PRESS RELEASE 13 September, 2022 : Issued by MTU
Highly Cited MTU Lecturer Wins SFI CONNECT Centre’s Education and Public
Engagement Award
Dr. Mubashir Husain Rehmani, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at Munster
Technological University, has been announced as winner of the Science Foundation Ireland’s
CONNECT Centre’s Education and Public Engagement (EPE) Award 2022 for his research outreach work
and being a spokesperson for achieving a work-life balance for a career in research.
The goal of Education and Public Engagement (EPE) in science is to bridge the gap between what
scientists do and how the general public views it. In recent years, public engagement has become an
important component of the role of a scientist. Engaging, listening to, and communicating with the
general population (from science communication in science centres, festivals, schools and workshops,
to consultation and public dialogue) can broaden research perspectives, thus enhancing the quality of
research and its impact. In addition, taking time to explain scientific research to the general public can
result in greater relevance, accountability and transparency, which is particularly important when
research is conducted with public funds.
The CONNECT Award is the latest in a long line of prestigious honours for Dr. Rehmani, whose highly
successful academic career to date includes being named among the best researchers in the world in
both 2020 and 2021 when he was selected for inclusion on the annual Highly Cited Researchers™ list
from Clarivate for both years. The greatly-anticipated Clarivate annual list identifies international
researchers who demonstrated significant influence in their chosen fields through the publication of
multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Their names are drawn from the publications that
rank in the top 1% by citations for field and publication year in the Web of Science™ citation index.
Dr. Rehmani’s work focuses on wireless networks, blockchain, cognitive radio networks, smart grid,
and software defined networks. He has written over 132 peer-reviewed articles, of which eleven
feature among highly cited articles by Clarivate, and he has authored and edited eight academic books.
His research work has been recognised internationally and he is the recipient of several best paper
awards, as well as serving in an editorial role for a number of prestigious international journals.
Dr. Rehmani said:
“I am delighted to receive this award from SFI CONNECT. This is indeed an official recognition for my
devotion to science communication and public engagement. This award endorses my thinking, what I
always ask myself and teach to others: what is the benefit of our research for the society, humankind,
and the general public?”
Professor Dan Kilper, Director of the CONNECT Centre, said:
“Dr. Rehmani is a world class researcher performing at the highest levels in science and engineering.
What’s most impressive is that he does this while communicating his research for a wide audience and
very effectively engaging with the public above and beyond what most of us do. He is an example to
others in the field and well deserving of this recognition.”
Staff and students at MTU are immensely proud of Dr. Rehmani’s achievements. Michael Loftus, Vice
President for External Affairs at MTU, said:
“Congratulations to Dr. Rehmani on winning this prestigious CONNECT Award. At MTU, we place great
emphasis on succeeding together, and we encourage our students and staff to engage with MTU’s
various communities and external stakeholders at all levels. Dr. Rehmani’s ongoing achievements in
Education and Public Engagement are a great contribution to ensuring that the public at large has the
opportunity to gain insights into the value of science and its relevance to all of our lives and our
collective future.”
Dr. Seán McSweeney, Head of the Department of Computer Science at MTU, said:
“Congratulations to Dr. Rehmani on his well-deserved success. Dr. Rehmani’s excellence in teaching,
research and engagement while remaining humble and open represents the very best of what an
academic staff member can be at MTU. His engagement activities continue to enrich and grow both
academic and public knowledge of the valuable scientific advancements occurring both in MTU and
the state and their impact on our shared future.”
Photographer: Barry O’Sullivan
Photo Caption: Dr. Mubashir Husain Rehmani, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at
Munster Technological University, has been announced as winner of the Science Foundation Ireland’s
CONNECT Centre’s Education and Public Engagement (EPE) Award 2022 for his research outreach
work and being a spokesperson for achieving a work-life balance for a career in research.
