In the world of technology and data analytics, there are those who stand out, making waves and inspiring others through their extraordinary achievements. One such individual is Rahat Yasir, a Computer Science and Engineering graduate from Bangladesh, who has taken the world by storm with his expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis.
Rahat currently serves as the Head of Analytics at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), an organization representing 240 airlines worldwide, responsible for 84% of global air passenger transportation. His journey from a computer science enthusiast in Bangladesh to a leader in AI and data analytics in Montreal, Canada, is nothing short of inspiring.
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Rahat Yasir
Rahat Yasir: A Passionate for Computers
From an early age, Rahat harbored a deep interest in computers. As he grew older, well-meaning advice came his way, suggesting fields like electrical engineering or aeronautical engineering. However, Rahat’s heart was set on something that truly fascinated him.
“After passing intermediate from Dhaka College, like many Bangladeshi students, I was unsure about my career path,” Rahat confessed. The burden of indecision weighed on him, as it does on many students. But then, he decided to take a different route—one that aligned with his true passion.
His lifelong interest in computers and programming led him to enroll in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at NorthSouth University, one of Bangladesh’s premier educational institutions. It was the beginning of a remarkable journey.
The Influence of the Microsoft Imagine Cup
Rahat didn’t start his career in data analysis right away. It was the “Microsoft Imagine Cup” during his first year of university that ignited his interest in AI and data analysis. Notably, some of his fellow students from the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) reached the finals of the Imagine Cup and even secured the People’s Choice Award. This experience left an indelible mark on Rahat.
“The first application I built in my life was ‘Project Beetle,’ an agricultural application. That’s when my love for AI and data analytics began,” Rahat reminisces. Their project secured the runner-up position in the Bangladesh round of the Microsoft Imagine Cup. They continued to work on it, receiving numerous awards and even achieving recognition as one of the world’s top ten developers, thanks to published research papers.
Pursuing Excellence Beyond Graduation
Upon graduating from NorthSouth University, Rahat’s journey took an exciting turn. A professor noticed his published research paper, setting the stage for his subsequent endeavors. Rahat embarked on a path that led him to the University of Saskatchewan in Canada for his master’s degree.
He offers a valuable piece of advice to undergraduates: “I believe students should work on a topic during their undergraduate studies that they are passionate about and see potential in for the future.” This advice serves as a guiding principle in his own journey.
Before joining the International Air Transport Association, Rahat worked on AI projects in various renowned global companies. His story highlights the fact that success doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, it requires unwavering dedication and hard work.
The Future of AI in Bangladesh
Rahat holds a positive outlook on the future of AI in Bangladesh. He believes that the country offers abundant opportunities for collecting valuable data, which can drive AI innovations. With AI adoption still in its early stages in Bangladesh, there is immense potential for growth and development in this field.
He emphasizes that user-friendly AI tools like ChatGPT are the result of years of relentless work and dedication. AI, as it stands today, is a solution to addressing the unending volume of work in the world. There’s no need to fear AI or robotics; rather, they provide solutions to challenges.
Diverse Career Opportunities in Computer Science
For those pursuing computer science and engineering, Rahat stresses that the field offers diverse career paths. It’s not limited to coding alone; there are various domains within CSE, including networking, database management, cloud computing, and blockchain technology. Following one’s passion and focusing on one’s chosen career path can lead to success.
The Secret of Success
Rahat’s accomplishments have earned him a place on the “Thirty Under Thirty” list of developers in Canada in 2018. When asked about the secret to his success, he demystifies it. According to him, the key to success lies in persistence, hard work, and a commitment to never stop moving forward.
He advises, “After achieving something, instead of dwelling on it too much, think about what’s next. Stay humble and keep moving forward.”
Rahat Yasir’s remarkable journey includes being honored with Microsoft’s AI MVP Award for nine consecutive years, an achievement that distinguishes him as one of only two MVPs in Canada and one of a hundred worldwide. This is undoubtedly a source of immense pride for the people of Bangladesh.
Giving Back: A Noble Initiative
Rahat’s contributions extend beyond his professional accomplishments. He sponsors a scholarship in computer science at the University of Saskatchewan, providing financial assistance to a student every year, ensuring they can pursue their studies effectively. It’s a noble undertaking that reflects his commitment to education and empowering others.
Experience
Rahat Yasir’s Professional Journey: A Glance at his Diverse Experience
Rahat Yasir’s impressive career trajectory showcases a wealth of experience and expertise in various domains, ranging from data science to AI development. With an illustrious career spanning across multiple organizations and roles, he has consistently demonstrated his proficiency and innovation in the field of technology.
IATA – Head of Data Quality & Analytics (Oct 2023 – Present)
As the Head of Data Quality & Analytics at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Rahat plays a pivotal role in leading AI and analytics initiatives within the Global Aviation Data Management program. His contributions are shaping the future of aviation data management, fostering data-driven decision-making in the aviation industry.
ISAAC Instruments – Director of Data Science & AI/ML (Sep 2021 – Oct 2023)
During his tenure at ISAAC Instruments, Rahat brought his expertise to the world of driver-centric fleet management. He introduced data-driven and AI-powered decision-making capabilities, enhancing the organization’s data analytics and machine learning initiatives.
CAE – Data & AI Platform Architect (Jan 2021 – Sep 2021)
At CAE, a global leader in aviation, aerospace, defense, and healthcare systems, Rahat designed large-scale Data & AI Analytics platforms. His contributions spanned projects across multiple sectors, enabling advancements in data analytics and AI in critical industries.
OSEDEA – Lead AI Developer (Dec 2019 – Jan 2021)
Rahat led AI projects at OSEDEA, guiding initiatives from ideation to infrastructure design, training pipeline development, and production deployment. His focus on the manufacturing industry and automation was instrumental in driving innovative AI solutions.
Intact – AI Developer II (Sep 2018 – Dec 2019)
Rahat’s role at Intact involved designing machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions. He took AI models to production, optimized models, and developed AI production pipelines, contributing to the organization’s AI capabilities.
IMMERSIVE Design Studios – Lead AI Developer (Feb 2018 – Nov 2018)
During his tenure at IMMERSIVE Design Studios, Rahat delved into deep learning, computer vision, and image analysis. He developed applications based on generative adversarial networks, catering to the audiovisual and broadcast industry. His work with large image and video datasets involved storage, processing, and pattern analysis.
University of Saskatchewan – Researcher (Sep 2016 – Feb 2018)
Rahat’s role at the University of Saskatchewan, specifically at the Plant Phenotyping and Imaging Research Center (P2IRC), was marked by groundbreaking work. His research involved designing data-driven multispectral image registration frameworks and applying image-based data analysis, data mining, and machine learning.
Wunderman Production – System Developer (Dec 2015 – Aug 2016)
At Wunderman Production’s subsidiary, SoftwarePeople, Rahat worked on “Marcombox,” a distributed system application for marketing and digital data management. This cloud-based solution leveraged technologies like ASP.NET MVC, Backbone.js, MongoDB, and Node.js.
Aprosoft Consulting and Training Corp. – Software Engineer (May 2014 – Nov 2015)
Rahat’s role at Aprosoft involved the design of SaaS-based chain restaurant management systems and applications for iOS and Apple Watch. His contributions spanned mobile-based client applications for a popular US-based pharmacy application.
BDDEVS – Team Lead (Sep 2013 – Aug 2015)
As a Team Lead at BDDEVS, Rahat was responsible for developing innovative mobile apps for the local Bangladeshi market. His work included software architecture design, the creation of modern UI websites, and participation in research projects.
North South University – Research Assistant (Jan 2013 – May 2014)
Rahat served as a Research Assistant for a North-South University-funded project focused on traffic anomaly detection from live video. This project led to the publication of a research paper at the International Conference on Electronics, Informatics, and Vision (ICIEV 2014).
Rahat Yasir’s extensive and diverse experience is a testament to his versatility, innovation, and commitment to advancing technology and data analytics across multiple industries and sectors. His contributions have consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the world of technology and AI.
Skills
Rahat Yasir possesses a diverse and extensive skill set that spans various domains of software development, computer science, and data analytics. His expertise is highly endorsed and recognized by industry peers and colleagues. Here are some of the key skills and endorsements he has received:
- C#
- Java
- Software Development
- Image Processing
- Computer Science
- Data Analysis
- Statistical Data Analysis
- Statistical Modeling
- C++
- JavaScript
- HTML
- .NET
- PHP
- Matlab
- Android
- ASP.NET MVC
- Python
- MySQL
- Microsoft Technologies
- Windows Azure
- Microsoft Azure
- Azure Machine Learning Studio
- SQL
- Linux
- Windows Phone
- ASP.NET Web API
- PhoneGap
- Digital Image Processing
- Convolutional Neural Network
- Image Registration
- Apache Spark
- Predictive Analytics
- Graph Theory
- Deep Leaning
- System Designing
- Data Governance
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Data Mining
- Data Science
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- TensorFlow
- Cloud Development
- Denodo Platform
- Big Data Analytics
More on Rahat Yasir
Recognitions and Awards
Rahat Yasir’s journey in the world of software development and artificial intelligence (AI) is nothing short of remarkable. In 2018, he was honored as one of Canada’s top 30 software developers under the age of 30, a testament to his exceptional contributions to the field. Moreover, he is a nine-time recipient of the prestigious Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award in the Artificial Intelligence category, solidifying his expertise in this dynamic domain.
Diverse Expertise
With years of experience under his belt, Rahat has made significant strides in imaging and data analysis application development, cross-platform technologies, and enterprise system design. His expertise spans a wide spectrum of technological areas, making him a versatile and sought-after professional in the industry.
Author and Innovator
Rahat’s contributions extend beyond his professional endeavors. He is the author of two groundbreaking eBooks, “Windows Phone 8.1 Complete Solution” and “Universal Windows Platform – Complete Solution,” which have played a pivotal role in shaping the app development landscape.
Immersive Design Studios
During his tenure as the lead AI developer at Immersive Design Studios, Rahat Yasir achieved a significant milestone by developing the world’s first AI video upscaling tool. His innovative work in this realm has left a lasting impact on the industry.
Enterprise AI Solutions
Rahat’s journey also led him to the role of AI Engineer at Intact Financial Corp, where he designed production-grade AI applications that handle millions of requests daily. His work has significantly enhanced the efficiency and capabilities of the organization’s AI applications.
Revolutionizing the Manufacturing Industry
As the Lead AI Developer at OSEDEA, Rahat played a pivotal role in designing cutting-edge AI solutions for the manufacturing industry. His innovative contributions are driving a transformative wave in this sector.
Large-Scale AI Projects
At CAE, a global leader in aviation, aerospace, defense, and healthcare systems, Rahat contributed to the design of large-scale data and AI analytics platforms. His work has facilitated advancements in these critical sectors.
Data-Driven Transportation Solutions
Rahat Yasir’s role as the Director of Data Science & AI at ISAAC Instruments allowed him to lead data and AI initiatives in the transportation industry. His contributions are powering data-driven solutions for the future of transportation.
IATA: Leading in Global Aviation Data Management
Currently, Rahat is the Head of Data Quality & Analytics at the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In this role, he is at the forefront of AI and analytics initiatives within the Global Aviation Data Management program. His expertise and leadership are instrumental in shaping the future of aviation data management and analytics.
Last Lines
In conclusion, Rahat Yasir’s story is a source of inspiration and pride for the new generation of Bangladesh. He carries a piece of Bangladesh into the global arena, proving that excellence knows no boundaries. His journey encourages thousands of Rahat Yasirs across Bangladesh to pursue their dreams and make their mark on the world. Rahat’s story serves as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.
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