Research Interests Controls and Dynamics, Artificial intelligence, Electricity Restructuring, Energy Systems and Markets, Smart Grid, Adaptive Agent Systems, Sustainable development, Education and Industry Linkages, and e-Infrastructure.
Experience Control Systems and Dynamics: Modeling analysis of adaptive control systems, state space model of stochastic systems, and optimal estimation for discrete system models based on Kalman filters as optimal system state estimators for time-varying system models. Design of self-tuning controllers, implementation of lead-lag compensator, and stability and convergence analysis of stochastic gradient and least-square with covariance modification algorithms, and application study for attitude stabilization of the ATS-6 Collaboration: Professor Miloje Radenkovic [University of Colorado].
Fuzzy systems Knowledgebase inference engines on the basis of expert control and Fuzzy set theory. The main focus has been on fuzzy relations, reasoning, and compositional operators in systems control and prediction Collaboration: Professor Miloje Radenkovic [University of Colorado].
Scheduling of Power Generation Units Developing a new optimization method based on Augmented Lagrangian for scheduling hydrothermal generation units, while meeting real-time operational constraints of the electric power system. The analysis involved power dispatch, generation-load balance, unit commitment, transmission constraints, power loss, and emission cap requirements – Collaboration: Professor Renjeng Su [University of Colorado].
Electric Power Industry Restructuring Design, implementation, and analysis of restructured electricity industry operating on the basis of Pool and Multilateral Coordinated trade systems. Modeling complexity of two types of electricity restructuring mechanisms comprising of electric power generation entities (all sorts of generation mix: Hydro, Thermal, Coal, and Nuclear) on the supply side, transmission grid interconnection, and power distribution on the demand side. A non-linear system of equations has been developed on the basis of supply function equilibria model for deriving bidding strategies of competing generators. Analysis of bus power injections, power system stability, spot pricing, network congestion, and elasticity of power demand. An augmented Lagrangian approach is introduced to solve iteratively for global optimal operations schedules in bilateral and day ahead electricity markets Collaboration: Professor Renjeng Su [University of Colorado].
Agent-based electric power system Modeling of the main electricity elements: generation, transmission, and distribution as complex adaptive systems that need to strictly coordinate not only to trade but also to keep generation-load balance in real-time while maintaining security and reliability, emission cap, and contingency limitations of the electricity grid system. Implementing a complex adaptive system model to create intelligent software agents that interact and coordinate autonomously on behalf of their underlying electricity elements, while coping with the inherent real-time dynamism in electricity supply and demand. Use of evolutionary negotiation strategies among trade agents. Develop a software architecture for an agent-based grid system using C++/DCOM and ACL/KQML Collaboration: Professor Nabil Fayoumi [Yarmouk University] and Professor Amjed Fahoum [Yarmouk University].
Supply curve bidding of Electricity Contributing to the “Standard Market Design” research in electricity systems related to: optimal supply curve bidding, locational marginal pricing, and transmission congestion. Developing models that allow power generation companies to produce different types of profit-maximizing supply curve bids, while meeting network congestion constraints Collaboration: Professor Hatim Yamin [Yarmouk University], Professor Mohamed Shahidehpour [Illinois Institute of Technology], and Professor Richard Tabors [Tabors & Caramanis Associates].
Innovative partnership in Education Involved as a Dean, Department chair, and Director in several industry linkage projects and educational development programs in coordination with international universities in Germany, Finland, Sweden, and the US. Developing quality, relevant, and industry-oriented IT education and on devising an innovative partnership model that links the academic institutions with the ICT industrial sector to better cultivate collaboration and partnership with industrial and business partners and align the skills and knowledge of students to real and immediate industry needs Collaborations: Professor Tapio Varis [University Tampere], Professor Rainer Herpers/ Professor Ulrich-Witt [Bonn-Rhine-Sieg University of Applied Sciences], Professor Ralf Denzer [Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes], and Professor Leonard Ferrari [Naval Postgraduate School]. e-Infrastructure Involved as an Advisor in the Arab States Research and Education Network in several European Commission funded FP7 projects for developing a pan-Arab e-Infrastructure. The purpose is establish a dedicated high speed communication network to link universities and research centers in the Arab region and facilitate access to computing resources and digital content worldwide. The projects include: CHAIN, CHIAN-REDs, EUMEDCONNECT3, EUMEDGRID, and EPIK. Collaborations: Professor Ales Krenek, [CESNET (Czech Republic)], David West, [DANTE (UK)], Professor Federico Ruggieri, [INFN (Italy)], Dr. Ognjen Prnjat, [GRNET (Greece)], Dr. Roberto Barbera, [INFN & University of Catania (Italy)]
Refereed Journal Publications S. Al-Gharabli, S. Al-Agtash, "Artificial Neural Networks for
Dihedral Angles Prediction in Enzyme Loops: a Novel Approach”, International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and
Applications, Vol.
11, 2015, pp. 153–163.
S. Al-Agtash, “Electricity Agents in Smart Grid Markets”, Computers in Industry, Vol.64, pp.234-241, 2013 S. Al-Agtash, “PC-Based Automated Control System for Jordan Northern Grain Silo”, Engineering, Vol.4, No.12, 2012 S. Al-Agtash, “Workforce Assessment in the Jordanian ICT Industry”, International Journal of Social and Organizational Dynamics in Information Technology, Volume 1, Issue 4, pp.18-36, 2011 S. Al-Agtash, “Supply Curve Bidding of Electricity in Constrained Power Networks”, Energy, Vol. 35, No.7, pp.2886-2892, 2010 S. Al-Agtash, A. Al-Fahoum, “An Innovative Model for University – Industry Partnership”, International Journal of Innovation and Learning, Vol. 5, No. 5, pp.512–532, 2008 S. Al-Agtash, N. Al-Fayoumi, “Software Engineering Approach to Developing Agents for Electricity E-commerce”, International Transactions on Systems Science and Applications, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 360-370, 2007 S. Al-Agtash, A. Al-Fahoum, “An Evolutionary Computation Approach to Electricity Trade Negotiation”, Advances in Engineering Software, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2005. S. Al-Agtash, H. Yamin, “Optimal Supply Curve Bidding Using Benders Decomposition in Competitive Electricity Markets”, Electric Power Systems Research, International Journal, Vol. 71, No. 3, pp. 245-255, 2004.W. Awad, S. Al-Agtash, A. Nsour, “Adaptive Neuro – Fuzzy Inference system for Traffic Cycle Optimization”, International Journal of Modeling and Simulation, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 80 – 84, 2004. S. Al-Agtash, R. Su, "Economic Efficiency of Pool Coordinated Electricity Markets", International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 281-289, 2004. H.Y. Yamin, S. Al-Agtash, S.M. Shahidehpour, “Security-Constrained Optimal Generation Scheduling for GENCOs”, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 1365-1372, 2004 N. Al-Fayoumi, S. Al-Agtash, “Electronic Multilateral Trade of Electricity”, Advances in Engineering Software, Vol. 33, No. 11-12, pp. 749-759, 2002. S. Al-Agtash, R. Su, "Economic Efficiency of Coordinated Multilateral Trades in Electricity Markets", International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, Vol. 24, No. 10, pp. 843-850, 2002. S. Al-Agtash, N. Al-Fayoumi, "Resource Operation Planning in Competitive Power Systems”, Journal of Computers & Electrical Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 5, July 2002, pp. 335-348. S. Al-Agtash, N. Al-Fayoumi, "A Trade Server for Electricity e-Commerce”, Computers in Industry, Vol. 47, No.1, 2002, pp.89-97. S. Al-Agtash, "Hydrothermal Scheduling by Augmented Lagrangian: Consideration of Transmission Constraints and Pumped-Storage units", IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2001, pp.750-756. N. Al-Fayoumi, S. Al-Agtash, "Auto-Negotiation in Competitive Power Industries”, International Journal of Engineering Simulation, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2000, pp.18-22. A. Nsour, I. Al-Hujazi, S. Al-Agtash, “Optimal Traffic Cycle Estimation Using Neural Networks”, International Journal of Modeling and Simulation, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2000, 221-226. S. Al-Agtash, R. Su, "Augmented Lagrangian Approach to Hydrothermal Scheduling", IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 13, No. 4, 1998, pp.1392-1400. S. Bataineh , A. Al-Anbukey and S. Al-Agtash , "An Expert System for Unit Commitment and Power Demand Prediction Using Fuzzy Logic and Neural Networks", Expert Systems, Vol. 13, No. 1, February 1996. A. Al-Anbukey, S. Bataineh, S. Al-Agtash, "Power Demand Prediction Using Fuzzy Logic", Control Engineering Practice, IFAC, Vol. 3, No. 9, September 1995, pp.1291-1298.
Conference Proceedings S. Al-Agtash, Roberto Barbera, Federico Ruggeiri, Boubakar Barry, “Intercontinental Networking towards a Cohesive Platform of Collaboration with Africa and Arabia”, Internet2 Global Summit, Washington DC, USA, 2015. S. Al-Agtash, “Towards Pan-Arab Transformative Education and Rejuvenation”, World Universities Forum 2015: The Economics of Higher Education”, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, USA, 2015. O. Prnjat, M. Rodriguez, S. Al-Agtash, “Surveying Clouds in the Global Environment”, Proceeding of the International Platform on Integrating Arab e-Infrastructures, Muscat, Oman, 2014. S. Al-Agtash, “Towards Developing Pan-Arab e-Infrastructure in a Regional Context”, Proceeding of the EUMEDGRID-Support User Forum, Lyon, France, 2011 S. Al-Agtash, “Case Study: Developing Quality and Relevance ICT Education at the German Jordanian University through EU-Tempus Project”, Proceeding of the 3rd Event on European Mediterranean e-Infrastructure , Brussels, Belgium, 2010 J. Pulkkinen, S. Al-Agtash, B.Kane , “Framework on Education for All in the Digital Age”, Global Forum of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, Mexico City, Mexico, 2009 S. Al-Agtash, “Sustainable Education and Cultural Literacy in the Arab Regional Context”, Proceeding of SECL 2008: Ubiquitous ICT for Sustainable Education and Cultural Literacy, Finland, 2008 S. Al-Agtash, L. Khadra, “World Class Universities in Developing Countries: German-Jordanian University Model”, Proceeding of the 2nd International Conference on World Class Universities, Shanghai, China, 2007 S. Al-Agtash, T. Dwairy, A. El-Nasan, B. Mull, M. Barakat, A. Shqair, “Re-Engineering BLUE Financial System Using Round-Trip Engineering and JAVA Language Conversion Assistant”, The 2006 International Conference on Software Engineering Research & Practice, Las Vegas, Nevada, pp. 657-663, 2006 S. Al-Agtash, "Developing agent for electricity trade markets", 2006 IEEE Workshop on Distributed Intelligent Systems, Prague – Czech Republic, June 2006, pp. 231-236. S. Al-Agtash, “ Evolutionary Negotiation Strategies in Emerging Electricity Markets”, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing, Zakopane – Poland, Book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science, ISBN: 978-3-540-22123-4, 2004, pp. 1099 - 1104. W. Awad, S. Al-Agtash, A. Nsour, “Adaptive Neuro – Fuzzy Inference system for Traffic Cycle Optimization”, Proceedings of IFSA 2003, International Fuzzy System Association, Istanbul – Turkey, June 2003. N. Al-Fayoumi, S. Al-Agtash, “Agent-Based Electricity Trade”, Proceedings of CAINE 2001, International Society of Computer Applications, Las Vegas, US, November 2001. S. Al-Agtash, N. Al-Fayoumi, "Automated Trading in Electricity Spot Markets ", Proceedings of The International Energy Conference, Dubai, May 2000. S. Al-Agtash, N. Al-Fayoumi, "Software Architecture for Modeling Competitive Power Systems", Proceedings of IEEE PES Winter Meeting 2000, Vol. 3, pp. 1674 –1679,Singapore, January 2000.
Technical Reports S. Al-Agtash, Arab e-Infrastructure Status Report, Publication of Arab States Research and Education Network, Jordan, 2012. J. Pulkkinen, S. Al-Agtash, B.Kane, Framework on Education for All in the Digital Age, United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, USA, 2010. Tapio Varis, S. Al-Agtash (Editors): Ubiquitous ICT for Sustainable Education and Cultural Literacy, Publications of the Finnish National Commission of UNESCO No.84, Finland, 2008 S. Al-Agtash, Workforce in Jordanian ICT Industry: Competency-based Evaluations and Needs Assessment - GJU Series in Industry Evaluations and Technologies, German-Jordanian University press, 2008. S. Al-Agtash, et al, “Principles for Responsible Management Education”, UN Global Compact, 2007S. Khatib, J. Afifi, A. Khawaldeh, S. Al-Agtash, O. Al Jarrah, E. Jaser, O. Hamarneh, S. Younis, B. Ajlouni, A. Qattan, Research & Development Strategy for Information and Communication Technology, 2007 – 2009, Ministry of Information & Communication Technology, 2007 O. Al-Jarrah, S. Ghawanmeh, S. Al-Agtash, et. al. National eLearning Strategy, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, 2007. L. Khadra, S. Al-Agtash, O. Al-Jarrah, S. Ghawanmeh,, et. al., Reviewing Policies in Information & Communication Technologies in Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, 2007 L. Khadra, S. Al-Agtash, M. Al-Otoum, H. Kilani, Jordanian Industry: Competency-based Evaluations and Needs Assessment in Automation and Manufacturing - GJU Series in Industry Evaluations and Technologies, German-Jordanian University press, 2006. M. Sabbarini, R. Faouri, S. Al-Agtash, L. Khadra, K. Oreifeg, Proceedings of Higher Education Linkage with Industry, Workshop 2005. S. Al-Agtash, A. Fahoum, L. Khadra, F. Khasawneh, Proceedings of Information & Communication Technology, Innovative Partnership - ICT-IPS 2004, Amman-Jordan, 2004. S. Al-Agtash, A. Fahoum, "Computer Based Automated Control System for Plastic Orient Machinery", Report, Higher Council for Science and Technology, December 2003.
Grants and Funded Research Towards a Community of Practice on Open Source, European Commission – Directorate General educational and culture (TEMPUS), €732K, Submitted 2011 Bioinformatics correlation between the natural selection of amino acids and loop folding as a tool for 3D protein structure prediction, Scientific research program, German-Jordanian University, $31K, 2008 Establishing Quality, Relevant and Collaborative Industry-Oriented IT Education, European Commission – – Directorate General educational and culture (TEMPUS), €380K, 2006 Establishing Technology Incubator for Software Development, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, $70K, 2006 SUN Educational Laboratory – Center of Excellence, Sun Microsystems, $33K, 2004. eSolution Development and Implementation Unit, Ministry of Information & Communication Technology, $500K, 2004. Supplementary Funds, the Academic Entrepreneurship Center of Excellence, AMIR– USAID, $20K, 2003. ICT Skill Promotion Program for Female Students, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – Japan, $15K, 2003. Academic Entrepreneurship Center of Excellence, Higher Education Development Fund – World Bank, $100K, 2002. Computer Based Automated Control System for Plastic Orient Machinery, Higher Council for Science and Technology - Jordan, $20K, 2001.Software Architecture for Modelling Competitive Power Systems: Scientific Research Deanship – Yarmouk University, $18K, 1999.
Technical Projects & Consultation A. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization » Institutional development and technical consulting for the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) to implement, manage and extend sustainable Pan-Arab e-Infrastructures dedicated for the Research and Education communities and to boost scientific research and cooperation in member countries through the provision of world-class e-Infrastructures and E-services. Involved in several development FP7 projects funded by the European Commission: o CHAIN-REDs (December 2012 - ): Extending efforts of CHAIN for the Coordinating and Harmonization of Advanced e-Infrastructure towards leveraging
the experience of several e-Infrastructure projects and initiatives
addressing various regions of the world, with focus on harmonized and
optimized interaction model for e-infrastructure. o EUMEDCONNECT (February 2010 – ): Providing regional high-bandwidth dedicated research and education network for Seven Arab Mediterranean Countries connecting to Europe and globally. o EUMEDGRID Support (January 2011 - ): Increasing stakeholder and community awareness on the use of e-Infrastructure at Universities and research center in the Mediterranean region. o CHAIN (August 2011 - ): Coordinating and leveraging the experience of several e-Infrastructure projects and initiatives addressing various regions of the world, with focus on harmonized and optimized interaction model for e-infrastructure. o EPIKH (August 2011 - ): Re-enforcing interaction between research, education, and innovation as drivers on a knowledge-based society through the adoption and use of Grid and e-infrastructure training to increase the number of users and scientific applications on these platforms. » Management consulting and operations of the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education (AROQA) to carry out Pan-Arab quality assurance and accreditation activities in education and contributing to academic excellence and innovation » Management consulting of the Turkish Arab Renaissance projects framework » Contributing to the UN-GAID — Community of Expertise on ICTs in Education, and to the Global Partner Framework on Education for All in the Digital Age, with a mission to create a continuous dialogue and coordination process among stakeholders on Education to empower ICT and support academic activities and services through ICTs in the global context. » Contributing to the United Nations Secretary-General’s “500/12” Initiative and leading Microsoft MAR cooperation and initiative implementation in the Arab region » Establishing ICT academy at TAG-Org in collaboration with Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Cisco, and Oracle » Leading TAGI TOP initiative and Computer refurbishment activities towards a broader and more inclusive information society in the Arab region » Membership in: o ICC - BASIS (international Chamber of Commerce - Business Action to Support the Information Society) o UN-GAID (Global Alliance for ICT and Development) o EBITT (ICC Commission on E-Business, IT, and Telecoms) Task Force on Internet and Telecoms Infrastructure and Services (ITIS) o EBITT Task Force on Security and Authentication o UN Global Compact- Principles for Responsible Management Education
B. German-Jordanian University » Founding dean of the school of informatics and computing with three departments: computer engineering – software systems; computer engineering – embedded systems; and computer science » Setting up the school educational structure with a mission to convey a modern learning atmosphere, by: o Integrating and applying knowledge in Informatics and Computing, while ensuring excellence of education and providing a superior learning experience for students, through dedicated teaching, research, and creative work. o Promoting exchange of people and intercultural communication between Germany and Jordan o Maintaining a community of scholars devoted to quality education, advancement of science, and to the well-being of future generations. » Leading curricula development efforts in coordination with the IT – network in Germany. » Recruiting highly qualified faculty members with strong academic qualifications and potential industrial experience » Establishing an IT – network with 7 German Universities and 2 European Universities, an industry advisory board, and several partnerships with the ICT industry in Jordan » Setting up processes and procedures for admission, student advising, course profile development, examination and evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance » Founding director of the Center of Information Systems & Technology o Leading the design and implementation of the University network, IT infrastructure: operations architecture, processes, networking, router, PIX firewall o Leading the establishment of the University Data center – with Server farm including blade servers running Domain Controller, ISA server, Web, Email, SQL Database, Mail filter, Web Filter o Leading the design and implementation of an in-house Student Information System with limited functionality– web-based registration, grading, online student information, and more. o Building and maintaining an infrastructure that ensures high availability, redundancy, performance, and quality of service o Identifying application portfolios and technology solutions that align with specific academic needs o Creating a roadmap to implement technology solutions; define IT architecture, processes, and operations; allow economies of scale in terms of purchasing software and hardware and in terms of staff skills; prevent incompatibilities; and enforce emerging technologies to be embraced in a controlled and strategic manner. o Launching an electronic educational platform that provides a University portal to integrate both academic and administrative services for all disciplines. o Equipping classrooms with state-of-the-art technology including desktop computers, display screens and smart computing o Establishing heterogeneous computing facilities based on Windows, Linux and Unix platforms. o Establishing a high-bandwidth network infrastructure that supports wireless communication and fast Ethernet desktop connections to all laboratories, classrooms, and offices. o Authoring and designing the information architecture of the University Web site.
C. Yarmouk University » Founding director of the Entrepreneurship Center of Excellence » Establishing the Entrepreneurship Center of Excellence — an in-campus industry zone focused on facilitating collaboration between academia and industry to better serve the ICT (Information & Communication Technology) sector needs and contribute to the national shift towards a stronger knowledge economy. » Introducing a working environment infrastructure for professors and students to better enhance understanding of workplace interactions, team work, and technical skills, and to increase knowledge and awareness about latest developments in the ICT-related fields. » Soliciting incubation of nine specialized national and international ICT companies: MB Risk management, Computer &Communication Systems, SavvyTek, Integrated Technology Group, Eskadenia Software Solutions, Future Applied Computer Technology, AIM Wireless, MobileCom, and Mansour. » Establishing specialized IT training services including networking, Sun Solaris administration, Sun Java, and soft skills. » Project Leader and Senior Member of Technical Staff, Savvytek Incubator, Yarmouk University, with responsibilities on o setting up of government e-service environment - in cooperation with Gartner consulting, o Architecture and design of Government e-services using J2EE technologies, Requirement analysis for setting up an IT strategy for Jordan Investment Board o Developing application processing service electronically » Chairman of the Department of Computer Engineering, with main contributions on: o Renovating the Computer Engineering Department's curriculum in compliance with ACM-IEEE computing curricula guidelines o Instituting a new internship program that includes an entrepreneurship thrust o Initiating academic programs at the graduate level in industrial automation and embedded systems » Establishing an “eSolution Development Unit” with an objective to build Yarmouk University capacity and expertise to develop and deploy top-quality e-solutions according to international and best practices standards. » Establishing a training center for Skill Promotion of Female Students in cooperation with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to help undergraduate and graduate female students acquire special professional skills » Strengthening a tri-partite relationship between the academic sector, the private sector, and the public sector, to consolidate, integrate, and unify effort towards achieving better academic-industry collaborations.
D. Computer and Communication Systems, Inc. » Technical evaluation and supervision of a number of projects on Student Management Information Systems (SMIS) » Supervised design and development of several SMIS modules: registration, academic grading, graduate admissions, and basic information systems. » Leading redesign efforts of SMIS using the component-based approach that separates presentation, business and data layers for ease of design, development, assembly, maintenance, and deployment. The design follows a multi-tiered distributed application model to allow for more features: reusable components, a unified security model, flexible transaction control, and Web-based services.Introducing enhancements on SMIS to cover academic advising, business intelligence and decision making Modules
