Biography

Prof. Umar was born in Kano, Nigeria. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi Nigeria; a Master of Engineering degree in Electrical Power and a doctoral degree (Ph.D) in High Voltage Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2006 and 2009 respectively. He further received an MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree in 2014 from Azman Hashim International Business School (formerly known as UTM International Business School).

Prof. Umar is a Professor of High Voltage Engineering with Kano University of Science and Technology and presently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He was the Dean Faculty of Engineering and Director, Centre for Renewable Energy and Climate Change of the University. He was also a Senior Lecturer at Institute of High Voltage and High Current (IVAT), a Centre of Excellence at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). His research specialization/interests include, insulation condition monitoring of power system equipment, new insulating materials for high voltage application and renewable Energy. He has published more than 80 articles in journals, conference proceedings, book/book chapters related to high voltage engineering and renewable energy from research grants and postgraduate student supervision works. Prof. Bashir was a recipient of the UTM excellent service award and Publication award for excellence in teaching and research.

His industrial experience through consultancy services included IEC17025-accredited high voltage calibration and testing services to power equipment manufacturing companies, power utilities, high voltage measuring instruments manufacturing companies and Electrical Engineering companies that use HV measuring instruments. Some of these services included calibration of HVAC measuring systems (of up to 600 kV), HV oil test sets (up to 100 kV), HVAC voltmeters and surge testers, IEC standard tests on power system equipment such as Power frequency withstand tests, lightning Impulse tests, partial discharge tests and dissipation factor (Tangent delta) tests.

Prof. Umar has chaired and co-chaired several international conferences; has been a member and head of journal editorial boards (as Editor-in-Chief); facilitated short courses related to high voltage technology; IEC 17025 lab accreditation auditor; High voltage laboratory calibration and testing manager.

Prof. Umar was also the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Power Equipment and Electrical Machinery Development Institute (PEEMADI), a development institute under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), The Presidency for six (6) years.

Prof. Umar is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK; A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE); A Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineer (NIEEE); a Senior Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineer (IEEE),USA; a Chartered Engineer (Engineering Council UK) and Registered Engineer with COREN (Nig.). He is also member of IEEE Dielectric and Electrical Insulation Society (DEIS), IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) and Chartered Institute of Power Engineers of Nigeria (CIPEN).