VU
Virtual University of Pakistan
Federal Government University
Employee Portrait
Network Executive • Head of Department
Engr. Syed Naushad Yousaf Shah
Networking
Directorate of ICT
Highest Qualification
Other (Network Monitoring and Management)
Specialization / Major
Strategic Planning, Institutional Development and Digital Infrastructure Management
PROFILE SUMMARY

I am an Electrical Engineer and Professional Engineer (PEC) with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, institutional development, ICT and digital infrastructure, project planning and execution, and inter-agency coordination. My professional experience spans Virtual University of Pakistan, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Software Export Board, Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited, and SAARC Energy Centre, where I have contributed to university-wide infrastructure development, technology transformation, connectivity, data centre development, and strategic institutional initiatives. At Virtual University, I have led the strategic planning, design, deployment and commissioning of its indigenous Tier 2 Compliant Data Centre, coordinated nationwide fibre-optic connectivity, and led technology-driven projects involving government and technology-sector stakeholders. I have also been involved in infrastructure and capital development planning, electrical and energy systems, contractual and commercial coordination, MoUs, resource planning, and project execution oversight. I have completed an e-Project Management course certified by the National Productivity Organization (NPO), Ministry of Industries, Government of Pakistan, further complementing my practical project leadership experience. I have received institutional recognition for project delivery, Data Centre establishment, professional contribution and long service, and have served in technical and coordination roles involving HEC, NTC, PTCL, PSEB, PITB, PTA and other strategic stakeholders. My area of specialization is Strategic Planning, Institutional Development & Digital Infrastructure, with a focus on translating institutional objectives into sustainable infrastructure, technology and development initiatives.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research Collaborations Electrical and Computer Engineering AI e Learning and Hybrid Degree Models Engagement in the development of international academic collaboration models for Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, focusing on structured e Learning, blended hybrid delivery and 2 plus 2 B ENG and 3 plus 2 M ENG academic pathways leading to internationally recognized engineering qualifications. The initiatives involve academic curriculum mapping, credit-transfer frameworks, quality assurance, institutional linkages and global engineering education partnerships, enabling students to complete their foundational and advanced academic components through structured local and international study pathways. The proposed models emphasize STEM focused education, technology enabled learning, cost optimization, international exposure, industry alignment and global career mobility, while maintaining academic compliance and institutional autonomy. The collaboration framework also explores scalable AI enabled and digital learning models for engineering education and sustainable international academic pathways.

Experience

Network Executive Operations and Monitoring
Virtual University of Pakistan
Sep 01, 2023 — Sep 21, 2026
Strategic VU PITB MoU Technical Lead for the Initiative Led Technical Planning Coordination and Execution for Outsourcing of Call Center Services through a Customized CRM-Based Citizen Contact Center Solution
Member Technical Steering Committee
Higher Education Commission HEC
Sep 22, 2020 — Jan 26, 2022
Evaluation planning and implementation of Tier Three Certified Prefabricated Data Centers in Lahore and Karachi Contract review project planning execution oversight and operational monitoring through project completion
Network Executive Operations and Monitoring
Virtual University of Pakistan
Jan 20, 2020 — Sep 21, 2026
Establishment of VU first indigenous Data Center at Lahore Project Lead for strategic planning design deployment and commissioning of state of the art Data Center infrastructure
Focal Person Program Coordinator
SAARC Energy Centre Islamabad
Aug 02, 2018 — Dec 31, 2021
Strategic liaison with SAARC Energy Centre Project Lead for technology transfer and launch of the Basic Technical Training Program in 2019 Successfully facilitated an internationally attended program with participants from Pakistan Sri Lanka Bangladesh Australia and UAE
Network Executive Operations and Monitoring
Virtual University of Pakistan and NTC
Jul 02, 2018 — Sep 21, 2026
Strategic VU NTC Alliance Focal Person for nationwide fiber optic connectivity tariff negotiations and end to end network deployment
Network Executive Operations and Monitoring
Virtual University of Pakistan
Feb 16, 2018 — Sep 21, 2026
Operations and monitoring of VU enterprise ICT infrastructure Network Management Systems and Data Center Focal Point for strategic coordination with NTC on nationwide fiber optic deployment HEC on PERN dark fiber connectivity and managed bandwidth services PTCL on Tier Three Data Center and IaaS services and SAARC Energy Centre on power system planning and analysis through distance learning
Dy Network Executive
Virtual University of Pakistan
Jan 01, 2009 — Aug 17, 2020
ICT and telecom infrastructure planning development and transformation SMART and SECURE University Initiative Earth Station revamp and VUTV MPEG Two to MPEG Four migration Nationwide fiber optic network deployment NMS implementation Strategic HEC NTC liaison for PERN and fiber connectivity
Network Expert
Iqbal Academy Pakistan Ministry of Culture
Feb 01, 2008 — Dec 31, 2008
Leadership and management of Wide Area Network WAN revamp and infrastructure modernization project
Manager Coordination APM Network Design Engineer
Pakistan Software Export Board PSEB
Apr 01, 2000 — Jan 31, 2008
Establishment and management of Software Technology Park Data Network Node Regional IT industry coordination and stakeholder engagement
Deputation
PRAL to PSEB
Apr 01, 2000 — Nov 30, 2000
Provided expertise in IT and ICT infrastructure Software Technology Park development project planning and technical coordination Liaised with relevant government and technology sector stakeholders to support regional IT development initiatives
Electronics Engineer
Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited PRAL
Dec 17, 1999 — Nov 30, 2000
Technical documentation and engineering specifications of Siemens Rectifier Systems with backup battery panels for PTCL Telephone Exchanges

Certifications & Credentials

Microsoft Educators AI Technical Foundation Bootcamp
Microsoft - HEC-NUCES-COMSATS
Year: 2026 • Duration: 2 Days • Mode: e-Learning
Freelancing Market Study
DigiSkills - VU
Year: 2023 • Duration: 3 Months • Mode: Online
Digital Marketing Strategy
DigiSkills - VU
Year: 2023 • Duration: 3 months • Mode: Online
Enterprise Network Rouring & Switching
Huawei Enterprise
Year: 2019 • Duration: one month • Mode: Hybrid
29th South Asian Network Operators Group Meeting - SANOG
HEC Islamabad
Year: 2017 • Duration: one week • Mode: Physical
Pakistan School on Internet Governance ( PKSIG )
VU Lahore
Year: 2016 • Duration: 2 days • Mode: Physical
Invention to Innovation Summit
Punjab University Lahore
Year: 2016 • Duration: 2 days • Mode: Physical
Manage Engine Certified Professional - MECP
Zoho Corp - Dubai
Year: 2014 • Duration: one week • Mode: Abroad Physical
Operations Manager
Manage Engine
Year: 2014 • Duration: one week • Mode: Abroad Physical
Application Manager
Manage Engine
Year: 2014 • Duration: one week • Mode: Abroad Physical
e-Project Management
NPO- MoI
Year: 2013 • Duration: one week • Mode: Hybrid
Junos Certification
Juniper networks
Year: 2012 • Duration: 2 weeks • Mode: Hybrid
Network Performance Monitoring Specialist
SEECS - School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Year: 2010 • Duration: one day • Mode: Physical
Information Security Management Systems -ISMS
Moodys International
Year: 2009 • Duration: 2 weeks • Mode: Physical
Management - Total Productive Maintenance
UET Lahore
Year: 2008 • Duration: 2 days • Mode: Physical
Interconnecting Enterprise Network Devices
Cisco- Comsats
Year: 2002 • Duration: one week • Mode: Physical
Building Scalable Networks
Cisco - Comsats
Year: 2002 • Duration: one week • Mode: Physical

Projects

Tier 3 Certified Prefabricated Data Centers Lahore Karachi
Funded by: World Bank HEC
Year: 2020 • Role: Member • Duration: 2 years • Grant: Rs. 1,050

Professional Memberships

Professional Engineer
Body: Pakistan Engineering Council
Year: 1999 • Type: Executive • Validity: Life Time

Awards & Distinctions

Technical Lead - VU-PITB MoU - Call Center Services Outsourcing
Awarded by: Director-ICT
Year: 2023 • Category: Appreciation • Level: Acknowledgement
Focal Person - PSEB for University`s Academia & IT Industry Linkage
Awarded by: Director-ICT
Year: 2023 • Category: Appreciation • Level: Acknowledgement
Long Service Award & Appreciation
Awarded by: Rector
Year: 2022 • Category: Service at VU • Level: Acknowledgement
Establishment of Indigenous Data Center at Lahore
Awarded by: Rector
Year: 2020 • Category: Appreciation • Level: Acknowledgement
Focal Person - Nationwide Fiber Deployment Project - NTC
Awarded by: Rector
Year: 2018 • Category: Appreciation • Level: Acknowledgement
Resource Person - Initiative on Modern University Governance Program
Awarded by: Founding Rector
Year: 2014 • Category: Appreciation • Level: Acknowledgment

Official Letters

Appreciation Letter
Issued by: Recommendation Letter • Recommended by: Dr. Jahangir Ikram
Date: Jun 02, 1999 • Year: 1999
Distinguished Engineer - UET Lahore
Appreciation Letter
Issued by: Recommendation Letter • Recommended by: Dr. Muhamaad Kamran
Date: Jun 01, 1999 • Year: 1999
Distinguished Engineer - UET Lahore