Expressing deep gratitude over being conferred the Best University Teacher Award 2025–26, Associate Professor at the School of Chemical & Materials Engineering (SCME), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Dr. Muhammad Nouman Aslam Khan said that embedding active learning, artificial intelligence, and real-world industrial research into modern curricula is vital for preparing students to solve global energy and environmental challenges.
Dr. Nouman bags NUST Best Teacher Award; calls for embedding AI, active learning in engineering curricula
ISLAMABAD, Oct 04 (APP):Expressing deep gratitude over being conferred the Best University Teacher Award 2025–26, Associate Professor at the School of Chemical & Materials Engineering (SCME), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Dr. Muhammad Nouman Aslam Khan said that embedding active learning, artificial intelligence, and real-world industrial research into modern curricula is vital for preparing students to solve global energy and environmental challenges.
Talking to APP here on Sunday following the official announcement by NUST, Dr. Nouman emphasized that higher education must move beyond traditional lecture delivery to outcome-based education (OBE) and hands-on problem-solving.
Modern engineering education demands a shift toward active learning, where abstract mathematical and data science concepts directly intersect with tangible industrial applications, Dr. Nouman said and added “Our goal at NUST is to equip students with data-driven and computational tools so they can immediately contribute to sustainable technology and deep decarbonization.”
Elaborating on his academic methodology, Dr. Nouman highlighted his use of flipped classrooms, online feedback loops, and peer discussions. He said that under his framework, students prepare course material before lectures, reserving class time for interactive problem-solving, worksheet defenses, and computational simulations.
He noted that this approach helps identify gaps in understanding early and encourages students to defend their reasoning rather than rely on rote learning.
Explaining the strong bridge between his academic research and global needs, Dr. Nouman shared details of his international research collaborations saying that he is currently contributing to a European Commission project focused on pathways for a just energy transition and industrial decarbonization. Additionally, he worked on a Royal Society UK project utilizing machine learning models to optimize the chemical recycling of plastic waste and predict product yields.
His research portfolio spans critical sustainable domains, including biomass pyrolysis, biochar and hydrogen production, membrane-based carbon capture, and wastewater treatment, he explained.
Underscoring the importance of industry-academia linkages, Dr. Nouman pointed out his joint initiatives with leading national industrial partners, including Cherat Cement Company, Mobi Paints, Lucky Cement, and VS Environmental Solutions. He stressed that working on direct industrial problems, ranging from process optimization to plastic waste recycling, gives students invaluable exposure to current practical challenges.
Dr. Nouman highlighted that he has mentored numerous Master’s and PhD researchers, guiding theses on machine learning-integrated hydrogen production, catalytic methane decomposition, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of fluidized beds, and mixed-matrix membranes.
He said that his current supervision includes research on algae-derived activated carbon and machine learning combined with Density Functional Theory (DFT) modeling for heavy-metal removal from wastewater.
Dr. Nouman, who previously earned the NUST Top Performer Award in 2024, credited the university’s vibrant research ecosystem and his students’ dedication for his latest honor, reiterating his commitment to advancing cutting-edge research and educational innovation in Pakistan.
