Research Smarter, Not Harder AI Tools for Academics

The Professional Development Committee (PDC) of Engineering, UTAS–Nizwa, in collaboration with the PDC team of the Department of Supporting Requirements, organized a online workshop titled “Research Smarter, Not Harder: AI Tools for Academics” on 17th February 2026. The session was delivered by Dr. Hytham Elbohy, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Supporting Requirements at UTAS–Nizwa. Dr. Fakrudeen, PDC Team Coordinator of the Engineering Department, served as the moderator for the session.

The program commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Shaista Khanam, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Supporting Requirements. The resource person was formally introduced to the participants by Mr. Taufeeq Ahmed, a member of the Engineering Department’s PDC team.

In an era of exponential data growth, the ability to navigate the vast sea of scientific literature is a vital skill for any academics. The session was designed to empower researchers and faculty members by integrating cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence into their existing workflows, moving beyond simple chat bots to sophisticated, purpose-built research ecosystems. The workshop provided a deep dive into several transformative tools that are redefining discovery and synthesis. By the conclusion of the workshop, participants gained a strategic framework for using these tools ethically and efficiently. As the Department of Supporting Requirements and Engineering Department continues to foster academic excellence, Dr. Elbohy’s session serves as a roadmap for leveraging AI to reduce the administrative burden of research, allowing scholars to spend more time on what matters most: innovation and discovery.

The session ended with vote of thanks by Mr.Prashant, member of engineering PDC team.

Writeup by: Dr. Hytham Elbohy