
Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom is a Professor of Computer Engineering and Vice President for Institutional Development and Global Rankings at Yarmouk University, Jordan. With degrees from Virginia Tech, Arizona State University, and Yarmouk University, he is a senior IEEE member and active in numerous global academic and professional organizations. Dr. Otoom has held several leadership roles at Yarmouk University, including Dean of the Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology and Director of the International Relations Office.
His research focuses on assistive technologies, embedded systems, and health decision support systems, leveraging IoT and machine learning. He has led and participated in over a dozen major international projects (EU, DAAD, US Embassy), securing over $1 million in funding and expanding academic and research infrastructure. In addition to coordinating over 100 Erasmus+ and Mevlana mobility programs, Dr. Otoom has supported scholarships for more than 130 students. He also serves as an evaluator for national and international funding bodies and is a certified program accreditor by Jordan's Higher Education Accreditation Commission.
Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom is a distinguished academic leader and Professor of Computer Engineering at Yarmouk University (YU), Jordan, where he currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Development and Global Rankings. He also represents YU in the U.S.-Jordan University Cooperation Network (UCN/Rawabit).
Dr. Otoom earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, M.S. from Arizona State University, and B.S. from Yarmouk University, all in Computer Engineering. A senior member of IEEE and a member of ACM and other international and regional academic networks, he actively contributes to the advancement of higher education and engineering education globally. He has held prominent positions such as Dean of the Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology and Director of the International Relations and Projects Office, among several other administrative roles.
His early research in embedded systems focused on reimagining computing for multicore mobile platforms. A personal encounter inspired him to shift toward socially impactful research, leading to his current focus on assistive technologies, IoT-enabled systems, and AI-based health decision support. He has co-founded the Embedded Systems and Assistive Technology Lab and published extensively in Scopus-indexed journals.
Dr. Otoom has played a central role in securing and leading a variety of high-impact international projects, including Erasmus+ CBHE, DAAD, RAEng, the U.S. State Department, and others. His efforts have resulted in over $1 million in equipment procurement, establishment of innovation labs and technology transfer offices, and the training and mobility of hundreds of students and staff.
He has coordinated more than 100 Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility and 20 Mevlana programs, and has secured full master's scholarships for over 130 students through the Edu-Syria initiatives. In his capacity as evaluator, he contributes to national and international funding decisions, and is a certified program evaluator by Jordan’s Higher Education Accreditation Commission.
A recognized thought leader in engineering education and international cooperation, Dr. Otoom continues to shape the future of education and research through a blend of academic rigor, technological innovation, and strategic institutional leadership.