Latest News & Events

8th  April 2025 | SIBAU, Pakistan

An NTNU delegtaion including faculty members and two Norwegian students hosted by the local business owner Amir Ghuri. Mr Ghuri shared Pakistani culture with Norwagian students  and discussed matters of mutual interests. 

8th  April 2025 | SIBAU, Pakistan

Mudassar Yamin, and Mohib Ullah conducted a workshop at SIBAU on latest trends in applied computer science.  

6th - 12th April 2025 | SIBAU, Pakistan

A delegation of four NTNU members including two Norwegian students Teodor and Victor visited SIBAU from 6th - 12th April 2025.  They were hosted by Prof. Sher Muhammad Daudpota, Dean at SIBAU. The students are visiting SIBAU as part of the mobiity exchange program under CONNECT short-term mobility between NTNU and SIBUA. 

28th Feburary 2025 | NTNU, Norway

The NORPART CONNECT one-day workshop at NTNU Gjøvik provided an excellent platform for exchange students to present their ongoing research projects. We were honored to have Prof. Ali Shariq Imran and Prof. Muhammad Mudassar Yamin join us in person, while Prof. Zenun Kastri from LUN Sweden participated virtually. MACS students Muhammad Fahad, Noor E Mobeen, Muhammad Saif, and Ammar Ahmed also engaged in insightful discussions.

The day wrapped up with a delightful dinner at Peppes Pizza in Gjøvik.

26th Feburary 2025 | NTNU, Norway

In the 4th batch, 5 master's students—Abdul Manaf, Safdar Hussain, Sanaullah, Shahnawaz Qureshi, and Abdul Rehman—from Sukkur IBA University have arrived at NTNU i Gjøvik for a research-based exchange semester under the NORPART CONNECT project. Over the next four months, they will be engaged in various research projects. The MACS students, along with project coordinator Ali Shariq Imran, welcomed them with a campus tour and warm greetings.

Wishing them a fantastic stay filled with learning and new experiences!

28th January 2025 | NTNU, Norway

We’re so proud to share that the first student-led publication under the CONNECT project has achieved a remarkable milestone!  A systematic literature review (SLR) on Explainable AI for medical and healthcare, conducted by talented NORPART students Mr. Subhan Ali Mangi, Ms. Filza Akhlaq, and Mr. Muhammad Moosa, under the expert supervision of Dr. Ali Shariq Imran, Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota, and Dr. Zenun Kastrati, has earned over 100 citations in less than 2 years—and it’s still growing!

This achievement highlights the incredible potential of our students and the impact they’re making in the field of AI and healthcare. Keep up the great work!. 

16th -  20th September 2024 | NTNU, Norway

A delegation of SIBAU, including the vice chancellor and dean of CS department, are visiting NTNU for the midterm evaluation meeting. 

8th -  11th September 2024 | Geneva, Switzerland

Muhammad Fahad, a master student at MACS under CONNECT presented his reserach work at EUVIP 2024 in Geneva. The paper title was, "Advancing Gastrointestinal Disease Diagnosis: A Fine-Grained Approach Using Swin Transformer and Explainable AI Techniques". The article was nominated for the best paper award. 

30th August 2024 | NTNU, Norway

The first successful batch of Masters in Applied Computer Science under the NORPART-CONNECT program defended their theses in June 2024! We are proud to announce that Mr. Muhammad Moosa and Mr. Subhan Ali were the pioneering students who received fully funded scholarships for their master's studies at NTNU in Gjøvik. 

We congratulate them and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors!

21st August 2024 | SIBAU, Pakistan

The Department of Compute Science, Sukkur IBA University recently hosted two students and one faculty member from NTNU Norway under NORPART-CONNECT partnership. During this exchange period, a one-day workshop under the NORPART-CONNECT program was organized on August 21m 2024. The workshop, led by Dr. Muhammad Mudassar Yamin, Associate Professor in the Department of Information and Communication Technology at NTNU, focused on exploring the latest research and development in the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Cyber Security.

This workshop was a part of the NORPART-CONNECT partnership between Sukkur IBA University and NTNU, aimed at knowledge exchange between the two institutions. Faculty members and students from Sukkur IBA University actively participated in the workshop, engaging in insightful discussions and activities centered on cutting-edge advancements in the field.

16 - 25st August 2024 | SIBAU, Pakistan

Welcoming NTNU Norway Delegation at Department of Computer Science Sukkur IBA University!

From August 16-25, 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting two Master's students, Bjørn Morten Moan and Lasse Bærland Strand, along with Dr. Muhammad Mudassar Yamin, Associate Professor from the Department of Information and Communication Technology at NTNU, Norway. Their visit was part of the NORPART-CONNECT program, promoting academic exchange and collaboration.

During their 10-day stay, our guests immersed themselves in the vibrant academic environment at Sukkur IBA University. They observed classroom teaching across various departments, sharing and learning best practices in education. Interacting with Sukkur IBA University students was highlight of this exchange program.  

Beyond the campus, they were taken on a cultural journey to explore the historical sites around Sukkur, giving them a deeper appreciation of Pakistan's rich heritage. They also visited The Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University and Aror University Sukkur, where they engaged with faculty and students, fostering connections across institutions. We are grateful to The Aror University and The BNB-WU colleagues for hosting the exchange delegates. 

Of course, no visit to Pakistan would be complete without indulging in its delicious traditional cuisine! Our guests enjoyed the flavors of authentic Pakistani dishes, experiencing the warmth and hospitality we are known for.

We are delighted to hear that they appreciated the hospitality and culture of Pakistan, and we look forward to more such enriching exchanges in the future!

28th May 2024 | NTNU, Norway

CONNECT hosted a final progress presentation workshop for six exchange students wrapping up their semester at NTNU i Gjøvik. These talented students showcased their research achievements and shared memorable experiences from their time here. The event concluded with a delightful dinner at EGON Gjøvik, filled with laughter and fun discussions. As they head back to Sukkur IBA University in Pakistan to continue their master's studies, we wish them all the best on their journey. Safe travels on May 30th!

The event was coordinated by project coordinator Ali Shariq Imran and our MACS student Subhan Ali Mangi and attended virtually by Dr. Zenun Kastrati and Dr. Fisnik Dalipi from LNU Sweden..

24th April 2024 | NTNU, Norway

CONNECT team, in collaboration with the International Office at NTNU in Gjøvik, organized an awareness session for NTNU students and Ph.D. scholars on possible exchange opportunities at Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan for NTNU students and PhD Scholars. 

We had a guest speaker from Sukkur IBA University, Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota, who shared information about SIBAU and the facilities that NTNU students can use during their exchange there. 

Mr. Ali Shariq Imran, who is also CONNECT coordinator at NTNU, shared various opportunities that can be availed through NORPART-CONNECT, while Dr. Muhammad Mudassir Yamin (Associate Professor at NTNU) shared his experience of visiting Sukkur IBA University. Mr. Sarang Shaikh, the current PhD Scholar at NTNU, shared his experience of being a student at Sukkur IBA University during his master's, and Mr. Subhan Ali Mangi, a current master's student at NTNU, moderated the session.

21st April 2024 | NTNU, Norway

Represented Pakistan in Pakistani Night celebrated at NTNU i Gjøvik with the support of ISU Gjøvik. The exchange students cooked some Pakistani food and presented about Pakistan. The event was attended by international students of NTNU Gjøvik.

6th Fabruary 2024 | NTNU, Norway

NORPART-CONNECT organised welcome lunch for new exchange students at NTNU i Gjøvik.

2nd Fabruary 2024 | NTNU, Norway

Six masters students from Sukkur IBA University have joined NTNU i Gjøvik for their research based exchange semester under NORPART CONNECT project. These students will spend their 4-months at NTNU working on various research based projects. The MACS students welcomed them along with project coordinator Ali Shariq Imran and gave them welcome greetings and campus tour. We wish them best wishes for their stay full of learning and fun.

18th January 2024 | NTNU, Norway

Ambassador of Pakistan in Norway Saadia Altaf Qazi and her team visited NTNU i Gjøvik today. The meeting included faculty members from NTNU, representatives from the International Office, and Pakistani students pursuing master's programs under the NORPART CONNECT project. Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota, virtually representing our NORPART partner Sukkur IBA University, also joined the discussion. The group addressed key aspects of educational collaboration between Norway and Pakistan, challenges encountered by Pakistani academicians and students, and explored avenues for improvement. Proud to foster these connections!

6th December 2023 | NTNU, Norway

Final workshop of this semester and farewell dinner for exchange students at NTNU. 

NORPART CONNECT recently hosted a final workshop and farewell dinner for our exchange students of Autumn 2023 batch. It was a day filled with insightful presentations showcasing their amazing journey at NTNU. The evening ended with a delightful dinner at EGON Gjovik, bidding a warm farewell to our international students. Here's to the memories made and the bridges built across cultures! 

Best wishes to all exchange students for their future endeavours.

14th November 2023 | SIBAU, Pakistan

Fully Funded Scholarship Awareness Session for Students at SIBAU for 2024 intake at NTNU. 

The Internationalization Office of Sukkur IBA University organized an Awareness Session on the NTNU Fully Funded Scholarships as part of the NORPART-CONNECT project. The session, held on Monday, November 13, 2023, was specifically tailored for alumni and students of the Computer Science Department. It aimed to familiarize participants with the scholarship's purpose, benefits, and the admission process.

Prof. Dr. Sher Muhammad Doudpota provided an overview of the NORPART-CONNECT project during the session. Additionally, Mr. Subhan Mangi, an alum, shared valuable insights into the admission process, emphasized the importance of IELTS scores, and shared his personal experiences with the participants..

21st -  22nd September 2023 | NTNU, Norway

NORPART CONNECT's Two-Day Workshop at NTNU in Gjovik

Day one brought together MACS students and exchange participants to showcase their ongoing research projects. Additionally, two faculty members unveiled their strategy for introducing the Masters in Applied Computer Science (MACS) program at Sukkur IBA University. The day concluded with a delightful dinner at Peppes Pizza Gjovik.

Day two commenced with insightful presentations by NTNU's Masters and Exchange students, shedding light on their research journeys. Second-year Masters students also unveiled their plans for their upcoming thesis.

17th -  24th September 2023 | NTNU, Norway

Faculty exchange at NTNU from Sukkur IBA University 

Two brilliant faculty members from the Department of Computer Science at Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan Mr. Ghulam Mujtaba Shaikh and Mr. Asif Khan, are embarking on a two-week faculty exchange journey at NTNU i Gjøvik, Norway, as part of the NORPART CONNECT program. They're diving into exciting research activities and forging connections with NTNU faculty to explore future collaborative research opportunities.  Additionally, they had the privilege of attending progress presentations by exchange and master's students in the NORPART CONNECT program, enriching their academic experience.

Guests were warmly welcomed by program coordinator Mr. Ali Shariq Imran and other fellow colleagues. 

26th August 2023 | NTNU, Norway

Our NORPART students alongside other Pakistani students hosted International Night : Pakistan for students at NTNU i Gjøvik in collaboration with International Students Union (ISU).

They cooked some Pakistani food for international guests to give them an idea about Pakistani cuisine. The event was followed by a presentation by our NORPART students about Pakistan's history, culture, cuisine and landscapes.

22nd August 2023 | NTNU, Norway

We took great pleasure in orchestrating a delightful welcome lunch, an event designed to warmly embrace and introduce the latest additions to our cherished NORPART family. It was a joyous occasion where both our esteemed exchange students and dedicated full-time masters came together, sharing not only a meal but also forging connections and camaraderie that are bound to enhance their journey with us. 

The atmosphere was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement as everyone mingled, exchanged stories, and embarked on this collective adventure of learning and growth.

8th August 2023 | NTNU, Norway

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of 7 research exchange students and 3 dedicated full-time Master's students for the Applied Computer Science (MACS) program. These bright minds, hailing from Sukkur IBA University's Department of Computer Science, have embarked on their academic journey at NTNU. Here's to a future of learning, growth, and international collaboration.

We wish them best for their academic journey at NTNU i Gjøvik

26th July 2023 | NTNU, Norway

Orientation for Batch 2023

NORPART-CONNECT organized a virtual orientation for the incoming exchange and full-time master's students. During the orientation session, students presented themselves and their research interests, with some also sharing research ideas for their time at NTNU i Gjøvik.

The orientation was attended by Ali Shariq Imran, Mohibullah, Muhammad Mudassir Yamin, and Sarang Shaikh from NTNU, who also presented their ongoing research projects and opportunities for students to collaborate on.

The orientation program concluded with remarks from Project Coordinator Dr. Ali Shariq Imran and focal person at Sukkur IBA University, Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota.

Can't wait to welcome you all here in August!

30th May 2023 | NTNU, Norway

Exciting moments at the Workshop! 

On 30th May, we witnessed remarkable research progress from our talented students at NTNU in Gjovik and Sukkur IBA University! Students from both institutions joined forces to present their groundbreaking work on diverse topics. Saif Hassan, Aisha Jokhio, Muhammad Azhar Irfan Ali, and Mr. Subhan, a master's student at NTNU shared progress on their respective research works. The event was followed by a delightful lunch at EGON restaurant in Gjovik, where participants enjoyed a moment of relaxation and networking.

1st - 13th May 2023 | SIBAU, Sukkur

We are delighted to share the wonderful news that two NTNU students, Aminur Reza Siam, and Masrur M. Utsash, recently participated in a two-week exchange program at Sukkur IBA University through the NORPART-CONNECT partnership. During their visit, they actively engaged in diverse cultural and research activities, immersing themselves in the local community and gaining valuable insights. They also had the opportunity to explore Pakistan's cultural and historical landmarks, making their experience even more enriching..

10 May 2023 | NTNU, Norway

A captivating and informative session on NORPART-CONNECT recently took place at NTNU i Gjøvik in collaboration with Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan. The event welcomed esteemed guests such as H.E Saadia Altaf Qazi, Ambassador of Pakistan in Norway, Vice Rector NTNU Gro Iren, Vice Chancellor Sukkur IBA University Dr. Asif Ahmed Shaikh, Project Coordinator Ali Shariq Imran , Prof. Dr. Sher Muhammad Doudpota, and more. The Sukkur IBA University faculty and students also joined the event virtually.

17-18th Mar 2023 | SIBAU, Sukkur

Mr. Subhan Ali Mangi, a student at NTNU pursuing his master's in Applied Computer Science under CONNECT, presented his first research paper entitled "Visualizing Research on Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Medical and Healthcare" as the first author at the 4th International Conference on Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (iCoMET) at Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan.

17-18th Mar 2023 | SIBAU, Sukkur

CONNECT is happy to be part of this year iCoMET 2023 conference organised by the Sukkur IBA University. NTNU participated in the iCoMET with two keynote speeches by Ali Shariq and Mohammad. Abomhara, and three accepted articles at the conference as a result of capacity building under CONNECT project.   

16 Mar 2023 | SIBAU, Sukkur

As part of the capacity building project under CONNECT, Paul Knutson from NTNU gave a guest lecture in a bachelor course on python programming at Sukkur IBA University. 

16 Mar 2023 | SIBAU, Sukkur

On 16th March, NTNU conducted a one-day workshop at Sukkur IBA University on Academia Industry collaboration which was attended by the students and faculty of SIBAU. The workshop started 9:00 to 16:30. Certificates of attendance were provided to the participants at the end of the workshop. 

14 Mar 2023 | HEC, Islamabad

One workshop was conducted at HEC under the banner "Opportunity for Research and Academic Collaboration between Pakistan and Scandinavian Universities" at Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The event was jointly organized by NTNU (CONNECT), Linnaeus University in Sweden and FAST Islamabad. 

13 Mar 2023 | LUMS, Lahore

T faculty members from NTNU visited Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore, Pakistan to discuss potential collaboration opportunities where they met faculty and dean of electrical engineering department including Dr. Zubair and Dr. Awais, visited the campus, labs and the incubation center. Ali Shariq presented the CONNECT project and the activities carried under it and discuss topics of mutual interests between the two institutes. 

10th - 20th March 2023 | Pakistan

Four faculty members from NTNU visited Pakistan under Academic-Cultural exchange visit organised by CONNECT. The delegation visited many universities in Lahore, Islamabad, and Sukkur, held workshops, gave lectures, and participated in the iCoMET 2023 conference. Apart from academic trip, the delegation visited cultural sites including Walled city of Lahore and Kort DG Fort. Following members were part of the delegation from NTNU. 

• Ali Shariq Imran
• Paul Knutson
• Abomhara Saleh
• Mudassar Yamin

23 February 2023 | NTNU, Norway

4 master's students from Sukkur IBA University have joined NTNU in Gjøvik for a semester exchange through NORPART-CONNECT. Saif, Irfan, Azhar, and Ayesha are supposed to spend their Spring semester at NTNU and participate in different academic, social, and research activities.  

Best wishes for a semester full of learning and fun!

10 February 2023 | K113 NTNU, Norway

CONNECT team in collaboration with International Office at NTNU in Gjøvik organised an awareness session for possible exchange opportunities at Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan for NTNU students. 

We had a guest speaker from Sukkur IBA University Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota who shared information about SIBAU and the facilities which NTNU students can avail during their exchange there. Project Coordinator Ali Shariq Imran shared various opportunities which can be availed through NORPART-CONNECT, while Nina and Ricardo from International Office shared the application procedure and showed their support for NORPART. Mr. Subhan Ali current student at NTNU shared his experience of being a student at Sukkur IBA University during his bachelor's.

10 December 2022 | SIBAU, Sukkur Pakistan

Sukkur IBA University's Department of Computer Science organised a one-day workshop on December 10, 2022 for its faculty and graduating students on cutting-edge 21st century technologies. The workshop facilitators traveled from NTNU Norway to Sukkur IBA University under our ongoing partnership NORPART-CONNECT.  

Two postdoc researchers Muhammad Mudassar Yamin and Mohib Ullah, and a PhD student Sarang Shaikh at NTNU conducted the workshop at SIBAU.

01 December 2022 | Gjøvik 

A meeting about NORPART-CONNECT progress happened on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 13:00-15:00 at NTNU Gjovik. Prof. Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota and Prof. Dr. Javed Shahani joined from Sukkur IBA University, Pakistan remotely. 

From NTNU, Dr. Ali Shariq Imran started the meeting by presenting the overall progress of CONNECT at NTNU,  and Mr. Subhan and Mr. Moosa from the first batch of NORPART-CONNECT presented their experience at NTNU so far. Dr. Sher and Dr. Javed from SIBAU also shared about Sukkur IBA University's progress and plans for CONNECT.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Mohibullah, Mr. Sarang Shaikh, Mr. Ahmed, and Mr. Affan from NTNU.

08 November 2022 | Gjøvik 

The first CONNECT batch from Pakistan, Subhan Ali and Muhammad Moosa represented Pakistan today at NTNU i Gjøvik . The International Day was organized by International Office. They prepared some cultural food and Pakistani Tea (Chai) for the Norwegians and other International students. 

They also informed people about Pakistan's education system, different cultures, cuisines, mountains, landscapes, etc.

12 October 2022 | Gjøvik 

The Internationalization Office of Sukkur IBA University has announced a fully-funded scholarship for a Master's degree program in Applied Computer Science under the NORPART-CONNECT project in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway (NTNU), for the Alumni of the Computer Science Department.

In this connection, the Internationalization Office has organized an awareness session on the NTNU fully funded scholarships under the NORPART-CONNECT project for the alumni and students of the Computer Science Department on Saturday, 8th October, 2022. The session introduced students to the purpose of the scholarship, its benefits, and the process of admission.

Dr. Sher Muhammad Doudpota and Dr. Javed Ahmed Shahani gave an overview of the NORPART-CONNECT project, and the alumni, Mr. Subhan Mangi and Mr. Moosa, provided guidance on the admission process and IELTS scores, and they shared their experiences with the participants. Further, Dr. Mujeeb U Rehman Bhayo congratulated Dr. Javed Ahmed Shahani and Dr. Sher Muhammad Doudpota for a successful collaboration with the NTNU and appreciated the alumni for devoting their invaluable time to the session.

19-22 September 2022 | Gjøvik - OsloMet

The NORPART seminar 21-22 September 2022 was hosted by OsloMet at their campus in the middle of Oslo. The seminar focused on the concepts of Partnerships and Collaboration in NORPART. There were 120 registered participants representing both the Norwegian institutions and many of the institutions in our partner countries, including administrative staff and institutional leadership.
The project team of NORPART-CONNECT comprising of the following members, participated in the seminar, 

• Ali Shariq Imran 
• Sher Muhammad Daudpota
• Javed Ahmed 
• Zahid Hussain Khan
• Syed Mir Muhammad Shah

More details and seminar presentations can be found here, https://diku.no/en/programmes/norpart-norwegian-partnership-programme-for-global-academic-cooperation

19 September 2022 | Gjøvik - 

The CONNECT kick-off meeting was held at S503 at NTNU in Gjøvik. The meeting was organised by NTNU and chaired by Dr. Ali. The ambassador of Pakistan to Norway, Mr. Babar Amin attended the event. The event started with a welcome speech by Vice-Rector Gro Iren Kvanli Dæhlin from NTNU. Respected delegation from SIBAU consisting of vice chancellor Prof Dr. Syed Mir Muhammad Shah, Professor of Computer Science and Registrar Prof Dr. Zahid Hussain Khand, Professor of Computer Science and Head of Department Prof Dr. Javed Ahmed Shahani, and Professor of Computer Science and Director Quality Enhancement Cell Prof Dr. Sher Muhammad Daudpota, joined the event physically.  

19th September 2022

The second meeting of project management board NORPART-CONNECT took place at NTNU Norway on September 19, 2022. The board members discussed about the project progress and decided about the future course of activities

19th September 2022

The second Quality Assurance Board meeting was held on September 19, 2022. The board members discussed about quality aspects of different activities related to the project work packages. The board expressed satisfaction on the progress made on different work packages. 

18th - 23rd September 2022

Following four faculty members from SIBAU visited NTNU to learn NTNU best practices in Applied Computer Science program, 

• Sher Muhammad Daudpota
• Javed Ahmed 
• Zahid Hussain Khan
• Syed Mir Muhammad Shah

During their stay at NTNU from September 18-23, they visited different facilitates of NTNU, signed NORPART-CONNECT agreement and participated in different capacity building activities.  

13th August 2022

Subhan Mangi and Muhammad Moosa, Computer Science graduates of Sukkur IBA University joined NTNU during the month of August 2022 for their Master’s Degree in Applied Computer Science from NTNU. Both the scholars are fully funded under NORPART-CONNECT.