Osama Yousuf, HUTOPS scholar and alumnus from the Computer Science Class of 2020, successfully defended his PhD dissertation at George Washington University. As he wraps up his doctoral journey in May, Osama, at 26, completed his PhD in just four years! His work in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Systems and his time at GWU are a testament to his resilience and ambition. Osama recalls his time before joining Habib University, when his ability to communicate openly and comfortably felt like a barrier to expression and contribution. Now, he looks back with admiration for the support and community he found at the University that gave him the confidence to express himself and shape his goals.
This is his story.
Early Challenges and HUTOPS Program
Osama, as a young academic prodigy, was always fascinated by technology in his childhood. He was particularly drawn to how computers worked. Before entering Habib University, he faced the challenge of funding his undergraduate studies. Financial barriers are a significant concern for many talented students in Pakistan aspiring to receive quality higher education. After graduating from Sir Adamjee Institute, Osama applied to Habib University through the HUTOPS program. This initiative, designed to identify brilliant students from National Boards in Pakistan, offers 100% financial security. Osama successfully gained admission in 2020, and with the generous support from HUTOPS, he was able to fully immerse himself in Habib University’s exceptional undergraduate education and global exposure.
A childhood photo of Osama.
Osama was thrilled as he could now focus on giving his best to his academic life. He recalls,
“The day I found out that I was accepted into Habib as an HU TOPS scholar was one of the most memorable days of my life. With the assurance that my education was secure, I could fully dedicate myself to my coursework, explore extracurricular activities, and make the most of my university experience. With this stability, I was able to immerse myself in coursework, take on leadership roles in student organizations, and fully engage with Habib’s intellectually enriching environment.”
Osama at lunch with the President of Habib University, Mr. Wasif Rizvi, and various guests at Texas A&M University.
Discovering Passion for AI at Habib University
Before attending Habib University, Osama excelled in his studies, believing that was what he had to do. But Habib gave him a direction, a purpose, and a refined goal. Upon starting as an Electrical Engineering major, he felt drawn to Computer Science as Habib’s interdisciplinary curriculum allowed him to take courses from various disciplines, particularly those in the Computer Science program.
He realized what he was truly passionate about.
“I think Habib is one of those places where you will truly find inspiration and discover what it is that you want to do in life. Be open to it and embrace it,” he says. From there, his interest in AI and Deep Learning began, eventually leading him to start his PhD in the same area.
Osama presenting at an HU TOPS information session for his high school Sir Adamjee Institute.
Influential Mentors and Courses
Dr. Saleha Raza’s courses, particularly Computational Thinking and Computational Intelligence – two courses offered in the Artificial Intelligence stream of the program – inspired him to delve into the field and taught him to think critically about algorithms and their broader implications. He enjoyed Dr. Raza’s teaching as it emphasized “deep conceptual thinking.” An innovative educator with a PhD in Computer Science from IBA, Dr. Raza was awarded the Australian Endeavor Scholarship, allowing her to visit the Quantum Computation and Intelligent System (QCIS) lab at the University of Technology in Australia as a doctoral fellow. At Habib University, she exposes students to the challenging world of AI and Robotics, which helped nurture Osama’s interests in AI and computing systems.
Osama receiving his accolade for appearing on all the Dean’s Lists and the President’s List at Habib University.
Developing Critical Thinking and Ethical Innovation
Thinking critically is a key skill that Osama recalls learning at Habib and has helped him improve his technical research. Today’s computer scientists are ethically driven, critically conscious, and socially responsible. In a rapidly evolving tech industry shaped by global challenges, the program equips students to develop innovative and socially responsible technological solutions that address societal needs. Therefore, a spirit of giving back to the community drives our Computer Scientists forward, and Osama valued this spirit in his work in AI and Intelligent systems and its real-world applications. A liberal arts education imbues Habib University students with strong ethical innovation skills paired with their interdisciplinary major. The Habib Liberal Core provides students with a unique learning experience. Osama took Rhetoric and Communication, a first-year course designed to identify different aspects of expression and develop essential skills in writing and communication.
“It challenged me to think critically about knowledge, ethics, and reasoning – skills that have proven to be invaluable in my research on AI and Intelligent systems. The ability to construct clear arguments, analyze different perspectives, and communicate complex ideas effectively has greatly influenced how I approach problem-solving,” he said.
Osama with his Habib University cohort representing Habib University at Stanford through Habib’s Learn Abroad program.
Continuing the Journey: PhD and Beyond
Osama, after passing his dissertation defense at George Washington University (L to R): Dr. Matthew W. Daniels (NIST), Dr. Gina C. Adam (GWU), Me, Dr. Martin Lueker-Boden (Western Digital), Dr. Nan Wu (GWU).
With these essential capabilities, Osama believes Habib University has shaped how he engages with the world around him. Taking these valuable lessons ahead, Osama embarked on his PhD in Computer Engineering, which was different from his undergraduate years but was nonetheless resilient. An intellectually curious Osama persevered through his daunting time and successfully defended his PhD on January 30, 2025, receiving high praise.
His PhD dissertation focuses on accelerating artificial neural networks, a key driver behind recent AI breakthroughs, by leveraging neuromorphic computing and in-memory computing architectures, specifically memristors. Memristors are non-volatile memory devices that can store and process information simultaneously, enabling faster, more energy-efficient AI operations. “These architectures directly address the inefficiencies of conventional systems like CPUs and GPUs, which are hindered by memory bottlenecks. I develop robust neural network algorithms to solve the challenges preventing these architectures from being adapted to mainstream AI workloads,” explained Osama.
Moreover, he has published a paper in Nature Communications that proposes a novel fault-tolerance scheme for mitigating issues in memristor-based neural networks. He recalls that the publication process was rigorous, involving extensive experiments, multiple revisions, and peer reviews.
“Leading this and similar projects throughout my PhD has been an immensely rewarding experience, teaching me the value of precision, persistence, and collaboration in scientific research,” he recounts.
Osama inside the lab at George Washington University, working with Daffodil – a hardware platform for evaluating resistive neural networks.
With an impressive repertoire of 10+ publications, presentations, and patents in top-tier journals and conferences, Osama is a true testament to the power of commitment and a well-rounded education that nurtures potential to the fullest.
“I would advise new students to take advantage of research opportunities early on—Habib’s small class sizes allow you to work closely with professors. Engage in interdisciplinary learning, as AI is a rapidly evolving field that greatly benefits from knowledge in philosophy, ethics, and social sciences. Finally, participate in internships and exchange programs, as they provide invaluable global exposure and hands-on experience,” he shared.
