About
Mahmoud Shafik is a senior lead academic and worldwide recognised scholar in Intelligent Systems and Digital Technology. He is based in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Derby.
Shafik is an international expert who has made a personal distinction and gained international recognition, in the field of Intelligent Mechatronics Systems and Digital Technology. With more than 20 years industrial applied research experience in:
- mechatronics systems hardware and software
- innovation for sustainable engineering
- sustainable design and innovation in products and manufacturing processes
- control and instrumentation
- sustainable rail transport infrastructure
- cancer treatment using CVD diamond radio therapy technology
- information technology for people with visual impairments
- chronic diseases technological solutions
- telehealth and telecare
- assisted living technology
- automation
- electric cars-steer by wire
- ad-hoc wireless technology
- CO2 and climate change
- 3D smart actuator for robotic guidance and machine vision
- electro-rheological fluid micro actuators technology
- software tools
- crisis management and prevention.
Shafik also has several patents in the areas of applied research and sustainable technology.
He has chaired, secured, managed and delivered several European Commission projects, FP5, FP6 and FP7 programmes, Horizon of a budget of more than €20 million and have made a great economic and social impact in this area of expertise in UK and EU.
Shafik’s research work has brought many innovative outcomes that have been used commercially by a number of small, medium and large enterprise organisations around the world, including:
Austria
- AIT Austrian Institute Of Technology GmbH
- Kirchmayer Handel & Consulting GmbH
Belgium
Czech Republic
- Brno University Of Technology (BUT)
Finland
- Oulun Yliopisto (UOULU)
- Veslatec Oy
France
Germany
- Audi
- Carbonfuture GmbH
- Diamond Materials GmbH<
- Hochschule Bremerhaven - University of Applied Sciences
- PTW Freiburg
- Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen
- Seanexus Blue Bioeconomy Ug
- Varta Microbattery GmbH (VMB)
- Varta Storage GmbH (VS)
Indonesia
Ireland
- Spectrum Telecom Installations Ltd
Italy
- Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita Di Bologna (UNIBO)
- Beond S.R.L. (Beond)
- Fertilidea S.R.L.
- Politecnico Di Torino (POLITO)
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
- Universita Degli Studi Di Genova (UNIGE)
- Universita Degli Studi Di Napoli
- Universita Degli Studi Di Trieste (UNITS)
Japan
Netherlands
Norway
- Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet (NTNU)
- Universitetet I Bergen (UiB)
Portugal
- INEGI - Instituto De Ciencia E Inovacao Em Engenharia Mecanica E Engenharia Industrial
Romania
- Universitatea Aurel Vlaicu Din Arad
Singapore
- Singapore University Of Technology & Design (SUTD)
Spain
- Centro De Investigaciones Energeticas Medioambientales Y Tecnologicas (CIEMAT)
- Pirotecnia Oscense SA
- Universidad Carlos III De Madrid (UC3M)
- Universidad Politecnica De Madrid (UPM)
Sweden
- Blekinge Institute Of Technology (BTH)
- Rise Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE)
Switzerland
- Bern University Of Applied Science (BFH)
- Open Climate Solutions
Turkey
- Istanbul Okan Universitesi (Okan)
- Istanbul Teknik Universitesi (ITU)
UK
- Fireworks International Ltd
- Ford
- Glasgow City Council
- Innvotek Ltd
- Intersurgical Ltd
- Micromech Limited
- RNIB
- Rolls Royce
- Semelab PLC
- Shaw Trust
- Smart Technology Ltd
- Total Motion Systems Ltd
- University Of Warwick
Mahmoud is a visiting professor and curriculum consultant for a few universities in the EU, Japan, China, and Middle East. He is a committee member of The Consortium of UK University Manufacturing and Engineering (COMEH) for the Engineering Professors’ Council and is serving as an Assessor and Knowledge Transfer Expert for the UK Knowledge Transfer Network, EPSRC, Innovate-UK and EC Research Programmes.
He holds the position of University Reader in Intelligent Systems and Digital Technology and lead academic of Engineering (EE) partnership programs at the College of Science and Engineering. He is also plenary speaker, external examiner, PhD and MSc research programmes supervisor and has a number of industrial notes and several publications in international world leading journals and conferences.
He always welcomes the opportunity to discuss any possible academic and industrial collaborations and provide the necessary initial consultation.
Research interests
Shafik's research looks at new products development and various technological challenges facing Small to Medium (SME's) and Large Enterprises (LE's) organisations across UK and Europe. This is aiming to develop a new cutting-edge technology to sustain organisations development, business growth and bring up new products that would help them to compete with the market competitors.
Areas of interest:
- industrial 4.0 and beyond
- mechatronics systems
- robotics technology
- innovation in sustainable engineering
- autonomous systems and industrial applied research applications
- smart and digital manufacturing
- smart factories of tomorrow
- IoT, IoE, 5G networking, data science capture, monitoring, and fusion
- embedded (PLC) systems and intelligent control
- smart materials industrial applications
- sensors and actuators
- machine vision
- 3D/6D system architecture, and integration
- medical smart devices and applications
- assisted living technology
- telehealth and telecare
- electro-discharge machining technology
- computer simulation modelling
- street and drive by wire
- CAD and software tools
Qualifications
FHEA
Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Ref. No.: PR075234, UK.
Undergraduate qualifications
- BEng (Hons) in Electrical, and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.
General Grade: First Class (Honours)
Postgraduate qualifications
-
MSc in Autonomous Control Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.
General Grade: Distinction
- PhD in Mechatronics Engineering and Digital Technology, Faculty of Computing Sciences and Technology, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK.
Research qualifications:
- PhD in Mechatronics Engineering and Digital Technology, Faculty of Computing Sciences and Technology, De Montfort University, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK.
Recent conferences
Roles include as chairman, co-general chairman, and session chair
International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research (ICMERR)
- ICMERR2025, 15-17 January 2025, Barcelona, Spain
- ICMERR2023, 8-10 December 2023, Krakow, Poland
- ICMERR2022, 9-11 December 2022, Krakow, Poland
Find out more on the ICMERR website.
International Conference on Intelligent Traffic and Transportation (ICITT)
- ICITT2025, 15-17 September 2025, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- ICITT2024, 16-18 September 2024, Florence, Italy
- ICITT2023, 18-20 September 2023, Madrid, Spain
- ICITT2022, 25-27 September 2022, Paris, France
- ICITT2021, VR Online Conference
- ICITT2020, VR Online Conference
- ICITT2019, 22-24 September 2019, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- ICITT2018, Stockholm, Sweden
Find out more on the ICITT website.
International Conference on Communication and Network Technology (ICCNT)
- ICNNT2025, 15-17 September 2025, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- ICNNT2024, 16-18 September 2024, Florence, Italy
- ICCNT2023, 18-20 September 2023, Madrid, Spain
- ICCNT2022, 25-27 September 2022, Paris, France
- ICCNT2021, VR Online Conference
- ICCNT2020, VR Online Conference
- ICCNT2019, 22-24 September 2019, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- ICCNT2018, Stockholm, Sweden
Find out more on the ICNNT website.
International Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR)
- ICMR2022, 6-8 September 2022, University of Derby, UK
- ICMR2021, 7-10 September 2021, University of Derby, UK
Find out more on the ICMR website.
Roles including as a fully sponsored invited plenary, and keynote speaker
- GDF2024 – Global Development Forum 2024
Date: 27-28 April 2024
Location: Shenzhen, China
Keynote speech title: "Industry 4.0 and Beyond: Towards Self-learning Machinery and Connected Devices – Is Imitation Learning the Future of Our Manufacturing Industry?!"
Website: https://www.gala-tech.com/gdf2024en/index.html
- ICITT2024 and ICCNT2024 – Joint Conferences
Date: 16-18 September 2024
Location: Florence, Italy
Keynote speech title: "Intelligent Traffic and Transportation Challenges and Opportunities: Towards 2D and 3D Data Streaming for Connected Vehicles' Critical Safety Essentials"
Websites: icitt.org and iccnt.org
- ICITT2023 and ICCNT2023 – Joint Conferences
Date: 18-20 September 2023
Location: Madrid, Spain
Keynote speech title: "Intelligent Traffic and Transportation Challenges and Opportunities: Towards Self-learning Vehicles – Is Imitation Learning the Future of Our Industry?!"
Websites: icitt.org and iccnt.org
- ICIUS2022 – International Conference on Intelligent Unmanned Systems
Date: 9-11 August 2022
Location: Tokushima, Japan
Keynote speech title: "Industry 4.0 and Beyond: Towards Connected Devices and Self-learning Machinery – Is Imitation Learning the Future of Our Industry?!"
Website: icius2022.itlab.org
- ICITT2022 – International Conference on Intelligent Traffic and Transportation
Date: 25-27 September 2022
Location: Paris, France
Keynote speech title: "Industry 4.0, Steer and Fly by Wire: Towards Connected Autonomous and Hover Vehicles for Future Smart Cities Applications"
Website: icitt.org
- British Council Workshop – UK-Saudi Electric Vehicles Network
Date: 24–30 November 2022
Location: Brunel University, London, UK
Keynote speech title: "Industry 4.0, Drive and Fly by Wire: Towards Connected Autonomous Vehicle Technology for Future Smart Cities Applications"
- ICMR2021 – International Conference on Manufacturing Research
Date: 8–10 September 2021
Location: University of Derby, UK
Keynote speech title: "Impact of Industry 4.0 on NHS Manufacturing: Towards Digital Healthcare and Greater Patient Care"
Website: icmr.org.uk
- INFOTECH2019 – 6th Annual World Congress of InfoTech
Date: 10–12 May 2019
Location: Nanjing, China
Keynote speech title: "Universal Medical Care Platform Solution for People with Long-Term Health Conditions Based on 5G and Wireless Sensors Network Technology"
Website: bitcongress.com
- ICITT2019 – International Conference on Intelligent Traffic and Transportation
Date: 22–24 September 2019
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Keynote speech title: "A New Generation of Medical Devices: Towards Digital Agenda and Greater Healthcare"
Website: icitt.org
- ICTSST2019 – International Conference on Tourism and Social Support Technologies
Date: 21–22 March 2019
Location: Lamego, Portugal
Keynote speech title: "Medical Care Platform Solution for People with Long-Term Health Conditions Based on Wireless Sensors Network Technology"
Website: estgl.ipv.pt
- British Council Workshop 2018 – Newton Fund (UK and Kenya)
Date: 18–21 November 2018
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Keynote speech title: "A Strategy to Assist SMEs and New Startups in Kenya to Improve Business Growth and Employability: Towards T-Shaped Industrialists and Responsible Innovation"
- ICITT2018 and ICCNT2018 – Joint Conferences
Date: 22–24 September 2018
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Keynote speech title: "A Case-Driven Intelligent Healthcare Platform Solution for People with Long-Term Health Conditions Based on Wireless Sensors Network Technology"
Websites: icitt.org and iccnt.org
Experience in industry
Job Title: EC Coordinator and Principal Investigator, Pera Innovation Ltd, UK
Job Title: Delivery Manager and Senior Technologist, Pera Innovation Ltd, UK
Job Title: Delivery Manager and Technologist, Pera Innovation Ltd, UK
These roles involved:
- Establishing links with relevant and existing industrial partners
- concept development and innovation management initiatives
- Initiated and coordinated multiple R&D projects across Europe
- Conducted in-depth technology investigations
- Prepared and submitted successful funding bids
- Managed project delivery, timelines, and cross-functional teams
- Facilitated knowledge transfer between partners and stakeholders
- Developed and prototyped innovative products and systems
- Applied Mechatronics engineering in diverse European manufacturing sectors
Shafik also supported the development of technologies in:
- Medical electronics and robotics
- Intensive care systems
- CVD diamond and silicon x-ray medical applications
- Radiotherapy sensors
- Chronic disease monitoring sensors
- Assisted living technology and sensors
- Telehealth and Telecare
- Data capture and monitoring systems
- Data acquisition systems
- Semantic data technology
- CO₂ sensors
- Optic-chemical sensor systems
- Sensors and actuators
- Cumulative Vacuum Deposition (CVD) diamond sensors
- Silicon x-ray sensor technology
- Piezoelectric ultrasonic actuator technology
- Electro-rheological fluid actuator technology
- Ad-hoc wireless networking technology
- Intelligent systems
- Software tools
- Crisis management and prevention
- Security technologies
Chair, Management and delivery of European Commission (EC FP6 & FP7), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI/TSB), single client projects, from initiation through to post implementation review, own the plan and agree it with the client/stakeholder, and negotiate and secure necessary resources.
Other duties involve:
- Assisting other departments with:
- Project development
- Prototype design
- Testing and commissioning
- Communicating with the technical team to:
- Support the sales drive
- Design and present tailored solutions to end customers (SMEs)
- Help achieve sales targets
- Identifying business needs and proposing new strategies to enter emerging markets, including:
- Smart materials
- Automotive industry
- Aerospace industry
- Robotic systems
- Establishing new opportunities in the global market
- Maintaining strong relationships with the existing client base
- Supporting business development across the EU
- Assisting teams in Denmark, Norway, France, and other European countries
Job Title: Innovation Consultant, Nexsis Technology Ltd, Cy
Job Title: Technical Consultant, EC, UK
Job Title: Chartered Engineer, Department of Aerospace, Egypt
International experience
Knowledge Transfer Expert and Peer Reviewer:
- 2022 - present: Innovate-UK Knowledge Transfer Expert, UK/Saudi - British Council, UK.
- 2018 - present: Innovate-UK Mentor and Technology Transfer Expert, UK/Kenya - British Council, UK.
- 2016 - present: Innovate-UK Knowledge Transfer Expert, UK/Egypt - British Council, UK.
- 2005 - present: EC, EPSRC, DTI, and Innovate-UK Grant Peer Reviewer, and Assessor, UK.
Teaching responsibilities
Mahmoud teaches on-campus and online students at undergraduate and postgraduate Level, in courses including:
- MSc in Mechatronics with four pathways, i.e. powertrain, automation, robotics, and instrumentation
- MSc in Innovative Engineering Solutions
- MSc in Control and Instrumentation
- I/CEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BSc (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- FdEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
He is a module leader and has taught the following modules:
- MSc Industrial Electronics and Automation
- MSc Advanced Mechatronics Systems
- BEng (Hons) Control Systems Engineering and Technology
and contributed to:
- MSc Embedded Systems Design and AI
- MSc Advanced Robotics and AI
- MSc Modern Control Systems
- BEng (Hons) Sensors and Embedded Systems
- BEng (Hons) Control Systems and Electrical Machines
He also has experience in:
- MSc Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- MSc Advanced Computer Simulation and Modelling
- BEng (Hons) Analog and Digital Electronics
- BEng (Hons) Advanced Control Systems
- BEng (Hons) Circuit Theory I & II
- BEng (Hons) Computer Systems C & C++
- BEng (Hons) Sensors and Actuators
- Short courses and various training programmes
Additional interests and activities
Shafik is a Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics.
He is also an international reviewer of:
- IMECHe, UK
- IEEE, Industrial Electronics, Mechatronics, UK
- IET, UK
- ASME, USA
