Prof. Dr. Joel J. P. C. Rodrigues (The Instituto de Telecomunicações, Portugal)
Prof. Dr. Joel J. P. C. Rodrigues is a globally renowned researcher and one of the most influential figures in the fields of communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and smart digital technologies. He is a Professor at the Federal University of Piauí, Brazil, and an IEEE Fellow, recognized for his outstanding contributions to communications and networking. He is also listed as a Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science), reflecting his exceptional global research impact.
His work strongly aligns with the ICST 2026 theme, “Innovative Green Technologies for Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” particularly in advancing intelligent digital ecosystems, smart healthcare, and sustainable connectivity through IoT and next-generation communication technologies. His research emphasizes how data-driven systems and interconnected technologies can enable efficient, resilient, and sustainable solutions across multiple sectors.
According to Scopus (ID: 25930566300), Prof. Rodrigues has an extraordinary academic record with over 1,377 publications, 44,347 citations, and an h-index of 107, positioning him among the top-tier researchers globally in communication networks and emerging technologies. His work has significantly shaped advancements in mobile computing, IoT systems, smart healthcare technologies, and networked applications.
Prof. Rodrigues holds numerous prestigious leadership roles in the global research community. He is an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer and has served as Past Director for Conference Development and Board of Governors Member of the IEEE Communications Society. He has also chaired key technical committees, including those on Communications Software and eHealth. In addition, he serves on the editorial boards of several top-tier journals, including IEEE Systems Journal, IEEE IoT Journal, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, and multiple high-impact journals published by Elsevier and Wiley.
He is also Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of e-Health and Medical Communications and leads multiple international book series on smart technologies and multimedia systems. His interdisciplinary work bridges communication networks, artificial intelligence, and healthcare systems, contributing to innovative and scalable solutions for global challenges.
At ICST 2026, Prof. Rodrigues will provide high-level insights into how IoT, intelligent communication systems, and data-driven technologies can accelerate the achievement of SDGs, particularly in the development of smart cities, digital health ecosystems, and sustainable infrastructure. His expertise offers a powerful perspective on integrating advanced technologies to drive innovation and sustainability at a global scale.
Prof. Dr. Prabal Datta Barua (University of Southern Queensland, Australia)
Prof. Dr. Prabal Datta Barua is a globally recognized expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications for sustainable development, with a strong interdisciplinary research portfolio spanning health informatics, education analytics, and ICT-driven transformation. As a Professor at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, his work aligns closely with the ICST 2026 theme, “Innovative Green Technologies for Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” particularly in advancing data-driven and technology-enabled solutions for sustainability challenges.
According to Scopus (ID: 36993665100), Prof. Prabal has produced over 193 publications, with 5,560 citations and an h-index of 38, reflecting his significant global research impact. His scholarly contributions emphasize the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing system efficiency, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and enabling scalable innovations relevant to SDGs implementation.
An award-winning researcher and entrepreneur, Prof. Prabal serves as the CEO and Director of Cogninet Australia and has been the Academic Dean of the Australian International Institute of Higher Education since 2022. In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant (AUD $551,982) to develop an advanced AI system for speech emotion recognition, demonstrating his leadership in cutting-edge AI innovation.
Recognized among the top 1% of researchers globally (TopSciNet, 2025), he has secured over AUD $3 million in research funding and received the UniSQ Alumni Award for Excellence in Research (2023). His work bridges academia, industry, and societal impact, particularly through AI-driven solutions in healthcare and digital transformation.
At ICST 2026, Prof. Prabal brings critical insights into how AI and data-driven technologies can accelerate sustainable development, strengthen digital ecosystems, and support innovative pathways toward achieving the SDGs across sectors.
Prof. Dr. sc. Neven Duić (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
Prof. dr. sc. Neven Duić is a globally recognized leader in sustainable energy systems and a prominent figure in advancing the transition toward low-carbon and climate-resilient societies. He is a Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Croatia, where he has built a distinguished academic career since earning his PhD in 1998 and becoming a full professor in 2011. His academic journey began in Zagreb, where he studied mechanical engineering alongside Portuguese language studies, and further expanded through international research engagements, including multiple appointments as a visiting researcher at Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon.
Prof. Duić’s research strongly aligns with the ICST 2026 theme, “Innovative Green Technologies for Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” particularly in the areas of integrated energy systems, renewable energy technologies, energy transition, and the decarbonization of complex infrastructures. His work emphasizes system-level innovation, advanced modelling, and data-driven optimization to support sustainable energy planning and climate change mitigation.
According to Scopus (ID: 57207605988), he has an exceptional scientific record with over 419 publications, 17,575 citations, and an h-index of 72, reflecting his significant global influence in energy and sustainability research. Beyond this, he has authored more than 650 scientific publications across platforms and has delivered over 170 invited and keynote lectures worldwide. He has also been involved in more than 100 international research and professional projects, particularly in energy policy, sustainable development, and climate strategies.
Prof. Duić has been recognized among the top 2% most cited scientists globally (Stanford University–Scopus database, 2020–2021), further confirming his impact on the global scientific community. His work bridges science, policy, and implementation, contributing to international efforts toward climate neutrality and sustainable development.
At ICST 2026, Prof. Duić will provide high-level insights into how integrated energy systems and innovative green technologies can accelerate the achievement of SDGs, particularly through renewable energy integration, smart energy management, and sustainable infrastructure development. His expertise offers a critical foundation for advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world solutions in the global energy transition.
Dr. Abel Inobeme (Edo University Iyamho, Nigeria)
Dr. Abel Inobeme is a dynamic and emerging scholar in the field of environmental sustainability and green technology, with a strong focus on community-based approaches and sustainable development practices. As a lecturer and researcher at Edo University Iyamho, Nigeria, his work explores the intersection of environmental protection, resource management, and innovation-driven solutions to address both local and global sustainability challenges.
His research aligns closely with the ICST 2026 theme, “Innovative Green Technologies for Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” particularly in advancing inclusive and context-sensitive sustainability strategies in developing regions. He has contributed extensively to studies on environmental impact mitigation, sustainable resource utilization, and strengthening community resilience through environmentally responsible practices.
According to Scopus (ID: 57222128819), Dr. Inobeme has authored over 229 publications, with 1,342 citations and an h-index of 21, demonstrating a solid and growing impact in the field of environmental and sustainability research. His scholarly work highlights the importance of integrating appropriate technologies, policy frameworks, and community engagement to achieve meaningful and scalable SDGs outcomes.
At ICST 2026, Dr. Inobeme will present practical and inclusive approaches to advancing environmental sustainability, emphasizing community engagement, green innovation, and adaptive strategies that empower developing regions to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. His perspective brings valuable insights into bridging global sustainability agendas with local implementation realities.
Prof. Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, Ph.D. (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)
Prof. Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa is a globally recognized scholar and leading expert in construction management, sustainable infrastructure, and the built environment. He is a Professor at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, with extensive expertise in sustainable construction practices, infrastructure development, and the integration of innovative technologies to improve efficiency and environmental performance in the construction sector.
His work strongly aligns with the ICST 2026 theme, “Innovative Green Technologies for Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” particularly in advancing smart and sustainable cities, green construction, and infrastructure resilience. His research emphasizes the role of digitalization, policy frameworks, and capacity building in transforming the construction industry toward low-carbon and sustainable systems.
According to Scopus (ID: 54956705100), Prof. Aigbavboa has an outstanding academic record with over 1,058 publications, 8,738 citations, and an h-index of 41, reflecting his significant global research impact in the built environment and sustainability domains. He has authored and co-authored more than 1,600 scholarly works, including journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, and has published 39 research books with leading international publishers such as Springer Nature and CRC Press.
Prof. Aigbavboa holds a PhD in Engineering Management from the University of Johannesburg and has further strengthened his global leadership capacity through executive training in Artificial Intelligence at the MIT Sloan School of Management. His interdisciplinary expertise spans construction digitalization, sustainable housing, green job creation, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and infrastructure development in emerging economies.
He has supervised over 180 master’s students and more than 90 PhD graduates, contributing significantly to global academic capacity building. He also serves as a visiting professor and international scholar at multiple institutions across the United Kingdom, China, and Nigeria, reflecting his strong international academic engagement.
At ICST 2026, Prof. Aigbavboa will present forward-looking insights on smart and sustainable cities through innovative infrastructure development, highlighting the critical role of green construction technologies, digital transformation, and policy integration in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. His perspective bridges research, industry, and policy to support the development of resilient and sustainable built environments worldwide.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Imran (University of Glasgow, United Kingdom)
Prof. Muhammad Ali Imran is a globally recognized leader in communication systems and digital innovation, with a distinguished career in advancing next-generation wireless technologies for sustainable development. He is a Professor of Communication Systems at the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, where he also serves as Dean of Graduate Studies and Transnational Engineering Education at the James Watt School of Engineering and leads the Communications, Sensing and Imaging (CSI) research hub.
His research strongly aligns with the ICST 2026 theme, “Innovative Green Technologies for Accelerating the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” particularly in enabling smart and sustainable cities through intelligent connectivity, energy-efficient networks, and data-driven systems. His work focuses on 5G and beyond (including 6G), with applications in digital health, smart infrastructure, and sustainable connectivity solutions.
According to Scopus (ID: 58153251900), Prof. Imran has an exceptional academic profile with over 1,416 publications, 25,885 citations, and an h-index of 74, placing him among the most influential researchers globally in communication systems and digital technologies. His contributions have significantly shaped research in wireless communications, energy-efficient networks, and digital transformation.
He has played a key role in major UK-funded research initiatives such as CHEDDAR and JOINER, with combined funding exceeding £40 million, aimed at developing future communication systems. His interdisciplinary work also includes innovations in digital health, such as radar-based systems for non-contact heart monitoring, and research on rural connectivity and frugal networking to improve digital inclusion.
At ICST 2026, Prof. Imran will deliver critical insights into how advanced digital infrastructure and intelligent connectivity can accelerate the achievement of SDGs, particularly through smart city ecosystems, sustainable digital transformation, and innovative green technology solutions. His expertise bridges cutting-edge research, policy, and real-world implementation, making him a key contributor to shaping the future of sustainable and connected societies.
