ICBEP 2016

Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speaker I

Prof. Wenbing Zhao

Wenbing Zhao received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2002. Dr. Zhao has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1990, and a Master of Science degree in Physics in 1993, both at Peking University, Beijing, China. Dr. Zhao also received a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1998 at University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Zhao joined Cleveland State University (CSU) faculty in 2004 and is currently a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at CSU. He is currently serving as the director of the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, and the Chair of the Graduate Program Committee in the Department of EECS, and a member of the faculty senate at CSU. Dr. Zhao has authored a research monograph titled: “Building Dependable Distributed Systems” published by Scrivener Publishing, an imprint of John Wiley and Sons. Furthermore, Dr. Zhao published over 120 peer-reviewed papers in the area of fault tolerant and dependable systems (three of them won the best paper award), computer vision and motion analysis, physics, and education. Dr. Zhao’s research is supported in part by the US National Science Foundation, the US Department of Transportation, Ohio State Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, and by Cleveland State University. Dr. Zhao is currently serving on the organizing committee and the technical program committee for numerous international conferences, and is a member of editorial board for PeerJ Computer Science, International Journal of Parallel Emergent and Distributed Systems, International Journal of Distributed Systems and Technologies, International Journal of Performability Engineering, International Journal of Web Science, and several international journals of the International Academy, Research, and Industry Association. Dr. Zhao is a senior member of IEEE. Dr. Zhao is also a senior member of International Economics Development and Research Center (IEDRC).

Keynote Speech Title: Enriching Engineering Curriculum with Courses on Cutting-Edge Technologies

Abstract: In this talk, I will share my experiences in creating and teaching non-traditional courses on cutting-edge computer technologies such as Microsoft Kinect and smart phones.  The primary objective of this effort is to enrich the Electrical and Computer Engineering curriculum by teaching cutting edge computer technologies to keep our programs current and exciting to students. These courses differ from traditional Electrical and Computer Engineering courses both in the content covered and in the way it was taught. These courses cover both fundamental computer technologies (such as computer vision, inertial sensing, and object-oriented design) that made these technologies possible as well as the rich Application Programming Interfaces provided by the respective software development kit. Furthermore, these courses consist of both traditional lecture-based instructions and active learning components with lab exercises and team-based projects. These courses offer students an opportunity to practice real-world software engineering as well as solving multidisciplinary problems.

Keynote Speaker II

Prof. John M. Nichols
Texas A&M University, USA

John M. Nichols is an Associate Professor at TAMU in the Construction Science Department. He has a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Newcastle in Australia. He worked for many years for Sinclair Knight Merz as a consulting engineer and worked on the design team for two hospitals .

Keynote Speech Title: Signalling Equilibrium Points in N-Person Games

Abstract: Nash defines the concept of an N-player game in which each player has a finite set of pure strategies and corresponding payments. A series of economic games played over the last twelve years has shown the Reverse Auction Bidding makes an excellent tool to consider the Nash theory. There are many definitions attached to player types starting with the Rational, but in terms of the RAB game three types are defined based solely on returns in the game, an economically efficient, inefficient and average player. There are clear characteristic differences in the playing strategies between the economically efficient and inefficient players. The purpose of this brief paper is to show that the economically efficient players can signal intent in RAB through the bids and affect the direction of the game play as the efficient players seek to move closer to Nash equilibrium. Clearly in a multiplayer game, with economically inefficient players, obtaining Nash equilibrium is not probable, but some come closer than others.

Keynote Speaker III

Dr. Bob Barrett
American Public University, USA

Dr. Bob Barrett received his Ed.D. in the field of Human Resource Development from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. He has done additional studies at Gallaudet University (for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and USDA – Graduate School in Washington, DC, USA and University of Maryland – College Park. He has been teaching online for the past fifteen years. He is a Full Professor in the School of Business at the American Public University and teachings military students in the American Military University. In addition, he is an adjunct instructor with other online MBA programs, as well as a being a course developer and online teacher and trainer. His research interests include online learning, disability, teacher training, knowledge management, HRD Forensics, educational technology, and intellectual capital. His specialization has been concentrated on human and intellectual capital, as well as knowledge management in the context of human resource management and human resource development. While he has been focused on the education of both military and civilian students, he particularly enjoys the teaching of organizational consulting, human resource management, human resource development, and strategic management. Dr. Barrett has worked in the both the private and public sectors, but he has been teaching online for the past fifteen years, in addition to teaching in the Face-to-Face (F2F) sector for several years prior to online teaching. He has spoken extensively at various international conferences in Europe, South America, and Asia. He has served on multiple international conferences in the areas of intellectual capital, knowledge management, human resource management, education and psychology, online learning, business entrepreneurship, educational technology, and management. He has published several book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals in the international context. He is a progressive and forward-thinking professors who strongly believes in lifelong learning, serves as a disability advocate for disability rights in the workplace and education, as well as a strong supporter for a new educational movement for online learning progression. He believes that education is right that all people should have access at all times to continue their lifelong learning quest.