PhD in Electromagnetic Fields and Microwave Technology, Founder and CEO at Aviotech Drones

Electronic engineer and technology expert specializing in the development of high-performance electronic and embedded systems, and the application of AI in advanced electronic systems

Mazen is a senior technical leader specialising in system integration, Agile and client‑centred delivery, and product ownership. He currently serves as an Integration Project Chief at Capgemini Engineering, where he oversees cross‑functional integration activities in the automotive and production line sectors. Before moving into industry leadership roles, he was a Junior Assistant Professor at the University of Bologna and previously taught at the Arab International University. Mazen holds a Ph.D. in Electronics, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Engineering from the University of Bologna and an M.Sc. with Distinction in Communication Systems and Signal Processing from the University of Bristol. His background bridges academia and industry, combining deep technical expertise with practical delivery and problem‑solving experience.

Dr. Arch. Alaa J. Kadi is an architect, researcher, and innovation leader specializing in digital transformation, artificial intelligence applications, smart cities, and entrepreneurship. He has contributed to numerous academic, professional, and community initiatives that bridge architecture, technology, and sustainable development. Dr. Kadi is actively involved in promoting AI adoption, innovation ecosystems, startup incubation, and capacity-building programs across the region. His work focuses on leveraging emerging technologies to support urban development, education, research, and institutional transformation.

Dr. Noura Hakmi Hama, Syria Qualifications - Ph.D. in Education, University of Homs, with Honors, 2018. - M.A. in Education, Faculty of Education, 2016. - M.Sc. in Mathematics, Faculty of Science, 2013. - Educational Qualification Diploma, 2008. Academic and Professional Positions - Assistant Professor at the University. - Former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Hama University. - Former Editor-in-Chief of the Hama University Journal. - Head of the Human Resources and Administrative Development Department at the Quality Assurance Center, Hama University. - Lecturer at both Hama University and the University of Homs. - Scientific Reviewer for several local and international academic journals. Professional Activities - Participant in numerous academic conferences and educational workshops. - Academic Consultant at Al-Bayan Model Schools. - Trainer for various educational and professional institutions. Research and Publications - Author of 13 scientific research papers published in local, Arab, and international journals.

Dr. Mazen Salous is a Senior AI Researcher and Founder of MozaicAI, with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Adaptive Systems. His work spans Human-Centered AI, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Large Language Models, and Explainable AI, with a strong focus on real-world applications. He currently leads and contributes to international research and innovation projects in accessibility, digital participation, and intelligent decision support, while bridging academic research and industrial AI solutions through MozaicAI.

Dr. Nidal Zarifeh is a Germany-based technology researcher, digital education expert, and corporate trainer. He earned his PhD (Summa cum laude) from the University of Duisburg-Essen, an MSc in Advanced Telecommunication Engineering from IMT Atlantique and Damascus University (graduating first in his class), and a BSc from Damascus University. With extensive practical experience in mobile networks, his expertise spans 5G/6G, signal processing, AI, Digital Twins, and digital security. Committed to knowledge transfer to Syria, he serves on the boards of the German Syrian Scientific Research Foundation, the Syrian Assembly in Germany, and the Niuversity Educational Foundation. He is also a board member of the Syrian German Council, where he is responsible for education, training, and technology.

Workshop Title: Building Custom AI Assistants for Higher Education: From Concept to Practice

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"In this two-hour interactive session, participants will work through the full design process of a custom AI assistant, addressing the core components of development: defining a precise use case, formulating an effective system prompt, curating a relevant knowledge base, and selecting an appropriate language model. Using realistic scenarios such as teaching support, administrative guidance, research assistance, and student orientation, participants will follow an iterative process of design, testing, evaluation, and refinement. This workshop introduces a practice-oriented framework for developing custom AI assistants in higher education, based on the Bot-Camp methodology established at RWTH Aachen University in collaboration with the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (HFD) and KI-Campus. The model is designed to enable university staff, including participants without technical backgrounds, to conceptualize, develop, and refine purpose-specific AI assistants for academic and administrative contexts. A flagship outcome of the workshop will be the development and deployment of a dedicated AI assistant for SAFIERR TECH 2026, the Conference Bot. Inspired by a successful precedent in Germany, this assistant will consolidate the intellectual output of the four-day conference, including presentations, discussions, and workshop results, into an interactive and searchable knowledge base. Its responses will be grounded exclusively in verified conference materials, ensuring reliability, transparency, and long-term accessibility for researchers, academics, and policymakers. Beyond the conference, the initiative envisions a scalable and replicable model for Syrian higher education. Through follow-up workshops at Syrian universities, the project seeks to foster institutional capacity for the independent creation and maintenance of AI assistants, while promoting data sovereignty and advancing Arabic-language AI applications in academic environments, thereby laying a sustainable foundation for the digital transformation of higher education in Syria."

Workshop Title: Using AI in Learning: Hands-on Tools and Vibe Coding for Education

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This hands-on workshop focuses on the practical use of artificial intelligence in learning, aligning with the growing need to integrate AI tools into educational environments. The session introduces participants to the most effective and widely used AI tools for learning, including tools for content creation, assessment design, and student support. The workshop emphasizes learning by doing. Participants will engage in guided activities to practice prompt engineering, enabling them to generate accurate, relevant, and structured outputs for educational purposes. They will learn how to design prompts for lessons, quizzes, summaries, and interactive learning tasks. A central component of the workshop is the application of “vibe coding” in education. Participants will use AI to create simple learning solutions, generate code-assisted activities, and prototype educational content without requiring advanced programming skills. This approach allows both educators and students to transform ideas into practical outputs. Real academic examples will be used throughout the session to demonstrate how AI can enhance understanding, improve engagement, and support different learning styles. The workshop also addresses critical aspects such as evaluating AI outputs, avoiding common mistakes, and ensuring responsible use. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to effectively use AI tools, apply prompt engineering techniques, and leverage vibe coding to support learning in a practical and structured way. The workshop begins with an overview of the most relevant AI tools used in education today, including tools for content generation, lesson planning, assessment design, and personalized learning. Participants will then engage in practical exercises on prompt engineering, learning how to design clear and effective prompts to generate accurate and useful outputs. A key component of the session focuses on applying “vibe coding” in educational contexts. Participants will practice creating lesson materials, quizzes, and simple applications using AI, without requiring advanced programming skills. This approach enables rapid prototyping and enhances both teaching efficiency and student engagement. The workshop emphasizes real-world applications, interactive activities, and immediate usability. It also addresses important considerations such as evaluating AI-generated content, minimizing errors, and using AI responsibly in academic environments. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to effectively use AI tools, apply prompt engineering techniques, and integrate vibe coding into their teaching and learning practices."

Workshop Title: DoRemoXy: An Open Platform for Hardware Sharing Toward Remote Laboratories

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The increasing demand for hands-on engineering education — combined with the geographic and financial constraints facing many academic institutions, particularly in the developing world — has created a growing gap between theoretical instruction and practical training. Remote laboratories have long been proposed as a solution, yet their deployment remains complex, costly, and technically demanding for most universities. This workshop introduces DoRemoXy (doremoxy.com), an open platform designed to bridge this gap by enabling the remote sharing of physical hardware — including microcontrollers, microprocessors, and FPGAs — without requiring static public IP addresses, dedicated infrastructure, or an operating system on the target device. The platform manages users, agents, and connected boards with built-in security, making hardware access as straightforward as using a messaging application. Beyond its technical simplicity, DoRemoXy supports a two-directional service model: institutions and individuals can either offer their hardware to remote users or seek expertise on shared devices — opening new possibilities for collaboration, cost-sharing, and extended use of existing development boards. The workshop will combine a conceptual introduction to the platform architecture with a live, practical demonstration, allowing participants to connect to and interact with a real shared device in real time. Attendees will leave with a concrete understanding of how DoRemoXy can be adopted as a ready-to-use solution within any faculty — not only in engineering, but across disciplines where physical experimentation plays a role. The session will also discuss pathways from hardware sharing toward fully integrated remote laboratory ecosystems. Contributors: - Dr. Ghadi Mahmoudi, Docent at Department of Communication and Electronics, Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Latakia University, Syria. - Dr. Fadi Motawej, Assistant Professor at Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Latakia University, Syria. Keywords: remote hardware access, open platform, HW-as-a-Service, remote laboratories, engineering education, embedded systems

Workshop Title: Digital Platform for Education Management