KAUST Expert Discusses Environment-Aware Networks

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) hosted a public lecture on the future of wireless connectivity by Dr. Mohamed-Slim Alouini, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), on June 6.

Titled “Envisioning 6G: Toward Sustainable Wireless Network Solutions”, the starting point for Dr. Alouini’s talk was the role of Internet and Communication Technology (ICT) in transforming almost all aspects of human life including the global economy, education, and health. 

Against this background, the fifth generation (5G) of wireless communication systems (WCSs) is now in the early stages of deployment. The progress made has prompted early research visioning and planning for 6G. While 6G is expected to provide new and advanced communication services to meet the future hyper-connectivity demands of the coming decades, it may also create opportunities to advance sustainability and the energy efficiency of wireless networks. 

Dr. Alouini shared aspects of his current research at KAUST, where he is the Principal Investigator of the Communication Theory Lab (CTL). He is actively working on addressing the uneven global distribution, access to, and use of ICT.

In his talk, he reflected on recently proposed green technologies to offer high-speed connectivity in under-covered areas. Motivated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he noted that 6G networks are anticipated to democratize the benefits of ICT. They have the potential to advance global connectivity in a sustainable way to contribute to a more digitally inclusive and green world. 

Dr. Mounir Hamdi, Founding Dean, CSE, said: “We thank Dr. Mohamed-Slim Alouini for sharing his expertise with our academic community, especially with his focus on advances in green technologies and related areas of research and development that can support the achievement of the SDGs. The event provided excellent exposure for our graduate students and researchers. It was also in keeping with CSE’s aim to lead in research and education that concentrates on contemporary issues in computer science, including the socio-economic aspects of sustainability which are globally important and of relevance to Qatar.”