information and data security where she worked on exploring algorithms to securely hide data in time-series. As a post-doc she created visual informatics capable of inferring rapid deterioration in children in the ICU. She has published articles in various journals and is also a peer reviewer for Springer Nature.

Dr. Rajeswari Matam
Senior Lecturer
Johnson Wu

Johnson joined Arden University as a Computing Lecturer in 2023 and assumed the role of Senior Lecturer in 2025. He has been an educator for Computing in the further/higher education sector for more than 11 years, and is experienced in accreditation, curriculum development, module leadership, programme administration and leadership, student recruiting, internship coordination and liaison with external stakeholders. Johnson attained his BSc (Hons) and MPhil degrees from the University of Hong Kong, both in Computer Science.

As a lecturer, he has focused on teaching software development subjects ranging from introductory programming and object-oriented programming to enterprise system development and design patterns. He has supervised numerous student projects for 9 years of his teaching career.

Thanks to some years running his own travel business, Johnson has strong customer service and interpersonal skills and is very conscious of people's having different characteristics, concerns and interests. During the time, besides travel related work, he also practised systems analysis and development for internal use while looking after the IT infrastructure, taking care of system administration and network configuration. Johnson is particularly passionate about programming and software development in general.

He has been working heavily with C, C++, Java, Python, HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, SQL and Jave EE (JSP, JSF and JPQL). On the infrastructure side, he is also experienced in Cisco routers and switches, Linux, VirtualBox, FreeNAS and automatic storage synchronisation with Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive.

Johnson Wu
Senior Lecturer
Loraine Singh

Loraine Charlet Annie is a Senior Lecturer in Computing and teaches at Arden’s Manchester campus. She is passionate about teaching the core modules of computing and encouraging the students to use them in their studies and professions. Prior to joining Arden University, she worked at various roles such as Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer, Programme Coordinator and software developer for more than 13 years.

She completed her PhD in Computer Science and Engineering in the year of 2013. Her research interests are Data mining and pattern recognition; her research contributions are published in conferences and journals. She is also a Fellow of Higher Education Academy. 

Loraine Singh
Senior Lecturer

Lecturers

Mr Ali Vaisfard

Ali Vaisifard is a Lecturer in Computer Science at Arden University’s Berlin campus, with over fourteen years of teaching and academic management experience. He holds master’s degrees in Data Science and Software Engineering and has extensive experience teaching modules in Mathematics and Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, and Programming.

Before joining Arden, Ali worked in various higher education roles, including Program Manager and Lecturer, where he led curriculum design and the development of virtual learning systems. His teaching and research interests include AI, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, and Cloud Computing. Ali is passionate about integrating emerging technologies into education and fostering an inclusive learning environment that bridges academic theory with real-world application.

Mr Ali Vaisfard
Lecturer
Dr. Zainab Pirani

Dr Zainab Pirani is a Lecturer in Computing at Arden University with over 22 years of experience in higher education, curriculum design, and academic leadership. Before joining Arden, she taught at De Montfort University and served as Head of Computer Engineering at Mumbai University, where she led programme development and quality enhancement initiatives.

She holds a PhD in Computer Engineering and is recognised as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Microsoft Certified Educator, demonstrating her commitment to technology-enhanced learning and student-centred teaching. Dr Pirani has authored over 70 international research papers and co-authored the textbook Software Testing and Quality Assurance. Her academic interests include assistive technologies, curriculum innovation and the continuous improvement of digital learning experiences.

Dr. Zainab Pirani
Lecturer
Dr. Usman Akhtar

Dr. Usman Akhtar is a Lecturer in the School of Computing at Arden University Berlin, bringing over a decade of expertise in Computer Science and Engineering. With a Ph.D. in the field, he specializes in Big Data, Cloud-Centric IoT, and Digital Health, focusing on innovative solutions that address real-world challenges.

At Arden University, Dr. Akhtar is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of tech professionals, delivering hands-on education in software engineering, data analytics, and high-performance computing. His teaching philosophy emphasizes practical, industry-relevant skills, ensuring students are prepared for the demands of modern technology.

Dr. Akhtar’s career is marked by leadership in international research projects, including collaborations funded by the European Union and the Korean Ministry of Trade. His contributions include developing cloud-based medical platforms, pioneering ride-pooling algorithms, and advancing wellness-based ubiquitous systems. He is the recipient of the Brain Korea 21st Century Plus Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship at KyungHee University, and he holds a registered patent for his work in linked data innovation.

A strong advocate for lifelong learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Akhtar continues to push the boundaries of technology through research, teaching, and industry engagement.

Dr. Usman Akhtar
Lecturer
Mr Muhammad Fahad Saleem

Muhammad Fahad Saleem is a Lecturer in Computing at Arden University with experience spanning academia and industry. He holds an MSc in Advanced Computer Science with Research from the University of Hertfordshire, where his research focused on deep learning applications for epilepsy detection. His expertise covers artificial intelligence, data science and cyber security, supported by professional experience as a Security Analyst and Data Analyst.

At Arden, Fahad is dedicated to delivering research-informed and industry-relevant teaching. His research interests include deep learning, computer vision and AI-driven applications in healthcare and cyber security. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of both BCS and IEEE.

Mr Muhammad Fahad Saleem
Lecturer
Najira Salam

Najira Salam is a lecturer at Arden University’s Berlin campus, holding a postgraduate degree in Networks and Security. She teaches modules across both the BSc Computing and MSc Cybersecurity programs. Before joining Arden University, she worked as a Software Developer and lecturer at various universities.

Her teaching approach emphasizes practical, hands-on learning using cybersecurity tools such as Wireshark, Metasploit, Nmap, and Burp Suite. She also engages students in interactive cybersecurity labs using platforms like TryHackMe and EC-Council’s iLabs, helping them develop both defensive and offensive security skills applicable to real-world scenarios. Additionally, she is proficient in using Cisco Packet Tracer for network simulation and instruction.

Najira Salam
Lecturer
Anju Bansal

Anju Bansal has been part of Arden University since 2018 and brings over 15 years of experience in higher education. A dynamic and student-focused teaching professional, Anju has successfully taken on multiple roles including Program Manager, Lecturer, Supervisor, and Module Leader. Her teaching and leadership are driven by strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, and a deep commitment to fostering student success through innovation and academic excellence.

With expertise in areas such as Data Analytics, Social Media Analytics, Data Visualization and Interpretation, Programming (Java and Python), Project Management, and Technology Innovation, Anju integrates both academic and practical approaches to deliver impactful learning experiences. She holds an Associate Fellowship in Higher Education, a PGCE in HE, and serves as an External Examiner. In recognition of her teaching excellence and forward-thinking practices, she was awarded the “Innovative Teaching Award” at Arden University in June 2022.

Anju Bansal
Lecturer
Musarrat Nipun

Musarrat Nipun holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Business Management. She began her career in the software industry as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer before progressing to a Software Developer role, gaining extensive technical and professional experience. Over the past five years, she has transitioned into academia, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate computing modules.

Musarrat joined Arden University over three years ago, initially as an Associate Lecturer, and now serves as a permanent Lecturer. She supervises student projects, particularly those focused on software development, and has contributed to over thirteen publications, including journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters. Her current research interests include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with recent work exploring the use of AI in higher education. She is committed to inspiring students to engage deeply with computer science and pursue excellence in the field.

Musarrat Nipun
Lecturer
Amin Banadaki

Amin Banadaki is a Lecturer at Arden University’s Berlin Campus. An experienced data scientist, lecturer, and researcher, he joined Arden in 2023. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Technical University of Berlin and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Tabriz, Iran. Amin has extensive teaching experience across several institutions, including HTW University of Applied Sciences and StartSteps Academy in Berlin. His teaching areas include Python, Data Visualization, Machine Learning, Mathematics for Data Science, and Cloud Computing.

Before joining Arden, Amin worked as a Full Stack Data Scientist at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), where he developed analytical dashboards, applied machine learning techniques to spatial and temporal data, and contributed to research on predictive modelling. He has also been involved in various freelance and collaborative projects, applying data science and artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems across different domains.

Amin’s research and teaching expertise cover Machine Learning, Explainable AI (XAI), Data Analytics, and Applied Statistics. He is highly proficient in programming and analytical tools such as Python, Tableau, Plotly, Azure, and SQL. His innovative work has been recognised internationally, earning him Silver Medals at the International Inventions Contests in Geneva (2015) and Istanbul (2017). Passionate about integrating research with education, Amin continues to engage in academic and applied research that advances the field of data science and enriches student learning at Arden University.

Amin Banadaki
Lecturer
Dr Terssa Chikohora

Dr Teressa Chikohora is a lecturer in the School of STEM at Arden University, Distance Learning. She has over 16 years experience in higher education having taught across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Computing and Information Systems, delivered through a blend of face-to-face, online, and hybrid modes. Prior to her current role, she held teaching and academic support positions that enriched her understanding of diverse learning contexts and informed her commitment to educational excellence. Teressa actively contributes to scholarly discourse through research, supervision, and collaborative academic initiatives in Applied Computing with focus on business and information systems and educational technology.

Dr Terssa Chikohora
Lecturer
Nour Albaarini

Nour Albaarini is a Lecturer in Computer Science, specialising in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC). Nour joined academia in 2018 and brings over seven years of industrial experience in data science and applied analytics. Nour's teaching and research are driven by a commitment to integrating advanced computational methods with practical solutions that address real-world challenges in technology and society.

Nour holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with First Class Honours, a Master’s degree in Big Data Analytics, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Research. His research interests include the Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities, and the application of AI in education and healthcare. He is particularly interested in how data-driven intelligence can enhance decision-making, improve quality of life, and support sustainable innovation across digital ecosystems.

Through his academic and professional experience, Nour continues to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, advocating for the ethical development and responsible use of AI technologies. His work contributes to the advancement of intelligent systems that are both efficient and socially beneficial.

Nour Albaarini
Lecturer
Jerry J.P. Bent

Jerry J.P. Bent is a Lecturer in Computing within the School of STEM at Arden University leading two modules, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He brings over two decades of professional and academic experience across the ICT and higher education sectors. His teaching and research interests lie at the intersection of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics, with a focus on how technology can enhance learning, assessment, and business transformation.

Before joining Arden University, Jerry held academic and leadership roles in further education, where he served as Lecturer, Senior eLearning Analyst, and Teaching and Learning Specialist. He has extensive experience in module leadership, curriculum design, and technology-enhanced learning.

A passionate advocate for educational innovation, Jerry is currently exploring how AI-driven assessment and feedback systems can improve consistency, fairness, and learner engagement in higher education. His MBA in Data Analytics has strengthened his analytical and strategic capabilities, aligning with his commitment to data-informed teaching and institutional development.

Jerry J.P. Bent
Lecturer
Dr Zahra Muhsin

Dr. Zahra Muhsin, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, is a Lecturer in the School of Science, Technology, and Mathematics at Arden University’s Manchester Campus. She holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Bradford and brings extensive experience across both industry and academia in the UK and abroad. Before joining Arden, she was a Lecturer at SAE Institute and a member of the Board of Trustees for the 4 Wing Charitable Organisation in Liverpool, UK.

Dr. Muhsin has developed and delivered modules in computational intelligence, creative coding, data mining and visualisation, computer applications, object-oriented programming, web technologies, mobile app development, and game AI, and has supervised numerous successfully concluded final-year projects. An active researcher, she has contributed to multiple industrial projects in the UK and internationally, with expertise in AI-driven medical diagnosis, cloud computing, and electronic and mobile health applications. Her work has resulted in impactful real-world applications and over 30 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including IEEE, Eye and Vision, International Ophthalmology, and Computers in Biology and Medicine, and she has presented her research at numerous IEEE international conferences. She is currently collaborating on a cross-institutional project exploring AI for the early diagnosis and staging of keratoconus, a corneal disease.

Dr Zahra Muhsin
Lecturer
Akhila Ajayan

Akhila S Ajayan is a Lecturer in Cyber Security with over four years of experience spanning academia and industry. She holds an M.Tech in Cyber Forensics and Information Security. A passionate educator, she designs and delivers research-informed, hands-on modules in ethical hacking, digital forensics, and vulnerability assessment. She is an expert in a wide range of offensive security and forensic tools and her teaching integrates platforms like TryHackMe and EC-Council iLabs, providing students with immersive, real-world cybersecurity lab experiences.

Before joining Arden, Akhila served as an Assistant Professor in Cyber Security and Cyber Security Instructor, and gained industry experience with pentesting company Siemba in the US, where she contributed to vulnerability assessment, incident response, and penetration testing projects. Her research interests include offensive security, digital forensics, and AI-driven threat intelligence. Committed to bridging academia and industry, she inspires students to pursue professional certifications and develop the technical and ethical skills essential for modern cybersecurity practice.

Akhila Ajayan
Lecturer
Amol Kshatriya

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.

Amol Kshatriya
Lecturer
Rob McLaughlin

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.

Rob McLaughlin
Lecturer
Dr Kousik Nalliyanna Goundar Veerappan

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.

Dr Kousik Nalliyanna Goundar Veerappan
Lecturer
Nas Yakubu

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.

Nas Yakubu
Lecturer
Paul Shemmell

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
 

Paul Shemmell
Lecturer
Dr Kanos Matyokurehwa

Dr Kanos Matyokurehwa is a lecturer at Arden University’s at Birmingham campus. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 2021 which focussed on requirements elicitation for enterprise systems. Prior to joining Arden University, he worked at various universities over the past 15 years in the capacity as a lecturer and Head of Department.

Dr Kanos Matyokurehwa
Lecturer
Shahab Malik

Shahab Hayat Malik is a highly experienced academic and IT professional with over 30 years of combined experience in university teaching, enterprise consulting, and digital project leadership. He currently lectures at Arden University, Manchester, where he leads modules in Computer Systems Security and Information Security Management, and teaches across a wide range of topics including programming, databases, system analysis, and digital business.Shahab’s teaching approach is shaped by his deep industry background, which allows him to deliver applied, real-world insights alongside theoretical instruction. His focus is on preparing students to meet modern IT challenges with both technical proficiency and critical problem-solving skills.Shahab holds an MSc in Internet Technologies, a Postgraduate Diploma in Computing from Griffith College Dublin, and an MPA in Business and Marketing. His professional certifications include CISSP, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and Implementer, and several short courses in ethical hacking, digital marketing, and secure systems design.Combining extensive teaching experience with hands-on technical expertise, Shahab brings a unique perspective to computing education. He is passionate about cybersecurity, digital innovation, and empowering students with the skills to thrive in a dynamic technology landscape.

Shahab Malik
Lecturer
Mike Allen

Mike Allen is a Lecturer in the School of STEM and teaches on our distance learning programmes. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Before joining Arden, he worked for Dudley College of Technology, Telford College of Arts and Technology, delivering courses in programming, web development to HND students and was course tutor for T Levels. He has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry from working in IT Support roles to delivering training to businesses in Malaysia as a Microsoft Certified Trainer and is proficient with C#, ASP.Net, PHP, Java, SQL and has supported Windows operating systems since NT4.

Mike Allen
Lecturer
Athira Chitrapal

Athira is a Lecturer at Arden University with over 14 years of experience in higher education. She holds postgraduate degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Information Systems, and her expertise spans data science, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. Before joining Arden, Athira held academic roles at Napier International College and Aston University. She is passionate about delivering research-informed, industry-relevant teaching, with a strong emphasis on applied, hands-on learning. Her teaching integrates tools such as Python, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and Jupyter Notebooks, as well as cyber security tools including Wireshark, Metasploit, Nmap, and Burp Suite.

She actively engages students in practical cyber security labs using platforms like TryHackMe and EC-Council’s iLabs, enhancing their real-world defensive and offensive security skills. Her courses include a strong focus on offensive security, where students learn ethical hacking techniques, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation methods. Her research interests focus on machine learning applications in predictive analytics, image recognition, and intelligent systems for education and cyber security. She is currently engaged in research exploring the integration of AI-driven models in digital learning environments.

Athira Chitrapal
Lecturer
Dr. Ahmed Hassan

Dr. Ahmed Hassan is a Lecturer in Computer Science at Arden University’s Berlin Campus. He earned his PhD in Computer Science from Humboldt University of Berlin as a DAAD scholar, with research focused on serious games that foster social collaboration and emotional intelligence in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He has taught at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences and the Berlin School of Business and Innovation, covering Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, and Natural Language Processing. Alongside academia, he gained industry experience as a Web Developer at Bit Craft. Dr. Hassan is proficient in Python, R, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hadoop, Spark, Hive, and data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI. He has published widely in international journals and conferences, with research interests spanning serious games, AI-driven personalization, and applied machine learning. His work bridges theory and practice, enriching both his teaching and research.

Dr. Ahmed Hassan
Lecturer
Dr Ahmed Hassan

Dr. Ahmed Hassan is a Lecturer in Computer Science at Arden University’s Berlin Campus. He earned his PhD in Computer Science from Humboldt University of Berlin as a DAAD scholar, with research focused on serious games that foster social collaboration and emotional intelligence in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He has taught at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences and the Berlin School of Business and Innovation, covering Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, and Natural Language Processing. Alongside academia, he gained industry experience as a Web Developer at Bit Craft. Dr. Hassan is proficient in Python, R, SQL, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hadoop, Spark, Hive, and data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI. He has published widely in international journals and conferences, with research interests spanning serious games, AI-driven personalization, and applied machine learning. His work bridges theory and practice, enriching both his teaching and research.

Dr Ahmed Hassan
Lecturer