Thamar University Concludes the Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Emerging Smart Technologies and Their Applications (eSmarTA-2026) with Notable Success

▫️Thamar University | Jamal Al-Bahri | Safar 21, 1448. August 5, 2026

◼️In an exceptional scientific milestone that reflects the growing standing of Thamar University on the national, regional, and international maps of higher education and scientific research, and coinciding with the university's advancement across various global rankings of universities and academic institutions, the proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Emerging Smart Technologies and Their Applications (eSmarTA-2026) were concluded today at the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology.

The conference spanned two days of intensive scientific sessions and specialized research discussions, bringing together an elite cohort of academics, researchers, and experts from within the Republic of Yemen and abroad, representing one of the largest specialized scientific events hosted by the university in the fields of smart technologies and artificial intelligence.

Organized by the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at Thamar University, in partnership with Yemen Research Foundation, the conference constituted a prominent scientific landmark in the university's trajectory not solely in terms of domestic and international participation but also with regard to the standard of organization, the quality of scientific outputs, and the breadth of topics addressed throughout its sessions. These aspects garnered widespread acclaim from official and academic leadership as well as participating researchers, all of whom affirmed that the university had presented an advanced institutional model in the management and coordination of international scientific conferences.

The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of Professor Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Hassan Al-Haifi, the Rector of Thamar University, Dr. Abdulkafi Al-Rifai, the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Professor Dr. AbdulKarim Zabiba, the Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Adel Abdulghani Al-Ansi, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr. Essam Wasel, the Rector's Assistant for Centers Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Hutrum, the General Secretary of the University, alongside Professor Dr. Bashir Al-Maqaleh, the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology; faculty leadership, department heads, teaching staff, representatives of Yemen Research Foundation, and several representatives from the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, most notably Dr. Fouad Abdulrazzaq, the Executive Director of the Information Technology Center at the ministry. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of sponsoring national companies and institutions, along with a large assembly of researchers, students, and stakeholders.

The success of the conference was not confined to its two days of proceedings but was the culmination of months of preparation, coordination, and institutional effort led by Thamar University, under the direct guidance and follow-up of the university's leadership represented by Professor Dr. Mohammed Al-Haifi, and through the integrated efforts of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, alongside the scientific, organizational, media, technical, financial, and logistical committees, ensuring that the conference was presented at a standard befitting the university's name and academic mission.

From its outset, the conference reaffirmed its scientific mission aimed at establishing an international platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange in the domains of smart technologies, by attracting researchers and experts, and presenting the latest studies and innovations in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, smart communications, software engineering, and other fields that represent the cornerstones of digital transformation and the knowledge-based economy.

The conference further reflected Thamar University's vision of engaging with global scientific experiences, bridging scientific research with societal needs, expanding academic partnerships, and enhancing the presence of Yemeni researchers on international publishing platforms, through the acceptance of research papers for publication in IEEE Xplore and indexing in the Scopus database an added scientific value for both the conference and its participating researchers.

As the university views scientific research as a cornerstone of development and future-building, the organization of this conference aligns with its strategic orientation toward supporting innovation, encouraging applied research, and fostering an academic environment capable of accommodating rapid technological advancements, thereby reinforcing the university's role in serving society and contributing to the construction of a knowledge-based digital economy.

The success of the Sixth International Conference on Emerging Smart Technologies and Their Applications (eSmarTA-2026) was not merely a product of high-level official attendance or distinguished organization; it was more evidently reflected in the scientific caliber of its sessions and the volume of research participation it attracted from various universities and academic and research institutions within and beyond Yemen. This has cemented its status as one of the most prominent specialized scientific conferences in smart technologies at the national level, and as one of Yemen's scientific windows open to the international research community.

Over the two-day conference, the Palestine Conference Hall and the venues of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at Thamar University hosted twelve specialized scientific sessions, organized in a hybrid participation format combining in-person attendance and remote participation via videoconferencing. This enabled researchers from various countries to present and discuss their work in an interactive scientific environment characterized by academic rigor, offering a broad space for scholarly dialogue and expertise exchange.

The research papers were distributed across several specialized scientific tracks corresponding to major global trends in computer science and information technology, foremost among them: artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, big data analytics, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, intelligent systems, cloud computing, computer vision, software engineering, smart communications, as well as industrial, medical, and educational applications of modern technologies.

The conference witnessed remarkable research interest, with the scientific committee receiving more than three hundred research submissions from researchers affiliated with approximately forty countries. This reflects the standing the conference has achieved within international academic circles and the growing confidence in the scientific caliber attained by Thamar University and its Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology in organizing peer-reviewed conferences.

All submitted research underwent rigorous peer-review processes in accordance with internationally recognized standards, involving a distinguished panel of specialized reviewers and experts to ensure the quality and scientific value of the research outputs. This process resulted in the acceptance of ninety-six research papers that met the requirements for scientific publication, reflecting the high level of academic competition and commitment to quality and excellence in research.

The peer-review procedures constituted one of the conference's foremost strengths, as the scientific committees adhered to the highest standards of integrity and objectivity, thereby enhancing confidence in the conference's outputs and providing researchers with a robust scientific platform for disseminating their work.

This is an approach that Dhamar University has consistently maintained across all previous editions of the conference, contributing to the consolidation of its academic reputation year after year.

In a scientific achievement that further enhances the research value of the conference, it was decided to publish accepted scientific papers in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, with indexing in the Scopus international database. This affords researchers the opportunity to disseminate their scholarly output to the global academic community and underscores the conference's commitment to international standards of peer-reviewed scientific publication.

The conference extended beyond the mere presentation of research papers, serving as a genuine platform for knowledge exchange and the cultivation of academic relationships. Researchers were afforded the opportunity to explore the latest global trends in smart technologies, thereby enhancing the quality of scientific research and encouraging the establishment of joint research projects among universities and scientific institutions.

The extensive international participation underscored the global dimension the conference has attained, affirming Thamar University's capacity to attract researchers and experts from diverse academic and cultural environments and to provide a scientific platform enjoying trust and respect. This represents a qualitative addition to the university's record and achievements in scientific research, confirming that investment in knowledge and innovation has become an entrenched institutional choice within its academic orientations.

At the conclusion of the scientific sessions, participants unanimously agreed that the conference was not merely an occasion for presenting research papers but constituted a scientific space for exchanging visions, envisioning the future of smart technologies, and strengthening collaboration among universities, research centers, and both the public and private sectors, in service of the digital transformation trajectory and sustainable development in Yemen and the region.

Beyond its scientific success, the conference embodied an advanced model of institutional partnership between the university, research institutions, and the private sector. Thamar University demonstrated that the construction of international scientific conferences is not predicated solely on academic effort but on the integration of roles among various partners and supporting entities a reality clearly reflected in the standard achieved by the sixth edition of the conference.

From the earliest stages of preparation, Thamar University, in partnership with Yemen Research Foundation, worked to formulate a comprehensive scientific and organizational vision for the conference. This yielded substantial research participation, the administration of the peer-review process in accordance with precise scientific standards, and the professional organization of scientific sessions, thereby strengthening the conference's academic value and consolidating its position among researchers and stakeholders in smart technologies.

In this context, Dr. Radhwan Shaddad, the Rector of Yemen Research Foundation, commended the organizational and scientific standards demonstrated by Thamar University, affirming that the university had presented an exemplary model in the management of international scientific events. He emphasized that the success achieved reflects the university's qualified academic and administrative personnel, capable of organizing conferences that meet global standards.

Dr. Shaddad further announced the launch of the specialized scientific journal Journal of Innovative Information and Communication Technology (JIICT), which will serve as a new platform for publishing specialized research in the fields of information and communication technology.

He noted that the distinguished research presented at the conference would constitute an important scientific resource for the journal, thereby contributing to the advancement of scientific publishing and the expansion of the dissemination of the conference's outputs.

This step represented one of the qualitative outcomes of the conference, as its outputs were not limited to discussion sessions and research presentations but extended to reinforcing the scientific publication ecosystem and opening new avenues for researchers to publish their work in specialized scholarly venues serving Yemeni researcher and enhancing their presence within the international academic community.

Within the framework of strengthening academic partnerships, the conference witnessed the signing of two scientific cooperation agreements between Thamar University and both the University of 21 September for Medical and Applied Sciences and Jibla University for Medical and Health Sciences. This move reflects the university's orientation toward expanding its institutional network with Yemeni universities, activating collaboration in the fields of scientific research, postgraduate studies, expertise exchange, and the implementation of joint programs.

These agreements received broad acclaim from participants, given their importance in building sustainable partnerships among higher education institutions, enhancing academic integration, exchanging scientific expertise, and contributing to the advancement of education and research quality while supporting the development of a more collaborative and open university system.

The university also did not overlook the recognition of its success partners who contributed to the conference's distinguished presentation. The closing ceremony featured the honoring of sponsoring and supporting entities, prominently including YOU Company, TeleYemen, Yemen Mobile, and CAC Bank, in appreciation of their contributions to supporting the conference and ensuring its success. Yemen Research Foundation was also honored as the organizing partner, along with several researchers who won awards for best scientific papers, as well as the scientific, organizational, media, technical, logistical, and financial committees.

The recognition ceremonies highlighted the scale of institutional work that preceded the conference's convening and the sustained efforts exerted by the various committees in preparation, organization, and follow-up. All phases of the conference from the reception of scientific submissions to the closing session were executed with precision and discipline, as reflected in the testimonials and commendations expressed by participants and guests.

The Rector of Thamar University, Professor Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Hassan Al-Haifi, extended his special thanks and appreciation to the Deanship of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, headed by Professor Dr. Bashir Al-Maqaleh, and to all members of the scientific, review, organizational, and media committees, commending the team spirit that prevailed throughout the work and contributed to the achievement of the conference's objectives and the university's distinguished presentation befitting its history and academic standing.

The University Rector affirmed that the success achieved does not represent the conclusion of a scientific event but rather the commencement of a new phase of work on the implementation of the conference's recommendations, the strengthening of research collaboration, and the direction of study outputs toward community service in line with the university's vision of building a knowledge-productive scientific environment capable of contributing to the digital transformation and sustainable development trajectory.

In response, Professor Dr. Bashir Al-Maqaleh, the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology and President of the Conference, expressed his profound gratitude to Thamar University's leadership for its unwavering support of the conference.

He commended the pivotal role undertaken by Yemen Research Foundation, the sponsoring entities, and all working committees, affirming that what had been achieved was the product of collective work and institutional collaboration, and that the conference's success represents a responsibility motivating all to continue building and developing in future editions.

The conference proceedings concluded with an honoring ceremony reflecting the significant appreciation that Thamar University extended to all those who contributed to the success of this international scientific event. The university's leadership and organizing committee honored a number of dignitaries, institutions, and supporting entities that played a prominent role in the conference's success, foremost among them, the conference patron, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Meftah, the Acting Prime Minister, Mr. Hassan Abdullah Al-Saadi, the Minister of Education and Scientific Research, Engineer Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mahdi, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Mr. Mohammed Nasser Al-Bukhaiti, the Governor of Dhamar Governorate, the businessman Mr. Mohammed Abdu Dadiah, the General Mobilization Officer in the Governorate, Mr. Ahmed Hussein Al-Dourani, the Deputy Governor of Dhamar, Mr. Ahmed Ali Al-Dourani; and the General Director of the Public Telecommunications Corporation Branch in Dhamar Governorate, Engineer Fouad Ahmed Ali Al-Qawas.

The honoring also extended to the conference's keynote speakers, Engineer Mishal Ali Thabit and Dr. Sharaf Abdulhaq Al-Hamdi, in recognition of their scientific papers and specialized insights that enriched the conference sessions and contributed to the advancement of scholarly discussion on the latest applications of smart technologies.

Thamar University similarly honored the sponsoring and supporting entities, prominently including Yemeni-Omani United Telecommunications Company (YOU) as the official sponsor, the Public Corporation for Wired and Wireless Communications as the diamond sponsor, alongside Yemen Mobile, the Cooperative and Agricultural Credit Bank (CAC Bank), and TeleYemen, in appreciation of their contributions to supporting the conference and ensuring the success of its activities, and in reinforcing the partnership between the university and both the public and private sectors in support of scientific research and innovation.

The ceremony also featured the honoring of Professor Dr. Bashir Mohammed Al-Maqaleh, the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, in recognition of his efforts in chairing the conference and overseeing its organization, alongside the honoring of the Yemen Research Foundation as the organizing partner, in acknowledgment of its pivotal role in preparation, coordination, and organization, which contributed to the conference's scientific and organizational excellence reflecting the academic standing of Thamar University.

Reaffirming the university's commitment to fostering a culture of gratitude and recognition, the organizing committee announced that the honoring of the scientific, organizational, media, technical, financial, and logistical committees, along with all personnel who worked behind the scenes to ensure the conference's success, would be conducted at a special ceremony at the beginning of the following week, in appreciation of their exceptional efforts that contributed to this success.