Biography

Dr. Muhammad Qasim Rana is a full-time academic tutor and leading researcher at the University of the Built Environment (UBE). A mechanical engineer by background, he completed his PhD in Construction Management at the University of Salford in 2018, focusing on lean construction and simulation modelling for highway operations. Prior to joining UBE, he worked with the University of Wolverhampton, the University of Salford, and Highways England on projects related to highway maintenance, simulation modelling, and lean construction.

Over the past six years, Dr. Rana has secured more than £520,000 in competitive research funding from leading organisations including Innovate UK, Qatar National Research Fund, the British Council, the Royal Academy of Engineering, Highways England, Salford University, and CIB. His funded projects span a wide range of themes such as sustainability, gender equality, disability inclusion, modern methods of construction, energy efficiency, water management, and environmental resilience.

He publishes regularly in high-impact international journals, and his work covers gender equality and disability inclusion in higher education and industry, off-site construction, lean optimisation, simulation modelling, sustainability and air quality. In recognition of his research excellence, he has received multiple Harold Samuel Research Prizes (2023, 2024) and was the recipient of the CIB Sebestyen Future Leaders Award. Apart from research, he also won the Teaching Excellence Award at UBE in 2024 and was nominated again in 2025.

Dr Rana and has also led a series of British Council Going Global Partnerships projects, securing several international grants on the critical theme of environmental resilience, gender equality and disability inclusion in academia and industry across Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Jordan, Pakistan, South Africa, and Vietnam. These projects focus on advancing women’s empowerment, eliminating barriers in higher education, and creating inclusive and safe learning environments. His research has informed both policy and practice, delivering real-world impact across multiple continents.

Currently, he is leading the modules; MAN6CMC Commercial Management in Construction and PMA6CPM Construction Project Management.

Qualifications and memberships

Teaching

Research interests

Industry

Qualifications and memberships

Qualifications

  • PG Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Education, University of Wolverhampton
  • PhD, Construction Management, University of Salford
  • MSc, Engineering Project Management, University of Manchester
  • BSc Mechanical Engineering, University of Salford

Memberships

  • FHEA (Fellow, Higher Education Academy)

Teaching

Associate Professor Muhammad Rana is currently the module leader for PMA6CPM Construction Project Management and MAN6CMC Commercial Management.

He has previously taught:

  • Project Management
  • Modern Methods of Construction
  • Discrete Event Simulation Modelling
  • Operational Project Management
  • Research Methodology

Research interests

Research interests
  • SEA-UK GEDI Challenge Grant in partnership with British Council 2025 Project on “Embedding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Higher Education: Framework Development and Capacity Building in Brunei (EDI-Brunei-HE)” worth £15,000. edi-brunei.com
  • International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) from the British Council for £53,200 for Adapting Ecosystems: Bridging Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in Brazilian Landscapes through capacity building, knowledge exchange and simulation modelling (EcoBrazil), PI: Dr Muhammad Rana 100% eco-brazil.com
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2025 Project on Intersectional Approaches to Disability Inclusion: Examining the Impacts of Ethnicity, Gender, and Disability on Access to Learning and Research Opportunities between UK and Kenya, worth £24,950, Dr Muhammad Rana (PI 70%), Prof Angela Lee (Co-I 30%) accessken.com
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2025 Project on ENABLE: Enhancing Networks for Accessibility and Barrier-free Learning for Empowering Disability Inclusion in Pakistani Higher Education, worth £24,990, Dr Muhammad Rana (PI 90%), Prof Angela Lee (Co-I 10%) enablepk.com
  • UCEM HSRP 2024/25 Grant on Globalising the Gender Equality research at UCEM; Producing high-impact, REF-able publications and Impact Case Studies to support UCEM REF28 submission, worth £7,500, PI: Dr Muhammad Rana 100%
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2024 Project on Empowering Women in Brazilian Higher Education through Violence Prevention and Safe Learning Environments; SafeEduBrazil, worth £24,990, PI: Dr Muhammad Rana 100%
  • UCEM HSRP 2023/24 Grant on Sustainability research at UCEM; Impact Case Study to support UCEM REF28 and producing high-impact, REF-able publications, worth £5,000, PI: Dr Muhammad Rana 100%
  • Royal Academy of Engineering, Ingenious public engagement award 2024, titled “Eerie Engineering, systems thinking by coproducing an interactive multisensory game” worth £29,880. Prof Angela Lee 50%, Dr Muhammad Rana 50%.
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2024 Project on “CAREER: Cultivating Awareness, Resources, and Equality for Educators in Vietnam” worth £24,950 Muhammad Rana 85%, Prof Angela Lee 10% and Dr Wendy Finlay 5%. GEP 2023-07
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2023 Project on “Ensuring a Safe Transition from Higher Education to Empowerment for Women in Pakistan through Eliminating Violence and Creating Safe Learning Spaces; Safe4All” worth £24,950 Muhammad Rana 95% and Prof Angela Lee 5%. GEP 2023-06
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2023 Project on “Challenging prejudicial attitudes and structures for careers equality for women graduates in Brazil” worth £24,900 Muhammad Rana 85% and Prof Angela Lee 15%. GEP 2023-04
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2022 Project on “Gender, Education, and Career; Improving Transitions for Women from Higher Education to Employment in Egypt worth £24,600 Muhammad Rana 90% and Prof Angela Lee 10%. GEP06-22.
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2022 Project on “Furthering Gender Equality in Jordanian Higher Education and Leadership via societal and structural changes” worth £24,600 Muhammad Rana 80%, Dr Wendy Finlay 5% and Prof Angela Lee 15%. GEP07-22.
  • British Council Going Global Partnership 2022 Project on “Levelling Up STEM! Towards gender equality in the pathways to Jordanian Higher Education and employability” worth £23,950 Muhammad Rana 65% and Prof Angela Lee 35%. GEP08-22
  • British Council Environmental Link Project with British University Egypt on investigating Technical Barriers in the implementation of Renewable Energy worth £48,500 Muhammad Rana 55% and Olugbenga Oladinrin 45%.
  • British Council Researcher Links grant with Jordan 2019 on “Coping with Climate Change and Water Scarcity in Jordan for Sustainable Growth: Vulnerability, Adaptation and Mitigation Measures: HydJo” worth £18,040. Muhammad Rana 100%, (2019-RLWK11-10570).
  • The STELLAR project worth £1.2M funded by Innovate U.K to accelerate research into Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and find solutions to the K. housing crisis. £300k , Co-PI: Dr Muhammad Rana 10%, PI: Prof Mohammed Arif
  • Developing an Automated Design Decision Support Software for Productive Indoor Environment (ADSPE) funded by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) worth £400k. PI Prof Mohamed Arif, Co-PI Dr Muhammad Rana 10%
  • British Council Researcher Links grant with the Philippines 2020 on “Developing Smart Environmental Resilience Solutions for Coastal areas in the Philippines: Susceptibility, Adaptation and Mitigation Measures: SEACAP” worth £67,000. Muhammad Rana 95%, Chaminda Pathirage 5% (2019-RLWK11-10237).
  • British Council Researcher Links grant with Brazil 2020 on “Urbanisation confronts Human Rights: Simulating a sustainable Urban future in Brazil using the integration of BIM and Systems Modelling: BIM2S” worth £40,000. Muhammad Rana 95%, David Heesom 5% (2019-RLWK11-10235).
  • British Council Researcher Links grant with Jordan 2019 on “Shifting the Energy Efficiency to a New Level in Jordan: Integrating Ambient Intelligence and Big data in the Built Environment. SEENJordan” worth £19,800. Muhammad Rana 70%, Mohammed Arif 20%, Rana Khan 10% (2019-RLWK11-10504).
  • Global Challenges Research Fund 2019 worth £3000 on Smart and Safe Transportation in China. Muhammad Rana 100%
  • CIB Sebestyen Future Leaders Award Winner 2017 is worth £2500 to integrate CIB construction traditional forums and social media.
  • Salford University Internal funding 2016, worth £2000 internal from the University of Salford to study and improve the Traffic Management in the UK

Industry

Dr Muhammad Rana has worked with Lean implementation Departments of Highways England, Costain and Mott MacDonalds during this PhD work at the University of Salford especially on the A556 Project.

Publications

Publications
  • Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Windapo, Abimbola, Alencastro, João, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Ekpo, Christiana and Ojo, Lekan Damilola (2025). Breaking barriers: Understanding factors constraining women’s career choices and progression in the South African construction industry. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal. Published online 11 September 2025. Available at: https://ube.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/190/
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Lee, Angela, Tran, Van Ty and Lam, Dao Phong (2025). Gender equality and sustainability in Vietnamese higher education: Educators’ perspectives. Administrative Sciences, 15(5), 164. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15050164
  • Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Windapo, Abimbola, Alencastro, João, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Ekpo, Christiana and Ojo, Lekan Damilola (2025). Towards a sustainable construction industry: A fuzzy synthetic evaluation of critical barriers to entry and retention of women in the South African construction industry. Sustainability, 17(10), 4500. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104500
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Lee, Angela, Bezerra, José Fernando Rodrigues and Villas Boas, Guilherme Hissa (2025). Evaluating the agreement index of the barriers faced by women during the transition from higher education to empowerment in Brazil: A sustainable development perspective. Administrative Sciences, 15(3), 82. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15030082
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Lee, Angela, Bezerra, José Fernando Rodrigues and Villas Boas, Guilherme Hissa (2025). Gender equity vs. gender equality: A more just and effective path to social justice. Societies, 15(9), 261. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/9/261
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Lee, Angela, Tran, Van Ty, Lam, Dao Phong and Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo (2025). Fostering sustainability through gender equality: Perspectives of lecturers and students in Vietnamese higher education. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 14(3), 452. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/fostering-sustainability-through-gender-equality-perspectives-of-lecturers-and-students-in-vietnamese-higher-education-136584.html
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Lee, Angela, Tran, Van Ty and Lam, Dao Phong (2025). Gender equality and sustainability in Vietnamese higher education: Students’ perspectives. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 14(3), 453. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/gender-equality-and-sustainability-in-vietnamese-higher-education-students-perspectives-136585.html
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2025). GHG performance in UK university accommodation retrofits. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 14(3), 454. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/ghg-performance-in-uk-university-accommodation-retrofits-2168-9717-1000454-136586.html
  • Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Ojo, Lekan Damilola, Alencastro, João, Ekpo, Christiana, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Windapo, Abimbola (2025). Exploratory analysis of ethical issues in virtual construction project coordination in Nigeria. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 14(3), 470. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/exploratory-analysis-of-ethical-issues-in-virtual-construction-project-coordination-in-nigeria-136621.html
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Saher, Noreen, Lee, Angela and Shabbir, Zeba (2024). Fuzzy synthetic evaluation of the barriers and sustainable pathways for women during the transition from higher education to empowerment in Pakistan. Social Sciences, 13(12), 657. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120657
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Lee, Angela, Bezerra, José Fernando Rodrigues and Villas Boas, Guilherme Hissa (2024). Empowerment and sustainability: Investigating barriers to women’s transition from higher education to empowerment in Brazil. Societies, 14(11), 234. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14110234
  • 14. Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Lee, Angela, Saher, Noreen and Shabbir, Zeba (2024). Barriers to empowerment: Examining the transition of Pakistani women from higher education (HE) to professional life. Social Sciences, 13(10), 514. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13100514
  • Alshdiefat, Ala’a Saleh, Lee, Angela, Sharif, Ahlam Ammar, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Abu Ghunmi, Noor-Alhuda Mohammad (2024). Women in leadership of higher education: Critical barriers in Jordanian universities. Cogent Education, 11(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2357900
  • Salazar, Ana Maria Santos, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Leyba, Ana Cristina Gonzalez, Saini, Mohit, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo and Lee, Angela (2024). Critical success factors in large-scale agile software development. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 13, 379. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/critical-success-factors-in-largescale-agile-software-development-129965.html
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Fahim, Shadia, Saad, Mohammed, Lee, Angela, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo and Ojo, Lekan Damilola (2024). Exploring the underlying barriers for the successful transition for women from higher education to employment in Egypt: A focus group study. Social Sciences, 13(4), 195. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13040195
  • Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Fahim, Shadia, Saad, Mohammed and Lee, Angela (2024). Gender and career: Exploring transitions for women from higher education to employment in Egypt. International Journal of Science, Engineering and Management (IJSEM), 11(3), 9–13.
  • Alfar, Eman, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Lee, Angela (2024). Reconceptualising pavement maintenance decision-making using GIS as a visualisation tool: A case study exemplar. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 13, 378. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/reconceptualising-pavement-maintenance-decisionmaking-using-gis-as-a-visualisation-tool-a-case-study-exemplar-129964.html
  • Alshdiefat, Ala’a Saleh, Sharif, Ahlam Ammar, Abu Ghunmi, Noor-Alhuda Mohammad, Lee, Angela and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2024). Factors impacting women gaining leadership roles in the Jordanian construction sector: Architects and civil engineers. Buildings, 14(4), 944. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14040944
  • Leyba, Ana Cristina Gonzalez, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Salazar, Ana Maria Santos, Saini, Mohit, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo and Lee, Angela (2024). Deploying the hybrid project management methodology framework in major transportation projects in the United Kingdom. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 13, 377. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/deploying-the-hybrid-project-management-methodology-framework-in-major-transportation-projects-in-the-united-kingdom-129963.html
  • Sharif, Ahlam Ammar, Alshdiefat, Ala’a Saleh, Lee, Angela, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Abu Ghunmi, Noor-Alhuda Mohammad (2024). Gender equality in architecture and construction: An assessment framework at the institutional and sectoral levels in Jordan. Buildings, 14(3), 764. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030764
  • Sharif, Ahlam Ammar, Lee, Angela, Alshdiefat, Ala’a Saleh, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Abu Ghunmi, Noor-Alhuda Mohammad (2024). Sustainable gender equality: A comparative perspective on STEM education and employment in Jordan. Sustainability, 16(6), 2273. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062273
  • Al Horr, Yousef, Arif, Mohammed, Kaushik, Amit Kant, Arsalan, Haseeb, Mazroei, Abdulaziz and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2023). Thermal comfort in buildings: Scientometric analysis and systematic review. Journal of Architectural Engineering, 29(2), 03123001.
  • Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Mesthrige, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige, Ojo, Lekan Damilola, Alencastro, João and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2023). Smart home technologies to facilitate ageing-in-place: Professionals’ perception. Sustainability, 15(8), 6542. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086542
  • Alzahrani, Hattan, Arif, Mohammed, Kaushik, Amit Kant, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Aburas, Hani (2023). Evaluating the effects of indoor air quality on teacher performance using artificial neural network. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 21(2), 604–618. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-07-2021-0372
  • Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Arif, Mohammed, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Gyoh, Lucky (2023). Interrelations between construction ethics and innovation: A bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer. Construction Innovation, 23(3), 505–523. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-07-2021-0130
  • Sagar, Sukhwant Kaur, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Arif, Mohammed and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2023). Interpretive structural model of trust factors in construction virtual project teams. Construction Innovation, 23(1), 248–264. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-09-2021-0179
  • Kaushik, Amit Kant, Arif, Mohammed, Ebohon, Osezua Johnson, Arsalan, Haseeb, Rana, Muhammad Qasim and Obi, Ifeoma L. (2023). Effect of indoor environmental quality on visual comfort and productivity in office buildings. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 21(6), 1746–1766. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-09-2021-0474
  • Elshamy, Ahmad I., Elshazly, Engy, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Abd el-Lateef, Rasha Said, El-Badry, Seif Tarek, Elthakaby, Mahmoud, Elbaz, Ahmed M. R., Dewidar, Khaled and El-Mahallawi, Iman (2022). Challenges and opportunities for integrating RE systems in Egyptian building stocks. Energies, 15(23), 8988. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15238988
  • Kaushik, Amit Kant, Arif, Mohammed, Syal, Matt M.G., Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Sharif, Ahlam Ammar and Alshdiefat, Ala’a Saleh (2022). Effect of indoor environment on occupant air comfort and productivity in office buildings: A response surface analysis approach. Sustainability, 14(23), 15719. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315719
  • El-Mahallawi, Iman, Elshazly, Engy, Ramadan, Mohamed, Nasser, Reem, Yasser, Moaaz, El-Badry, Seif Tarek, Elthakaby, Mahmoud, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2022). Solar PV panels-self-cleaning coating material for Egyptian climatic conditions. Sustainability, 14(17), 11001. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711001
  • Adeniyi, Olumide, Pavithra, R., Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2022). Strategic capabilities for enhancing the flood resilience of business premises: An expert review and lessons from case studies. Sustainability, 14(16), 9814. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169814
  • Sharif, Ahlam Ammar, Alshdiefat, Ala’a Saleh, Rana, Muhammad Qasim et al. (2022). Evaluating social sustainability in Jordanian residential neighbourhoods: A combined expert-user approach. City, Territory and Architecture, 9, 17. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-022-00162-5
  • Sagar, Sukhwant Kaur, Arif, Mohammed, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2022). Challenges negating virtual construction project team performance in the Middle East. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 12(4), 613–629. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-08-2021-0104
  • Bendi, Deepthi, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Arif, Mohammed, Lamb, Steve Michael, Sawhney, Anil and Kaushik, Amit Kant (2022). Assessing off-site readiness in construction
  • organisations: Cases from India. Construction Innovation, 22(2), 320–341. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-01-2021-0005
  • Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo, Gomis, Kodjo, Jayantha, Wadu Mesthrige, Obi, Ifeoma L. and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2021). Scientometric analysis of global scientific literature on aging in place. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12468. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312468
  • Sagar, Sukhwant Kaur, Arif, Mohammed, Oladinrin, Olugbenga Timo and Rana, Muhammad Qasim (2021). Exploring factors affecting trust in construction virtual project teams. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 10(11), 254. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/exploring-factors-affecting-trust-in-construction-virtual-project-teams-118067.html
  • Bendi, Deepthi, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Arif, Mohammed, Oladinrin, Olugbenga and Kaushik, Amit Kant (2021). Assessing off-site readiness in construction organisations from the contractors’ perspective: A case study from India. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 10, 250. Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/assessing-offsite-readiness-in-construction-organisations-from-the-contractors-perspective-a-case-study-from-india-117746.html
  • Bendi, Deepthi, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Arif, Mohammed, Goulding, Jack Steven and Sawhney, Anil (2021). An off-site construction readiness maturity model for the Indian construction sector. Construction Innovation, 21(1), 123–142. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-07-2020-0121
  • Bendi, Deepthi, Rana, Muhammad Qasim, Arif, Mohammed, Goulding, Jack Steven and Kaushik, Amit Kant (2021). Understanding off-site readiness in Indian construction organisations. Construction Innovation, 21(1), 105–122. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-02-2020-0016
  • Qasim, Rana Muhammad (2018). Improving highways construction processes using computer-based simulation techniques. PhD thesis, University of Salford, UK. Available at: https://salford-repository.worktribe.com/preview/1490419/Qasim%20Thesis%20Improving%20productivity%20of%20Construction%20processes.pd
  • Rana, M.Q, Aziz, Zeeshan. (2017), “Using the integration of Simulation and Lean-to enhance road maintenance processes”. (13th International Postgraduate Research Conference 14th / 15th September 2017), IPGRC 2017 University of Salford Manchester, U.K.
  • Rana, M.Q, Aziz, Zeeshan. (2017), “Improving Productivity of Road Surfacing operations with the help of Lean and Discrete Event Simulation techniques; a U.K. case study”. (The 9th International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC- 9), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 2017).
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