Pakistani academic Dr Usman Mehmood has gained international recognition after earning top distinctions at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), one of Asia’s leading research institutions. His achievements have highlighted Pakistan’s growing talent in geospatial sciences and brought pride to the country’s academic community.
Dr Usman, from Islamabad, received the prestigious Pro-Chancellor Award at UTM’s 69th Convocation, a rare honor given only to exceptional PhD graduates. He was the only international student invited to the stage during the ceremony, which was attended by scholars from more than 90 countries. His recognition also included the Dean’s Award and the Best Student Award, underscoring his outstanding performance in research and academics.
His doctoral research in Geoinformatics impressed examiners with its originality and high impact. Dr Usman’s work led to six international journal publications, influential conference papers, and innovations in 3D spatial analytics and smart building maintenance. His contributions support urban planning and the management of complex high-rise environments, areas of increasing importance for both Malaysia and Pakistan.
Dr Usman’s academic journey began in Pakistan, where he completed a Master’s in Earth Sciences from Quaid-i-Azam University and an MS in Remote Sensing and GIS from COMSATS University Islamabad. These studies laid the foundation for his advanced research in Malaysia, where he collaborated with Assoc. Prof. Dr Muhamad Uznir Ujang, a leading geospatial expert. Their partnership produced research described as rigorous, timely, and impactful by examiners.
In addition to university honors, Dr Usman also received the ESRI Award, which recognizes promising geospatial scholars whose work has practical global applications. His accomplishments not only reflect personal excellence but also highlight Pakistan’s potential in frontier technologies such as GIS, geospatial intelligence, and 3D urban analytics.
With new research projects already underway, Dr Usman is committed to advancing geospatial sciences on the international stage, representing Pakistan’s academic talent and contributing to innovations that shape the future of cities worldwide.
