Ugail

Professor Hassan Ugail

Mathematician . Computer Scientist . Philanthropist

Professor Ugail

Hassan Ugail is a mathematician, computer scientist and philanthropist whose work spans visual computing, artificial intelligence, facial biometrics and emerging quantum technologies. His research has consistently translated advanced mathematical and computational ideas into real world applications.  He has advised the United Nations, supported major law-enforcement investigations (including the Salisbury Novichok case), was part of the 199th Royal Institution Christmas Lecture in 2023, and holds 10+ patents translating research into commercial impact.

Across more than two decades, his work has focused on a central question in modern computing — how mathematics and intelligent algorithms can be used to extract, reconstruct and reason about complex information from the real world.

Early Life

Ugail was born and raised in Hithadhoo, Addu City, Maldives. He completed his primary education at Nooraanee School, Hithadhoo. In 1987, with the support of his family, who always encouraged his desire to learn, he relocated to Male', the capital for further studies. In Male', he continued his education at the English Preparatory and Secondary School and at the Centre for Higher Secondary Education.

Ugail was always an outstanding student, and as a result, he was awarded a British Council scholarship, allowing him to pursue his education in the United Kingdom in 1992. Ugail received a BSc degree in Mathematics with First Class Honours in 1995 and a postgraduate certificate in 1996, both from King's College London. He earned his PhD in Visual Computing at the University of Leeds in 1999. His doctoral research focused on the application of partial differential equations in interactive surface design.

Career Highlights

As the first Maldivian to achieve a PhD in Mathematics and the first and only Maldivian to date to receive a professorship in science (at the age of 38), Professor Ugail currently works at the University of Bradford, UK as a Professor of Visual Computing and serves as the Director of the Centre for Visual Computing.  Professor Ugail's principal research interests are in the area of visual computing, artificial intelligence, human biometrics and emerging quantum technologies..

Ugail is known for his work on computer-based human face analysis including facial recognition, emotion analysis and lie detection. In 2018, Ugail worked with Bellingcat journalists to verify the identities of two suspected Russian spies involved in the Salisbury Novichok poisoning case. In 2020, BBC News investigators consulted Ugail as an expert in facial mapping to identify an alleged Nazi war criminal. As of 2023, Ugail's team is working on developing advanced artificial intelligence enabled image analysis of human organs for transplantation supported by NHS Blood and Transplant and funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research. 

Giving Back to Society

Aside from his academic work, Ugail continues to inspire individuals, particularly Maldivians, to pursue careers in science by giving motivational presentations, hosting local scientific television shows, and disseminating science-related information in a lively and engaging manner. Additionally, Ugail believes that for a society to develop and thrive, it is necessary to cultivate sharp and inquisitive minds.

Ugail is the Founder and President of the Ugail Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to giving back to society via education. As such, theCircle by Ugail Foundation has been founded as a centre for the pursuit of knowledge and creativity for all ages.

Career Highlights

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    2020 - To date: Working on various AI and Quantum Computing related Research and Projects.

    Since 2020, the focus has increasingly moved towards advanced artificial intelligence and emerging quantum computing technologies. This work explores how modern machine learning, deep learning and computational modelling can be applied to increasingly complex problems, while also investigating the potential of quantum approaches to transform the way large scale computational tasks are approached.

    A particular interest is the convergence of AI, visual computing and quantum computation, including how future quantum systems may accelerate optimisation, pattern recognition and data intensive machine learning. The broader aim is to develop practical research and projects that connect fundamental mathematical and computational ideas with real world applications, while continuing to explore new directions in intelligent systems and next generation computing.

    2019: Established Ugail Foundation to Carry Out Social Work in Different Fields in the Maldives

    Through the Foundation, the first computer science and artificial intelligence conference in Maldives, organised by Ugail Foundation, was held in Ukulhas, Alifu Alifu Atoll. The ​​conference focused on applied artificial intelligence with a special workshop on the latest developments in the field.

    "theCircle by Ugail Foundation": theCircle is an initiative by the Ugail Foundation to empower people across the spectrum of all ages and abilities. theCircle programme aims to provide modern and comfortable spaces in which intellectual stimulation thrives - these are places in which people can meet, read and learn and can carry out intellectual work. To date, through theCircle program, over 7000 kids have undertaken learning activities. 

    2018: Developed State of the Art AI Based Face Recognition System

    Developed a state of the art machine learning model for face recognition. This deep learning based facial recognition model is facial feature specific and age integrated. As a result, facial images under investigation can be matched with greater accuracy. Notable cases where the model has been applied include revealing of the real identities of the suspects in the Salisbury poisoning and the suspects involved in the disappearance of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Embassy in Turkey. Both these cases are of international significance and were the two biggest news stories of 2018.

    2017: Developed a Computer Assisted Face-Ageing Technique

    This is a novel technique of ageing facial images which is more accurate than existing approaches. This method has enabled to boost the search for long term missing people around the world. The key aspect of the method is that it teaches the machine how humans age by feeding the algorithm the key features of a face such as the shape of the cheek, mouth and forehead of individuals, which then produces photographic-quality of the face at various ages. Many faces of lost children have been recreated using this method, including that of Ben Needham and Madeleine McCann.

    2011: Developed a Non-Invasive Lie Detector Technology

    The system helps to examine people’s faces for detecting lies in an interview scenario. The system combines a commercial video camera, a thermal camera, and a computer to identify and observe slight variations in facial expression and blood flow patterns around the eye. One camera looks for give-away signs of deceit such as lip-biting, nose-wrinkling, blinking and slips of the tongue. The thermal imaging camera measures flushing and differences in facial temperature in response to questioning. This technology was extended to the ‘Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances’ in the Maldives, to assist with their investigation.

    2009: Received Professorship in the Area of Visual Computing at the Age of 38 

    Received professorship in the area of Visual Computing in 2009 at the age 38. First and the only Maldivian to receive professorship in science. First Maldivian to receive a PhD in Mathematics

    2000: Worked on the Development of a Novel Method for Geometric Design Known as the PDE Method

    Part of this work was to develop a piece of cutting edge technology for rapid aircraft design for a project sponsored by NASA. The work using the PDE method has many practical applications, which include building new application environments for complex interactive computer aided modelling and computer animation, design analysis and optimisation for engineering and biomedical applications such as accurate computer modelling of shapes of biological membranes, human heart and artificial limbs, geometry (3D data as well as images) compression and visualisation.