Najeeb Najeeb—Robotics and Self-Driving Cars

by Jeff Whitten | Dec 6, 2021 | Achievements, MIU News

December 6, 2021 • ISSUE 600

Najeeb Najeeb

Robotics and Self-Driving Cars

MIU alumnus Najeeb Najeeb recently rejoined MIU faculty after completing his PhD in robotics and spending two years working on self-driving cars in California.

Associate Professor Najeeb earned his undergraduate degree in computer science from the University of Baghdad and worked in software and web development for five years in Iraq.

In 2006 he heard about the practical approach of MIU’s ComPro Program from a friend and applied. He began his studies in 2007 and, when he finished his on-campus courses, the Computer Science Department asked him to join as a faculty member.

Celebrating his birthday on campus with fellow students

He found his studies in robotics as much play as work, and in the process he realized he had gained a competitive advantage at MIU. “I was able to get more done than my peers because I got my eight hours of sleep and my TM practice,” he said. “I was more awake in class, which made me more effective.”

Professor Najeeb completed his doctorate degree in four years. He wrote his dissertation on a no-prior-knowledge-based algorithm for near optimal wireless power transfer from a drone to an underground sensor, and then implemented and demonstrated his work. The algorithm he wrote has several implementations, one of which enabled an agricultural drone to more efficiently charge the batteries of a sensory network in a drip irrigation system, saving time and energy.

With colleague and mentor, Professor Clyde Ruby

Professor Najeeb completed his doctorate degree in four years. He wrote his dissertation on a no-prior-knowledge-based algorithm for near optimal wireless power transfer from a drone to an underground sensor, and then implemented and demonstrated his work. The algorithm he wrote has several implementations, one of which enabled an agricultural drone to more efficiently charge the batteries of a sensory network in a drip irrigation system, saving time and energy.

He wanted to continue working in robotics, and he chose the most exciting area in the field: autonomous vehicles. He accepted a job at the self-driving car company Cruise in San Francisco. “It felt like playing a video game,” he said. “I was able to test the results of the lines of code I wrote.”

In 2020 Professor Najeeb accepted an invitation from MIU to return to Fairfield and now teaches courses in web and enterprise applications.

Aliko Foster—Transcending Limitations

by Jeff Whitten | Dec 2, 2021 | Achievements, MIU News

December 2, 2021 • ISSUE 599

Aliko Foster

Transcending Limitations

MIU student Aliko Foster had a career in information technology until 12 years ago, when an undiagnosed medical condition left him without his memory and ability to speak. During the next several years, Aliko had to relearn how to speak, study, and remember.

Not having much memory of his previous life, he decided to explore the new field of sustainable agriculture at Victor Valley College, California, where he lived at the time. A few years later, he spent 18 months traveling the country with an RV, then settled down in Roswell, New Mexico.

In 2021 he decided to relocate to the Midwest. When looking for homes on Zillow, he discovered Fairfield and MIU and became intrigued by both. After sufficient research and a brief reconnaissance mission, he and his partner, Catherine, sold their house in New Mexico and bought one in Fairfield.

On the set of his upcoming movie

They arrived in June, and soon Aliko enrolled at MIU. One of the first classes he took was in cinematography, where he discovered an affinity for filmmaking, a medium which allows him to express his creativity and quirky sense of humor. He enjoys creating entertaining and uplifting short movies for social media.

Even before arriving in Fairfield, Aliko and Catherine began following an ayurvedic diet, which helped him lose weight and improve his health. Learning the Transcendental Meditation® technique allowed him to change his outlook on life completely.

“When you are 58 years old with a memory problem, you don’t look at the future as something positive,” said Aliko. “I felt like I was done, but when I learned the TM technique, the limitations went away and everything became possible. Now I feel like I still have great things to do.”

After completing his bachelor’s degree Aliko wants to pursue a master’s degree in consciousness and human potential.

Muhyieddin Al-Tarawneh—Defragmenting the Mind with TM

by Jeff Whitten | Nov 24, 2021 | Achievements, MIU News

November 24, 2021 • ISSUE 598

Muhyieddin Al-Tarawneh

Defragmenting the Mind with TM

Muhyieddin Al-Tarawneh is one of MIU’s newest faculty members in the MS in Computer Science Program, with a PhD in the implementation of machine learning algorithms over permissioned blockchains.

Dr. Al-Tarawneh was born in the US while his Jordanian father pursued his PhD degree and worked in the US. Inspired by his father, he had wanted to become a professor since the age of 12. He started coding while in school, and when his family moved to Jordan, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer information systems from Mutah University and Middle East University, Jordan, respectively.

At his PhD graduation at the University of Jordan

For several years he taught computer science courses at various universities in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, then began his PhD at the University of Jordan. Pursuing his doctorate degree as well as having a teaching position and several freelance jobs on the side had caused him to feel overwhelmed with life. He felt the need to defragment his mind. That’s when he heard about MIU and the Transcendental Meditation® program from a friend.

He browsed MIU’s website and applied for a teaching position. He arrived in January 2020 and, while teaching courses, he finished his PhD dissertation and has also written several papers.

With his father, Dr. Khaled Altarawneh

Professor Al-Tarawneh was delighted to discover that the TM® technique has helped him defragment his mind, sleep better, enjoy life more, and accomplish more. “Ever since I started practicing the TM technique I feel a self-organization is happening,” he said. “Meditation is like emptying the cache in my mind; it takes out the stress.”

He has also embraced MIU’s block system for his life. He gives his full attention to his students while teaching and focuses on his research when he is not teaching.

Professor Al-Tarawneh’s interests include machine learning and data science, and he is collaborating on research with various colleagues around the world. In 2020 he received the Wege Faculty Award from MIU.

Vikram Gulati — From CEO to Professor

by Jeff Whitten | Nov 15, 2021 | Achievements, MIU News

November 15, 2021 • ISSUE 597

Vikram Gulati

From CEO to Professor

Vikram Gulati holds electrical engineering and MBA degrees and spent 30 years leading IT companies before joining MIU in 2019 to pursue his PhD in management.

About 16 years ago Vikram developed an interest in Vedic knowledge and began studying the Vedic literature. He became fascinated with the intersection of science and spirituality and the idea of consciousness being the central principle of existence.

In 2019 Vikram met a student of Maharishi and learned about the Transcendental Meditation® technique, the unified field theory, and MIU. He wanted to transition from the corporate world to academia and, after attending a Visitors Weekend, he enrolled at MIU. He completed his coursework online and recently moved to Fairfield with his wife.

“I realized that at MIU I can bring together the three things I love: teaching, using my management experience, and studying the Vedic tradition,” said Vikram.

Vikram with his wife and daughters

Vikram found that the practice of the TM® technique has helped him in this major transition of his life and several other challenges he faced due to the pandemic. “All of these were stressful events, but I didn’t feel them as much,” he said.

For the past two and a half years Vikram has taught various management courses through MIU’s distance education programs in China, Ethiopia, and South Africa.

Earlier this year, Vikram was one of 20 PhD students in the world to receive a Fetzer Institute scholarship to attend the Academy of Management’s August virtual conference. He was also the only PhD student from MIU to be a panelist in three professional development workshops by the Management, Spirituality, and Religion interest group of the Academy.

Vikram is now researching his dissertation, which explores the ambidextrous mindset—the ability to incorporate the dualism of innovation and efficiency—as a leadership quality critical for organizational success. He postulates that the development of consciousness, through the practice of the TM technique, is the most efficient way of cultivating a mindset that can facilitate the coexistence of these opposing values.

Motsei Masilo—Finding Meaningful Education

by Jeff Whitten | Nov 10, 2021 | Achievements, MIU News

November 10, 2021 • ISSUE 596

Motsei Masilo

Finding Meaningful Education

South African student Motsei Masilo is about to finish her online MBA degree and has already been accepted into the PhD program in management.

Motsei attended the University of Cape Town and earned a bachelor’s degree in social science psychology. For twenty years she worked for Roche Pharmaceuticals in various HR and management roles in South Africa, Europe, and India. She has also served on the boards of various organizations.

When her employer became a sponsor for the Maharishi Invincibility Institute in Johannesburg in 2015, Motsei learned the Transcendental Meditation® technique and fell in love with it.

During her career Motsei has attended a variety of leadership training programs, but she had always dreamed of pursuing an MBA. When she left Roche in 2019 she had no doubt she wanted to enroll at MIU, which she did in 2020. Motsei enjoyed the classes so much that she got up at 2:00 a.m. twice a week to participate in the classes happening live at MIU’s Fairfield campus.

At an award gala with her business development team at Roche in 2018

For the first time, I felt school had a meaning,” she said. “I realized how important it was to get immersed in one subject at a time. I also appreciate how the teachers have an interest in you getting a good grade and they encourage you to do better.”

During her studies at MIU, Motsei also gained a deeper understanding of the Transcendental Meditation technique and was able to incorporate its regular practice into her routine. “I could tell the difference,” she said. “I was more relaxed. Even stressful things were not stressing me anymore. I became more insightful and creative in a different way than I was before.”

While pursuing her education, Motsei also started an HR consulting business. One of her clients is the Maharishi Invincibility Institute, where she is helping to start a career center designed to prepare students for the corporate work environment from the moment they begin their studies. In the long run, Motsei’s goal is to add sustainability to her consulting business.

Abdul Khalik Mokhtar—Connecting to Creativity and Community

by Jeff Whitten | Nov 5, 2021 | Achievements, MIU News

November 5, 2021 • ISSUE 595

Abdul Khalik Mokhtar

Connecting to Creativity and Community

Abdul Khalik Mokhtar was born in Azerbaijan, came to the US as a child, and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. He inherited the love of performing from his theater-trained parents and acted in stage productions throughout middle and high school.

He dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and studied the work of film director David Lynch, which led him to discover MIU. He attended a Visitors Weekend in the summer of 2019 and enrolled that fall in the Cinematic Arts and New Media Program.

Abdul likes the small classes at MIU, where students can develop a stronger connection to their professors, each other, and the subjects they are studying. He enjoys collaborating with other students and making lifelong friendships.

Filming the firefly documentary about Radim Schreiber (photo by Amine Kouider)

“Practicing the TM technique has helped me become a better filmmaker,” he said. “I am able to access ideas better, stay in the creative flow, and feel more connected to people. I was able to reconnect with the things I love doing—filmmaking and acting.”

In the summer of 2020 Abdul had the opportunity to make a short documentary about MIU alumnus and award-winning firefly photographer Radim Schreiber. Abdul filmed and edited the documentary within a month, with the help of MIU cinematography graduate Nina Ziv, who provided aerial photography, and faculty member Amine Kouider, who produced the film.

Recreating a movie scene in class; left to right: Dustin Matthews, Jonathan Walton, Abdul Khalik Mokhtar; behind the camera Jonathan Looney (photo by Giovanni Merino)

Recently he had his first paid assignment as a production assistant on an independent feature film shot in Bentonsport, Iowa. “Working on a film set was something I have always dreamed about, and it was very rewarding,” said Abdul.

Abdul is graduating in spring 2022 and plans to move to New York City to pursue acting and independent filmmaking.