ABOUT
I am a Computer Scientist and Digital Transformation Consultant with over 13 years of experience in the field of Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology. I hold a Bachelor and a Master degree in Computer Science, in addition to several professional certificates like CEH, CISA, PMP, and MIT Sloan Blockchain Technologies and Application Certificate from MIT, USA.
Furthermore, I extensively worked on computing research and R&D projects including topics but not limited to Autonomous Computing, Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies, Computer Security, Parallel Processing, Database Systems, and Semantic Web. I published several papers in international academic journals and proceedings, and currently I am writing my first book on Cybersecurity that will be published and released in January 2023.
I have a considerable teaching experience in the academia as I have taught part-time courses in local universities and colleges. I lectured courses such as Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Web Development, Database Systems, Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies & Smart Contracts, Computer Security, Project Management, and Management Information Systems.
Moreover, I have a decade of experience with the United Nations as I was appointed as a Senior Software Engineer at UNDP-OMSAR, Beirut, Lebanon for 5 years. I worked on and managed dozens of IT projects under the UNDP development program as technical consultant, senior software engineer, and digital transformation consultant.
Digital Transformation Consultant
- Phone: +961 3 008159
- City: Beirut - Lebanon
- Email: [email protected]
REASEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
Founding member & Active Computer Science Researcher at the Lebanese Association for Computational Sciences (LACSC).
Conducting scientific research, deliver education sessions, and provide consultancy services in the field of Blockchain Technology and Computer Science in general.
LACSC is officially registered by the governmental decree No. 957, 2011, by the Ministry of Interior, Beirut, Lebanon.
Website:
http://www.lacsc.org, Email:
[email protected]
Publications
Paul Semaan
Refereed Published Journal Papers (Total 5):
Paul Semaan, "Natural Language Generation: An Overview", Journal of Computer Science & Research, eISSN: 2227-328X, Vol. 1, No. 3, 2012.
Paul Semaan, "WiMAX Security: Problems & Solutions", Journal of Computer Science & Research, eISSN: 2227-328X, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2012.
Youssef Bassil, Paul Semaan "Autonomic Model for Self-Configuring C#.NET Applications", International Journal of Research Studies in Computing, eISSN: 2243-7797, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2012.
Youssef Bassil, Paul Semaan "Semantic-Sensitive Web Information Retrieval Model for HTML Documents", European Journal of Scientific Research, eISSN: 1450-202X, Vol. 69, No. 5, 2012.
Youssef Bassil, Paul Semaan "ASR Context-Sensitive Error Correction Based on Microsoft N-Gram Dataset", Journal of Computing, eISSN: 2151-9617, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2012.
Education
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Bachelor and Master of Science in Computer Science
Won First Prize and Best Master Computer Science Project Award in the AUST 7th Annual Engineering and Computer Science Project Exhibition, 2011.
MIT School of Management (Blockchain Technologies - Business Innovation and Application)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
https://mitsloan.credential.getsmarter.com
Project Management Institute (PMI)
PMP - Project Management Professional
https://www.pmi.org/certifications
Coursera, University of Virginia
Digital Transformation
https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishmentsProfessional Experience
Digital Transformation Consultant
December 2020 - Present
Enrolled in the UNDP Crisis Bureau Experts Roster. Consequently, I was chosen to work on several short term and mid-term projects, and below is a summary of my duties and responsibilities:
- Ensure effective project management of the assigned projects and maintain the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, and administrative outputs, while tracking the projects' progress through monitoring, evaluating, and reporting.
- Provide strategic advice on using and integrating digital solutions to achieve required objectives.
- Support country offices in start implementing digital transformation strategy by enhancing operating and business models and leveraging emerging technology.
- Develop terms of reference related to information technology projects.
- Provide technical advice, assessment, and expert support in the preparation of concepts, work documents, information systems, e-services, applications development architecture, database management architecture, etc.
- Lead technical meetings and workshops including but not limited to digital transformation.
Administrator/Senior Software Engineer
July 2015 - November 2020
UNDP - OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM (OMSAR)
- Administer the online presence of the governmental entities and public agencies.
- Manage and monitor Information Technology and Digital Transformation related projects.
- Contribute to the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility.
- Develop system design and functional specifications for all new development projects.
- Coordinate with applications owners, beneficiaries, and hosting providers to continually improve applications functionalities, and to ensure availability and sustainability.
- Ensure Quality Assurance Management Action Plans are well designed and implemented and that proper effective controls are in place.
Part Time Instructor
October 2011 - March 2021
MIDDLE EAST UNIVERSITY (MEU)
ARTS, SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY IN LEBANON (AUL)
Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA)
I Have taught the below courses:
Web Programming, Computer Programming, Software Engineering, Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies & Smart Contracts, Project Management, Computer Security, Networking, Data Structures, Database Systems, Data Mining, and Management Information Systems.
Developer Expert
August 2010 - February 2011 and June 2014 - June 2015
UNDP - Regional Bureau For Arab States (RBAS)
- Provide technical assessment, feedback and recommendations related to the development of several portals in the Arab Region.
- Monitor applications development.
- Control the development effort and prepare progress reports.
- Plan and conduct initial application QA and testing.
- Develop project status and progress reports.
Gallery
Interviews, Interventions, & Articles
- Is the "Web 3" the future of the Internet? What is the importance of decentralization, privacy, and digital security in this technology? For more on this topic with Nancy Tabet on Sky News Arabia.
- Interview with Chantal Assi at Al Joumhouria TV about the problems and solutions in the technology sector
- Intervention Dr. Habib Zoghbi on the importance of awareness and education before trading in Cryptocurrencies
- Joining UNDP YLP panel and explaining the impact of Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrencies in the financial sector
- Article in Al Joumhouria Newspaper explaining NFT and investment in it
- Contribution in Al Joumhouria article on Cryptocurrency basic wallets and management
Book
Currently writing my first book on Cybersecurity that will be published and released in January 2023.