Dr. Rizwan Akbar

Brief Bio

Dr. Rizwan Akbar is an accomplished electrical engineer and academician currently serving as Head of Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern Punjab (USP), Multan. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Université de Bretagne Occidentale, France, specializing in ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radio systems and digital communications.

With over a decade of teaching and research experience spanning institutions in Pakistan and France, Dr. Akbar has contributed peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognized journals including IEEE Communications Letters and EURASIP, as well as presentations at premier conferences such as IEEE PIMRC, EUSIPCO, and ICNC. His research interests encompass wireless communications, UWB signal processing, cognitive radio, and spectrum sensing.

At the USP, Dr. Akbar leads departmental initiatives in OBE-compliant curriculum development, PEC and NTC re-accreditation, and the supervision of graduate and undergraduate research. He is committed to advancing engineering education quality and research culture at the University of Southern Punjab.

Education
PhD in Electrical Engineering	Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France	2013
MS Research in Electronics, Telecommunications and Networks	Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France	2009
B.Sc. Electrical Engineering	University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila	2007

Professional Experience
HOD / Associate Professor	University of Southern Punjab, Multan	2023 – Present
Assistant HOD / Assistant Professor	University of Southern Punjab, Multan	2022 – 2023
Visiting Faculty	Computer Science Department, Green International University, Lahore	2021 – 2022
Assistant Professor	University of Central Punjab, Lahore	2014 – 2019
Assistant Professor	Electrical Engineering Department, Bahria University, Islamabad	2013 – 2014
Research Assistant, Lab-STICC UMR 6285	Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France	2009 – 2013
Assistant Manager	Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL)	Feb 2008 – May 2008

Professional associations

Registered Member, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) – ELECT/23449

Research Interests

Current Projects

Design and Analysis of High Gain DC-DC converter for EV applications
Design of a solar powered e-bike charging station

Research Impact:

Journal Publications: 4 (IEEE Communications Letters, EURASIP, JCM, MTA Review)
Conference Publications: 4 (IEEE PIMRC, EUSIPCO, ICNC, MajecSTIC)
h-index: 5

Title	Year	Published Link
Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2012). A non-data-aided rapid synchronization method for UWB impulse radio. IEEE Communications Letters, 16(8), 1308–1311. (IF 2024: 4.4)	2012	Click to View
Akbar, R., Radoi, E., Azou, S., & Najam-ul-Islam, M. (2013). Low-complexity synchronization algorithms for orthogonally modulated IR-UWB systems. EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking, 2013, Article 199. (IF 2024: 1.9)	2013	Click to View
Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2012). Comparative analysis of some low-complexity blind synchronization algorithms for IR-UWB systems. Journal of Communications, 7(5), 374–381.	2012	Click to View
Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2011). Energy detection based blind synchronization for pulse shape modulated IR-UWB systems. In Proceedings of the IEEE 22nd International Symposium on Personal Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC 2011) (pp. 864–868). IEEE.	2011	Click to View
Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2010). Maximum likelihood and orthogonal subspace-based approach for improved IR-UWB channel estimation. In Proceedings of the 18th European Signal Processing Conference (EUSIPCO 2010) (pp. 1145–1149). IEEE.	2010	Click to View

Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2012). A non-data-aided rapid synchronization method for UWB impulse radio. IEEE Communications Letters, 16(8), 1308–1311.

Akbar, R., Radoi, E., Azou, S., & Najam-ul-Islam, M. (2013). Low-complexity synchronization algorithms for orthogonally modulated IR-UWB systems. EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking, 2013, Article 199.

Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2012). Comparative analysis of some low-complexity blind synchronization algorithms for IR-UWB systems. Journal of Communications, 7(5), 374–381.

Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2009). Performance evaluation of impulse based UWB system in AWGN and indoor multipath channel. Military Technical Academy Review, XIX(4), 419–438.

Akbar, R., & Radoi, E. (2012). An overview of synchronization algorithms for IR-UWB systems. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Computing, Networking and Communications (ICNC 2012) (pp. 573–577). IEEE.

Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2011). Energy detection based blind synchronization for pulse shape modulated IR-UWB systems. In Proceedings of the IEEE 22nd International Symposium on Personal Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC 2011) (pp. 864–868). IEEE.

Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2010). Maximum likelihood and orthogonal subspace-based approach for improved IR-UWB channel estimation. In Proceedings of the 18th European Signal Processing Conference (EUSIPCO 2010) (pp. 1145–1149). IEEE.

Akbar, R., Radoi, E., & Azou, S. (2010). Conception d’une forme d’onde IR-UWB optimisee et analyse de ses performances dans le canal IEEE 802.15.3a. In Proceedings of MajecSTIC 2010 (pp. 1–8).

Teaching & Supervision

Courses:

Communication Systems
Signals and Systems
Digital Logic Design
Data Structures and Algorithms
Fundamentals of Programming
Probability for Engineers
Power Electronics and Converters
Renewable Energy Systems
Advanced Wireless Communication

Supervision:

MS/BS students at USP (ongoing), UCP Lahore, and Bahria University Islamabad

Teaching Philosophy

I focus on building strong theoretical foundations anchored in real-world applications; equipping students with the analytical rigour, curiosity, and professional competence to thrive in a rapidly evolving engineering landscape.

Trainings & Professional Development

Various Trainings on Outcome Based Education (OBE), EE Department, ISP Multan and UCP Lahore
NTC One-Day Training for Program Evaluators (PEVs), ISP Multan, June 16, 2023
National ICT R&D Workshop on “Communication Science & Systems”, LUMS, August 15–19, 2016
National ICT R&D Workshop on “Communication Science & Systems” (Part II), LUMS, December 25–29, 2016
Faculty Training Workshops on “Emerging Research Trends”, UCP Lahore, September 26–29, 2016

Awards & Recognition

USP Annual Awards (2025)
MS leading to PhD Scholarship, Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, for MS leading to PhD studies in France (2008)
Presidential Scholarship in Matriculation, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Gujranwala (2001)

Collaboration

Open to national and international collaborations in wireless communications, UWB technologies, cognitive radio, and engineering education research.