Home \ Faculty Details \ Dr. Nasrullah Khan Khilji
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  • Phone:

    0138495414

  • Email:

    nkhilji@pmu.edu.sa

  • Office No:

    S082

  • Dr. Nasrullah Khan Khilji

  • Job Title :

    Higher Education Professional

  • College :

    College of Business Administration


  • Department :

    Business Administration


Dr. Nasrullah Khan Khilji is a senior academic at the College of Business Administration, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia, with nearly 26 years of experience in higher education, research, and academic leadership. His areas of expertise include digital transformation, business innovation, project and operations management, management information systems, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics.

At PMU, he plays a key role in the leadership and coordination of MBA, EMBA, and PhD programs, contributing to curriculum development, quality assurance, doctoral supervision, and institutional governance.

Prior to joining PMU, Dr. Khilji served in a senior leadership capacity at the University of West London, where he directed international academic partnerships and postgraduate programs, and chaired the Information Systems and Knowledge Management Research Group.

His international academic career includes affiliations with leading institutions such as Cranfield University, Cardiff University, and others, along with extensive collaboration across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He has also served as an academic reviewer for leading publishers such as MIT Press and Cambridge University Press, and as a subject matter expert for the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman.

Dr. Khilji has also contributed to public service, notably as Caretaker Provincial Minister for Education in Baluchistan, Pakistan. He remains an active researcher, author, and doctoral supervisor, committed to advancing knowledge, innovation, and academic excellence. He is an active researcher and scholar while he continues to publish in leading academic journals and present at international conferences. 

PhD

(Information Management)

Innovative communication, effective coordination, and KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT in the UK local authority planning departments for SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

School of Computing and Engineering

University of      West London

2015

Cert-ELP

Professional Development Course for Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) from Said Business School, Oxford University – Continuous Professional Development

Oxford University

2022

Cert-PDC

Professional Development Course for External Examiners

Higher Education Advance – Continuous Professional Development Advance-HE Course

Advance HE (HEA) - UK

2020

Pg-Cert

LEADING teaching and learning in higher education (LTL-HE)

Centre for Learning Excellence (CLE)

Higher Education Academy Senior Fellowship (ref. PR136625)

University of Bedfordshire

2017

Pg-Cert

Postgraduate certificate in ACADEMIC PRACTICE

Institute for Teaching, Innovation and Learning (INSTIL)

Higher Education Academy Fellowship (ref. PR109908)

University of      West London

2014

Pg-Cert

Postgraduate certificate in RESEARCH METHODS

Graduate Research School

Thames Valley University, UK

2009

MSc

(Merit)

Postgraduate degree in MATHEMATICS

Department of Mathematics

University of Baluchistan

2001

MBA

(Distinction)

Master of Business Administration - MIS & HRM

Cardiff Business School

University of Wales, Cardiff

1999

Pg-Dip

(Distinction)

Postgraduate diploma in COMPUTER SCIENCE and IT

Department of Computer Sciences

University of Baluchistan

1996

 

Khilji, N.K. (2026) ‘Knowledge management and technological innovation as drivers of sustainable development in UK construction project management’, Environment, Society and Business Review (ESBR), 1(1), pp. 83–100. https://doi.org/10.66776/ESBR.2026.1.1.83-100

Khilji, N.K., Abbaszadeh, S. and Nikolic, K. (2026) ‘Enhanced performance gains through technological innovations in business process management: a systematic literature review’, in Alareeni, B. et al. (eds.) AI Powered Control Systems in Fintech. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, vol. 649. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13119-5_36

Baghali, S., Khilji, N. and Nikolic, K. (2025) ‘Soft skills to enhance team performance: a systematic review of diverse teamwork’, Proceedings of the European Conference on Management Leadership and Governance (ECMLG), 21(1), pp. 409–418. https://doi.org/10.34190/ecmlg.21.1.4089

Khilji, N., Nikolic, K. and Ikram-ur-Rehman (2024) ‘The influence of knowledge management on digital transformation: managing change and innovation’, in Arai, K. (ed.) Advances in Information and Communication. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol. 919. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53960-2_24

Pordoy, J., Farman, H., Dicheva, N., Nasralla, M., Khilji, N. and Rehman, I. (2024) ‘Multi-frame transfer learning framework for facial emotion recognition in e-learning contexts’, IEEE Access. Available at: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10713310

Issa-Salwe, A.M., Khilji, N.K. and Roberts, S.A. (2024) ‘Transitions in information systems education: confronting technological and societal change in the face of global realities and disparities’, in Hwang, M.I. (ed.) Teaching Information Systems. Edward Elgar, pp. 264–298. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802205794.00020

Khilji, N., Roberts, A. and Baker-Middleton, G. (2023) ‘Domain applications of project management knowledge (DAPMK): enhancing knowledge transfer and soft skills for lifelong learning’, Proceedings of the 24th European Conference on Knowledge Management (ECKM), Lisbon, Portugal. ISBN: 978-1-7138-8048-6

Anwar, A., Rehman, I., Nasralla, M., Khattak, S. and Khilji, N. (2023) ‘Sentiment analysis and student emotions: improving satisfaction in online learning platforms’, IEEE International Smart Cities Conference (ISC2), pp. 1–7. Available at: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10293422

Anwar, A., Rehman, I., Nasralla, M., Khattak, S. and Khilji, N. (2023) ‘Emotions matter: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the detection and classification of students’ emotions in STEM during online learning’, Education Sciences, 13(9), pp. 914–924. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/9/914

Khilji, N.K. and Roberts, S.A. (2022) ‘Soft skills acquisition for the knowledge economy: policy evolution for TVET in emerging economies’, in Bilgin, M.H. et al. (eds.) Eurasian Business and Economics Perspectives. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94036-2_21

Khilji, N. (2022) ‘Virtual learning environments for student engagement in higher education through knowledge management and blended learning’, Proceedings of the 23rd European Conference on Knowledge Management (ECKM), Naples, Italy, pp. 601–610. https://doi.org/10.34190/eckm.23.1.452

Khilji, N., Duan, Y. and Tehrani, J. (2021) ‘Knowledge sharing for enhanced performance in higher education institutions’, Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 21(4), pp. 80–93. https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v21i4.4210

Khilji, N.K., Roberts, S.A. (2022). Soft Skills Acquisition for the Knowledge Economy: A Research Strategy for Policy Evolution in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Intermediate and Emergent Economies. In: Bilgin, M.H., Danis, H., Demir, E., Zaremba, A. (eds) Eurasian Business and Economics Perspectives. Eurasian Studies in Business and Economics, vol 21. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94036-2_21

Khilji, N., Duan, Y. and Tehrani, J. (2020) ‘A conceptual framework of knowledge sharing for enhanced performance in HEIs’, Proceedings of the 21st European Conference on Knowledge Management (ECKM), Coventry, UK, pp. 414–425. Access. ISBN: 978-1-912764-81-5

Richardson, D., Goal, K., Khilji, N. and Ogston, R. (2020) ‘Towards an integrated framework for sustainable provision of project management courses in higher education’, British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference. ResearchGate

Duan, Y., Ramanathan, R., Khilji, N. and Cao, G. (2018) ‘Understanding research on the use and impact of big data analytics: a systematic review’, Big Data Analytics, Data Mining and Computational Intelligence (BigDaCI), Madrid, Spain, pp. 185–188. Access. ISBN: 978-989-8533-80-7

Khilji, N., Duan, Y., Lewis, R. and Bukoye, T. (2017) ‘Incorporating knowledge management tools in UK local government for improved planning services’, International Conference on Intellectual Capital, Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning, Hong Kong, pp. 122–133. Access. ISSN: 2048-9811, Book Version ISSN: 2048-9803, ISBN: 978-1-911218-62-3

Khilji, N. and Roberts, A. (2015) ‘An exploratory study of knowledge management for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness: transformation of the planning system in UK local government’, Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 14(1), pp. 315–332. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219649215500112

Khilji, N. and Roberts, A. (2014) ‘The role of ICT strategy and knowledge management in the reform of the UK local government planning system’, Journal of Technologies in Knowledge Sharing, 10(1), pp. 17–30. Access. CommonGround – TechAndSOC.com

Rehman, S. and Khilji, N. (2014) ‘Fast pace of change in ICTs: training challenges for knowledge workers’, Asian Journal of Business and Management, 2(5), pp. 454–460. Access. https://www.ajouronline.com/index.php/AJBM/article/view/1546

Rehman, S. and Khilji, N. (2014) ‘Ethical values and social responsibility among knowledge workers for productivity and success’, Information and Knowledge Management, 4(7), pp. 57–68. Access. file:///C:/Users/nkhilji/OneDrive%20-%20PMU/Desktop/14188-16496-1-PB.pdf

Khilji, N. and Roberts, A. (2013) ‘An exploratory study of knowledge management in the UK local government planning system for improved efficiency and effectiveness’. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Intellectual Capital, Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning, George Washington University, Washington DC, pp. 551–560. Access. ISBN: 978-1-62993-316-0

Khilji, N. and Roberts, S. (2013) The role of innovative communication channels, effective coordination strategy and knowledge management in the UK local government planning system. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management. Vol (12), Issue (04), pp.315-332. Access. https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0219649213500330

Khilji, N. and Roberts, S. (2013) Auditing the impact of knowledge management on human and technological resources in the UK local government for planning processes. VISTAS, 2(2), pp.72-90. Access. https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/476

Association of Project Management (APM)

Feb 2020

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

Oct 2016

Higher Education Advance (HE-Advance)

Sep 2015

International Council on Knowledge Management (ICKM)

Sep 2013

The Operation Research Society (OR)

June 2012

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Mar 2010

Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)

Aug 2009

Association of Project Safety (APS) - CDM-Coordinator

July 2008

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) - Licentiate

May 2007

Association of Overseas Scholarship Training (AOST)

Oct 2002

 

Dr. Nasrullah Khilji’s research domain is centered on advancing business innovation and digital transformation through the strategic integration of knowledge management, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) within contemporary organizations. His work aims to generate impactful insights into how data-driven and AI-enabled systems can enhance decision-making quality, organizational learning, and innovation capability across both public and private sector contexts.

A key stream of Dr. Khilji’s research focuses on the evolving role of project management, operations management, and strategic portfolio management in digitally enabled environments. In particular, he examines how agile, hybrid, and data-intensive management approaches can support organizational resilience, sustainability, and value creation in increasingly complex and uncertain environments. This work contributes to rethinking traditional management frameworks in light of digital disruption and technological advancement.

Another central pillar of his research explores leadership and team dynamics in the digital era. He is particularly interested in how leaders can effectively manage organizational change, foster collaboration, and develop high-performing teams in technology-mediated, distributed, and cross-cultural settings. His work in this area emphasizes the interaction between human, technological, and organizational capabilities, with a specific focus on leadership for innovation, transformation, and AI-enabled organizations.

In addition, Dr. Khilji’s research addresses the sustainability and ethical implications of digital transformation. He investigates how organizations can balance rapid technological advancement with responsible leadership, ethical AI practices, and inclusive innovation to ensure long-term societal and economic value. This includes examining governance frameworks and policy implications for sustainable digital ecosystems.

Overall, Dr. Khilji adopts an interdisciplinary and applied approach to research, bridging management, information systems, and emerging technologies. Through this work, he seeks to make meaningful contributions to academic theory, industry practice, and public policy, supporting organizations, educators, and policymakers in navigating digital transformation and building sustainable, knowledge-driven economies.

 

August 2025 - Date:

Associate Professor in Business Innovation and Digital Transformation

Course lead for MBA, EMBA and PhD Program.

College of Business Administration, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, KSA

  • Lead and coordinate the academic portfolio for EMBA, MBA (Project & Operations Management), and PhD in Business Studies.
  • Design, develop, and deliver senior-level modules in Project Management, Strategic Management, Supply Chain, MIS, Knowledge Management, Sustainability, Business Innovation, Digital Technologies, AI, Big Data Analytics, Strategic Portfolio Management, Team Dynamics and Leadership.
  • Develop course materials (syllabi, assessments, handouts), deliver lectures, facilitate seminars, and provide timely feedback and academic advising.
  • Champion student‑centred, skills‑based, and interactive pedagogy; mentor faculty and research students.
  • Conduct independent and collaborative research; publish in peer‑reviewed outlets; pursue external funding.
  • Serve on faculty and university committees; contribute to accreditation, quality enhancement, and strategic initiatives.
  • Undertake departmental administrative responsibilities and engage in community outreach leveraging domain expertise.

September 2023 – July 2025:

Associate Professor in Applied Project Management, Academic Portfolio Leader for Academic Partnership (UK and TNE), and Chair of Information System and KM Research Group

School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK

  • Led the School’s Academic Partnership portfolio across UK (London, Birmingham, Luton, Cardiff) and overseas partners (Singapore, Hong Kong, Greece, Sri Lanka, UAE).
  • Maintained oversight of academic standards, quality of learning experience, and compliance with UWL regulations and contracts across partner institutions.
  • Conducted annual quality and environment reviews; coordinated student engagement activities and site visits; escalated actions via Head of School and Global Partnerships Office.
  • Supported partner staff development, delivered training, and advised on curriculum delivery, QA processes, and teaching-out arrangements.
  • Monitored admissions procedures, programme publicity, marketing, and information integrity.
  • Fostered collaborative networks with internal/external peers; advised on income generation, student recruitment, and portfolio promotion.
  • Chair, ISKM Research Group: Directed multidisciplinary research in ICT, digitisation, automation, knowledge management, operations leadership, and sustainable project strategies.
    • Built academia industry bridges, prioritised practice‑based research and evidence‑based practice.
    • Led small internal research teams, developed funding proposals, and coordinated publications and dissemination.

November 2021 – August 2023:

Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for MSc-DTSS

School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK

  • Directed the MSc (Apprenticeship) DTSS programme; led modules in Strategic Portfolio Management, Team Dynamics & Leadership, MIS Projects, Consultancy and Innovation Technology, Knowledge Management, Managing Innovation and Change.
  • Owned design and delivery of units; led teaching teams; ensured quality assurance and programme enhancement.
  • Contributed to postgraduate and doctoral provision (UK and TNE), aligning with School strategy and business plan.
  • Participated in QA structures, policy development, and student experience initiatives; represented UWL on external committees and working groups.
  • Coordinated support functions for teaching and personal scholarship; supervised MSc/PhD research.
  • Provided temporary cover as Campus Coordinator, managing teaching planners, operations, and liaison across academic/admin teams.

January 2020 – October 2021:

Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in Project and Operations Management

Department of Strategy and Management, Business School, University of Bedfordshire, UK

  • Led curriculum design, delivery, QA, and development for UG/PG programmes in the Department of Strategy & Management (UK and overseas).
  • Built collaborative partnerships; coordinated academic and administrative processes; supervised MSc/PhD students.
  • Contributed to School management (curriculum planning, research leadership, scholarship); represented the University on external bodies.
  • Coordinated teaching resources and supported student recruitment, registration, induction, and course delivery.
  • Provided interim Campus Coordination to ensure operational continuity and effective stakeholder communication.

October 2018 to December 2019:

University Campus Coordinator (Study Hubs)

Department of Strategy and Management, Business School, University of Bedfordshire, UK

  • Led hub operations and academic coordination across multiple study centres.
  • Managed teaching plans, resource allocation, and daily academic administration.
  • Facilitated student services (transfers, finance, general issues); supported recruitment, registration, induction, and course delivery.

June 2018 to August 2018:

Caretaker Minister for Education, Science, and Information Technology

Department of Education, Science and Technology, Government of Baluchistan, Pakistan

  • Oversaw Secondary & Higher Education, Science & Technology portfolios during the interim government.
  • Assessed education systems and proposed strategic roadmaps for efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Advanced National IT Policy objectives; coordinated computerisation, automation, and process re‑engineering for e‑Government.
  • Achieved the establishment of an Education Management Information System (EMIS) under caretaker remit.

July 2017 to September 2018:

Senior Lecturer Project Management & Course Leader (MSc PM)

Department of Strategy and Management, Business School, University of Bedfordshire, UK

  • Led MSc Project Management; ensured high‑quality learner experience evidenced by outcomes and surveys.
  • Designed curricula and led teaching teams; supervised research; drove income generation and promotion initiatives.
  • Built internal/external collaborations; pursued funded research and publication outputs.

January 2016 to June 2017:

Lecturer in Project Management

Department of Strategy and Management, Business School, University of Bedfordshire, UK

  • Delivered innovative teaching across UG/PG modules; developed curricula, asessments, and learning materials.
  • Led data‑driven analysis of learner outcomes; conducted teaching observations and coaching for trainee teachers.
  • Managed student cohorts; engaged in commercial liaison and business development activities.

August 2010 to December 2015:Senior Training Facilitator - Project Management

Cranfield Management Development Centre, Cranfield University, UK

(Corporate Training - AAXAL Executive project management professionals’ programme)

  • Delivered executive and middle‑management programmes (incl. APMP and PRINCE2) combining workshops, case studies, and hands‑on exercises.
  • Trained participants in planning, estimation, tracking (PPR), communication management, and P3M practices.
  • Developed applied content tailored to real‑world executive challenges; fostered common project management language across teams.

 

January 2009 to July 2010:

Project Manager (Partner World Programme)

World Partner - Biz Integration and Cloud Computing - IBM, London, UK

  • Managed client engagements for cloud‑based business services; advised on web‑based solutions aligned to strategic objectives.
  • Coordinated resources; established communication plans across project teams and stakeholders; supported delivery governance.

June 1999 to December 2008:

Programme Director

PEARL Institute of Management and Information Technology, Quetta – Pakistan

  • Founded and led a multi‑disciplinary institute delivering higher, professional, vocational, and technical education.
  • Directed policy, governance, resource planning, and strategic growth across academic departments.
  • Aligned training modules with institutional academic plans; promoted inter‑ and multi‑disciplinary teaching, research, and development.
  • Provided ongoing strategic consultation to ensure coordination among administration, faculty, students, and parents for quality delivery.

Dr. Nasrullah Khilji possesses extensive teaching experience across multiple academic levels, including doctoral, postgraduate, undergraduate, and executive education. His portfolio encompasses teaching and curriculum design for PhD, MBA, EMBA, MSc, BBA, and BSc programs, as well as professional and executive development courses. His teaching philosophy integrates academic rigor with practical relevance, with a particular emphasis on the strategic application of digital technologies within contemporary organizational contexts.

At the doctoral and postgraduate levels, Dr. Khilji delivers advanced courses in areas such as Project and Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Knowledge Management, Digital Innovation, Digital Marketing, International Business, Sustainability Management, and Strategic Portfolio Management. These courses are designed to foster critical thinking, independent research capabilities, and the ability to synthesize theory with practice in complex and globalized environments. He actively incorporates research-led teaching, case-based learning, and problem-solving approaches to prepare students for both academic and professional leadership roles.

At the undergraduate level, Dr. Khilji teaches a broad range of core and specialized modules, including Project Management, Operations Management, Marketing, Project Finance, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Team Dynamics, and Business Strategy. His approach focuses on building foundational knowledge while enhancing students’ analytical, decision-making, and employability skills. He emphasizes real-world application, collaborative learning, and the development of transferable competencies aligned with industry expectations.

In addition to formal academic teaching, Dr. Khilji has significant experience in designing and delivering executive education and professional development programs tailored to industry needs. These include areas such as Change and Innovation Leadership, Digital Transformation, Knowledge-Driven Organizations, Strategic and Program Management, and Leadership and Team Dynamics. These programs are designed for senior executives and professionals and are characterized by the integration of applied frameworks, industry case studies, and experiential learning methodologies to support organizational transformation and performance improvement.

Overall, Dr. Khilji’s teaching practice is underpinned by a commitment to student-centered learning, innovation in pedagogy, and alignment with industry and research developments, enabling learners at all levels to develop the knowledge, skills, and capabilities required to thrive in dynamic and technology-driven business environments.

Dr. Nasrullah Khan Khilji is an active scholar whose research and academic practice are grounded in the interdisciplinary domains of business innovation and digital transformation. His work focuses on the strategic integration of knowledge management, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance organizational performance, decision-making processes, and sustainable competitive advantage.

A central theme of Dr. Khilji’s research is the application of emerging digital technologies within project management, operations, and strategic management. He examines how organizations can leverage technological capabilities to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and respond effectively to complex and dynamic environments. His work further explores leadership and team dynamics, emphasizing the interplay between human, technological, and organizational factors in enabling successful change management, collaboration, and value creation in digitally enabled contexts.

Dr. Khilji maintains a strong record of scholarly engagement, regularly publishing in peer-reviewed academic journals and presenting at international conferences. He is currently authoring a book titled “Domain Applications of Project Management Knowledge,” which aims to bridge theoretical frameworks with practical applications across diverse sectors. He is also co-author of the chapter “TVET and the Knowledge-Based Economy” published by IntechOpen, contributing to global discourse on technical and vocational education and workforce development.

His recent research and development projects include:

  • Knowledge Management and Technological Innovation for Sustainable Development: Investigating the role of digital technologies in advancing sustainability within construction project management, aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
  • Domain Applications of Project Management Knowledge (DAPMK): A seed-funded initiative aimed at enhancing knowledge transfer and professional skills through collaboration with industry and professional bodies.
  • Soft Skills Acquisition for the Knowledge Economy: Developing policy-informed frameworks to strengthen workforce readiness in technical and vocational education systems.
  • Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Engagement: Implementing blended learning strategies to enhance student engagement and academic performance through digital platforms.
  • Intelli-Student Platform: Co-leading the development of an AI-enabled learning system designed to transform online teaching and learning practices through international collaboration.
  • Technological Innovations in Business Process Management: Conducting systematic research on performance enhancement through digital transformation in organizational processes.

In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Khilji has demonstrated leadership in academic knowledge dissemination and capacity building. He has organized intensive executive seminars and academic development programs focusing on artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cybersecurity, and machine learning. As Chair of the Information Systems and Knowledge Management (ISKM) Research Group, he fostered a vibrant, industry-engaged research culture, positioning the group as a hub for interdisciplinary scholarship in digitalization, innovation, data analytics, cybersecurity, AI, and project portfolio management for sustainable development.

Dr. Khilji has also supervised a substantial number of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral researchers, consistently promoting academic excellence, applied research, and professional development within higher education.

  • Association of Project Management (APM) — Fellow Member since Feb 2020
  • Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) — Member since Oct 2016
  • Advance HE (formerly Higher Education Academy – HEA) — Fellow Member since Sep 2015
  • International Council on Knowledge Management (ICKM) — Member since Sep 2013
  • The Operational Research Society (ORS) — Member since June 2012
  • Chartered Management Institute (CMI) — Member since Mar 2010
  • Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) — Member since Aug 2009
  • Association for Project Safety (APS) — CDM‑Coordinator since July 2008
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) — Licentiate Member since May 2007
  • Association of Overseas Scholarship Training (AOST) — Member since Oct 2002