Dr. Sohail Iqbal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Innovative Technologies in Learning at NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS), where he has been teaching and conducting cutting-edge research for over 15 years. He holds a PhD in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Paris-Est, France, and currently serves as the Director of the High-Performance Computing (HPC) Lab at NUST. Over the course of his academic career, he has also served as Head of the Department of Computer Science and Head of the Department of Innovative Technologies in Learning, demonstrating his strong leadership in academia and educational innovation.

Dr. Iqbal’s research encompasses Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Agentic AI Systems, Human–Robot Interaction, Intelligent Control, and Smart Systems. He has successfully led numerous national and international research projects and has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed research publications. His recent work focuses on developing AI-powered educational and research platforms, including NUST’s BaatGPT and the Smart Adaptive Robotic Assistant (SARA), reflecting his commitment to harnessing emerging technologies to transform teaching, learning, and research.

A passionate advocate of technology-enhanced education, Dr. Iqbal actively contributes to the NUST Centre for Teaching and Learning (NCTL) by promoting innovative approaches that make learning more engaging, interactive, and learner-centered.

During this NCTL session, Dr. Iqbal will share practical insights on “Gamification in the Classroom,” demonstrating how game-inspired teaching strategies can increase student engagement, motivation, collaboration, and knowledge retention. Participants will explore the pedagogical foundations of gamification alongside practical tools and techniques that can be readily integrated into higher education classrooms. Through real-world examples and interactive demonstrations, the session will illustrate how thoughtfully designed gamified learning experiences can foster active participation, critical thinking, and meaningful learning outcomes.