In a scientific achievement reflecting Al-Mustaqbal University's academic excellence and growing research presence in international scientific forums, a joint research paper received a Certificate of Participation with Honors at the 4th International Conference on Emerging Trends in AI and Computational Technologies (ICONEST 2026), hosted by Universitas PGRI Ronggolawe (UNIROW) in Indonesia from October 28 to 29, 2026.
The research participation was represented by the paper entitled:
"An Intelligent Intrusion Detection Framework for Smart Campus IoT Networks Using Apache Spark and Machine Learning"
(An Intelligent Framework for Intrusion Detection in Smart Campus Internet of Things Networks Using Apache Spark and Machine Learning).
The research was jointly conducted and presented by Prof. Dr. Mehdi Ebady Manaa, Director of Al-Mustaqbal Center for Artificial Intelligence Applications at Al-Mustaqbal University; Dr. Aeizaal Azman Abdul Wahab, an academic at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM); and researcher Mustafa Ghassan Khlaif, a postgraduate student.
The research addresses the development of an integrated intelligent framework for detecting intrusions and cybersecurity threats targeting Internet of Things (IoT) networks in smart campus environments. It utilizes big data processing technologies through Apache Spark alongside machine learning algorithms to strengthen network security, improve data analysis efficiency, detect suspicious activities, and provide advanced technological solutions to protect the digital infrastructure of educational institutions.
Prof. Dr. Mehdi Ebady Manaa played a pivotal role in leading the research direction and supervising its scientific and technical aspects, drawing on his academic and research expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and big data processing. He guided the research toward developing intelligent solutions that contribute to strengthening the security of IoT networks and smart campus applications.
This work also represents a model of fruitful joint scientific collaboration between Iraqi and Malaysian researchers through the integration of academic expertise and the exchange of knowledge and research experience. Such collaboration strengthens international partnerships and supports the participation of researchers and postgraduate students in international scientific conferences.
The participants received a Certificate of Participation with Honors in recognition of their scientific contribution to the conference. The conference proceedings were also published in cooperation with ICAIIT Proceedings, issued by Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Germany, and associated with Scopus-indexed publications.
This achievement aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through supporting scientific research and developing academic capabilities; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through developing innovative technological solutions in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strengthening international research and academic collaboration between educational institutions.
This scientific participation highlights the commitment of Al-Mustaqbal University and Al-Mustaqbal Center for Artificial Intelligence Applications to supporting researchers and postgraduate students, fostering high-quality research projects, and strengthening international academic partnerships. These efforts contribute to advancing scientific output, promoting research and innovation, and keeping pace with global technological developments.
Al-Mustaqbal University: The First Among Private Universities in Iraq.