The 2nd International Conference on Business, Communication, and Technology (ICBCT2025)

Prof. Taki Al Abduwani

Deputy Chair of Board of Directors, Gulf College

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Business, Communication, and Technology

Topic: “AI and the Future of Business: The Role of People, Finance, and Soft Skills in a Changing World”

Prof. Dr Taqi Al Abdwani is a distinguished academic, researcher, and industry expert with extensive contributions to human resources, business, finance, and soft skills development. He holds a PhD from the University of Reading, UK, and a Master’s degree from the University of Lincoln, UK. He is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with the Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Australia.

With decades of experience in academia and professional training, Prof. Al Abdwani has played a key role in curriculum development, postgraduate supervision, and workshop facilitation. His expertise spans AI-driven business strategies, leadership development, financial resilience, and the integration of soft skills in professional settings.

In addition to his academic contributions, Prof. Al Abduwani serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business, Communication and Technology and is a board member of several prestigious international journals. He has delivered keynote speeches at international conferences, addressing topics such as future skills, HR development, and AI’s impact on business and finance.

He is also the author of “Soft Skills in the Academia: Qualities Required for Faculty Members”, a book that explores the essential attributes educators need to excel in teaching, research, and professional engagement. The book is currently available in English, Arabic, and Persian, with a Chinese (Mandarin) translation forthcoming.

As a former Dean of Gulf College, Oman, and a Board Member of the Gulf College Board of Trustees, he has significantly contributed to higher education policy, quality assurance, and strategic planning. His research and publications focus on the evolving role of AI, business innovation, and the critical importance of soft skills in a rapidly changing world.

Prof. Al Abdwani continues to lead discussions on the intersection of AI, leadership, and business sustainability, helping organisations and professionals adapt to the digital economy while maintaining ethical leadership and a human-centred approach.

Prof. Reza Pishghadam

Professor of Language Education, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Society, Culture, and Language

Topic: Magnitude Thinking: A New Lens for Strategic Decision-Making

Reza Pishghadam is a distinguished scholar recognized as a highly cited researcher by ISC. He is a professor of language education and formerly held a courtesy professorship in educational psychology at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM). In 2019, he established the Cognition & Sensory Emotion Lab at FUM, contributing significantly to interdisciplinary research. Over the past decade, he has authored more than 150 articles and books and has presented at over 30 national and international conferences. His accolades include membership in Iran’s National Foundation of Elites (since 2007), the Distinguished Researcher in Humanities award (2010), and the Distinguished Professor award from the Ferdowsi Academic Foundation (2014). In 2017, he was honored as the Best Professor of the Year at FUM, and in 2019, he received the FUM Award for Teaching Excellence. He has also held key academic leadership roles, serving as the Vice Dean for Research and Technology (2014–2017), Vice Dean for Academic Affairs (2017–2018), and Vice President for Academic Affairs (2018–2022) at FUM. Addditionally, he has served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Society, Culture, and Language (IJSCL), Journal of Language and Translation Studies (JLTS), and Journal of Cognition, Emotion, and Education (CEE Journal).

Dr. Amjed Al.Thuhli

CEO, FutureTech

Topic: AI Driving the Future of Space

Dr. Amjed Al-Thuhli is a technical expert with extensive experience spanning 23 years in information technology and space industries. He currently serves as the CEO of the “Future of Technology and Development” Company and is a member of the Digital Economy and AI Committee at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Oman. Additionally, he holds a position on the Board of Trustees of Oman College. Previously, Dr. Al-Thuhli worked as a consultant at the National Space and Artificial Intelligence Center, where he led projects related to the national space program, including the development of the national space strategy. He has been involved in various international committees, such as the World Future Council at the World Economic Forum, and has served as a member of the National Committee for E commerce and the Joint Working Group for Electronic Services and E-commerce at the Gulf Cooperation Council. Dr. Al-Thuhli earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science, focusing his research on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and space sciences. His contributions include peer reviewed scientific papers published in international journals and presented at conferences.

Prof. Dr. Raja Maznah Raja Hussain

Professor, Instructional Design and Technology, Sultan Qaboos University

Topic: “Bridging Educational Technology and Business Communication: Shaping the Future of Learning and Collaboration”

Dr. Raja Maznah Raja Hussain is a professor in the field of Instructional Design and Technology in Sultan Qaboos University. She has a mission to improve learning in higher education through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). She believes that an excellent academic is a leader who is creative and innovative, always searching for ways to improve her practice with the purpose to help students learn.

Dr. Younis Al-Anqoudi

Head, Information and Communication Technology, Transom Handling

Topic: “The Role of Advanced Technologies in Business Development and Sustainability”

Dr. Younis Al-Anqoudi is a seasoned IT leader and IT architect renowned for his extensive hands-on experience in driving digital transformation initiatives. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Sultan Qaboos University with a focus on Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning. With a wealth of knowledge in managing and leading IT operations and services, Dr. Younis brings a unique blend of expertise to the table. His exceptional communication and negotiation skills underscore his adeptness in dealing with diverse clients and vendors. Organized, thoughtful, and innovative, Dr. Younis is recognized for his creative approach to problem-solving and his ability to envision and implement strategic solutions. His keen interest lies in exploring and implementing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things. He is particularly passionate about integrating these technologies seamlessly into comprehensive enterprise architectures, aiming to optimize operational efficiency and drive business growth. Overall, Dr. Younis Al-Anqoudi’s dedication to innovation, coupled with his extensive experience and strategic mindset, positions him as a valuable asset in the realm of IT leadership and architecture.

Prof. Aarati Mujumdar

Head, General Foundation Program

Modern College of Business and Science, Muscat, Oman

Topic: “Adapting and Adopting Transformative Education: English Classrooms, sites for developing sustainable life skills”.

Dr. Aarati holds a Ph.D. and an M. Phil. degree in English Language Teaching from M.S. University of Baroda, India. Both dissertations are psycholinguistic, exploring the cognitive processes of writing compositions in the second language. A total teaching experience spanning more than 37 years, she has taught English at the Doctoral, master’s and the undergraduate levels.

At MCBS since 2014, she has been teaching Academic Writing, Literature and research-based courses. She is a recognized evaluator to adjudicate doctoral dissertations for foreign universities, and a recognized supervisor who has guided students towards their Ph. D degrees. She is a member of the Faculty Board of Faculty of Humanities, Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT) in Gujarat, India. She is also presented with the honorary degree of Professor by Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

She researches extensively and has presented her research on numerous international platforms. Her research papers are published in reputed globally indexed and Scopus journals. Her research interests include developing Critical Thinking through writing, developing Teaching Methodologies, and psycholinguistics. She has been a keynote speaker in many ELT Conferences in India and has presented many webinars online on numerous multidisciplinary topics.

Her book, ‘Teaching English as Second Language: Theory, Techniques and Technology’ is shortly being published by Routledge (Scopus). She has also co-authored books on Business Communication and English for Academic Purposes. Her other areas of interest include gardening, travelling, listening to music, and playing games like cricket, tennis, and table tennis.