Rafia Inam, Ericsson

- A key aspect of my role is bridging the gap between academia and industry, which I actively strive for. It facilitates the translation of research findings into practical applications, driving innovation and fostering mutual benefit for both academia and industry, says Rafia Inam.

Before joining Swedish industry in 2015 Rafia Inam came from a long experience of teaching. Her connection with KTH started through a joint EU research project and she found this connection to be an excellent platform to push the technology boundaries further through the collaborative research between industry and academia.

- To make this collaboration stronger, long-term, and fruitful, joining KTH as adjunct professor started to make sense to me. Ericsson and KTH already have a strategic partnership . Both my personal and Ericsson-KTH connection made the decision of being an adjunct professor easy and smooth. It provides me an opportunity to work as a bridge between academic and industrial research and realize research ideas in industry.

Involved in multiple collaboration projects

As an adjunct professor, Rafia Inam is deeply involved in both teaching and research. She is also involved in organizing workshops and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at disseminating research findings and fostering networking opportunities within the academic and industrial communities. Activities that serve as platforms for exchanging ideas, building collaborations, and enhancing collective knowledge on the topic.

Additionally, her involvement as a Principal Investigator (PI) at Trustworthy Edge Computing Systems and Applications (TECoSA)  center involves supervising PhD students and collaborating on various research projects with other industrial partners. These collaborative endeavors further enhance research on Trustworhty AI to other domains and provide opportunities to contribute and apply solutions to the wider societal aspects.

Collaboration benefits both organizations

- Research and education go hand in hand and complement each other in the long run. At Ericsson, we are focused on incorporating Trustworthy AI principles across the organization to build confidence and trust in AI-based systems.

- As adjunct professor, I provide students/researchers with real-world insights and experiences on trustworthy AI and how it is applied to telecom use. Offering KTH insights facilitates knowledge exchange and enables researchers to develop novel solutions that are not only theoretically sound but also applicable in practice. Additionally, this facilitates the exchange of ideas and expands research beyond traditional boundaries that fosters interdisciplinary innovation and addresses complex societal challenges.

The collaboration also generates new avenues for funding and networking with other academia and industries for both KTH and Ericsson. By leveraging the synergies between academic and industrial skills, we access new funding opportunities previously untapped, says Rafia Inam.

- My active engagement with students and other researchers at KTH extends the reach of my professional network. Moreover, this engagement not only benefits the students by providing them with mentorship and guidance but also serves to facilitate connections that can be advantageous for Ericsson, particularly in terms of recruitment. It creates opportunities for talent acquisition and expansion, enriching our team with diverse perspectives and skill sets.

What does the exchange mean to you personally?

- Becoming an adjunct professor is a fulfilling opportunity to share knowledge, mentor students, contribute to academic research, and stay connected with the academic community. It also helps me expanding networking opportunities, professional development, and a sense of satisfaction from making a meaningful impact on the next generation of professionals in the field. Coming to KTH provides me a change of environment both physically and mentally that impacts positively and keeps my mind ready to adapt to new situations and learn new things.