Dr. Akbar Siami-Namin, a professor within the Department of Computer Science has been honored with the 2025 U.S. Scholar Award.

Akbar Siami-Namin, a professor of the Department of Computer Science in the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering has been honored with the Fullbright U.S. Scholar Award for Spring of 2025. The Fulbright Scholar Award is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized international exchange programs of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program. 

He shared insights into this esteemed accolade and its implications for academic exchange and research advancement. "I am honored to receive the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for Spring 2025, where I will be joining the Department of Computer Science and Security at St. Polten University of Applied Sciences in Austria as a visiting professor," Namin announced. "The Fulbright Austria and St. Polten University generously provided the grant for my visit, with tremendous financial and logistical support from Texas Tech University."

Reflecting on the impact of the award on the Department of Computer Science, Namin emphasized its potential to elevate the department's global and national-level ranking. "The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award will enhance the strength and quality of AI and cybersecurity research conducted within the department," he stated. "It provides professional development opportunities for scholars to learn modern teaching styles aligned with the cultural and social characteristics of the host country."

Regarding the implications for the Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech, Namin highlighted the award's contribution to enhancing the college's reputation and attracting top-quality students and faculty. "The Fulbright Scholar Award positions the College of Engineering as a hub for scholarly excellence and international recognition," he noted. "It promotes cultural diversity, enriches the academic environment, and provides students with the opportunity to experience a diverse educational setting."

When asked about the impact on teaching tactics, he underscored the Fulbright program's emphasis on excellence in teaching. "The program provides lecturing opportunities for Fulbright awardees to experience cultural diversity in classrooms," he explained. "This enables scholars to adopt effective teaching methodologies, which can be incorporated into educational models at Texas Tech University."

Namin expressed his commitment to sharing his experiences and advancing research and education. "The Fulbright Award creates lifetime opportunities to shape the next chapters of my professional career," he said. "My immediate step will be to disseminate research and educational insights through presentations and publications."

Regarding Texas Tech University's motto, "From Here It's Possible," Professor Siami-Namin highlighted its profound significance. "The motto conveys that from our campus, anything is possible, with integrity, determination, dedication, and excellent support," he remarked. "It reinforces the message that not only the sky, but also the stars, are within reach."

Namin offered words of encouragement to future students interested in Texas Tech University. "The university's national and international recognitions are a testament to its excellent leadership, renowned faculty, and outstanding teaching environment," he said. "At Texas Tech, students have the opportunity to learn about state-of-the-art technologies and position themselves as future leaders and decision-makers."

For more information about this award can be found here.