KARACHI, February 24, 2026 – The 8th edition of the Global Conference on Wireless and Optical Technologies (GCWOT’26) concluded successfully in Málaga, Spain, bringing together leading researchers, academics, and industry experts from around the world. The three-day international conference was led and hosted by the University of Málaga (UMA), Spain, in collaboration with its international academic partners including Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET), Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), UIT University, Salim Habib University, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology, and other global collaborators. Over the years, GCWOT has evolved into a respected platform for advancing research in wireless, optical, underwater, and emerging communication technologies, and its 8th edition further strengthened its global standing.
The opening ceremony was graced by H.E. Dr. Zahoor Ahmed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Spain, as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by Engr. Muhammad Ali Asghar, Trade & Investment Counsellor.
In his address, the Ambassador underscored the strategic importance of international academic collaboration in driving innovation, sustainable development, and technological advancement. He particularly appreciated that Vice Chancellors of three universities participated in person, describing their presence as a strong demonstration of institutional commitment to global research partnerships. He commended the leadership of the University of Málaga for successfully hosting and leading the conference and praised the General Chairs and Technical Program Committee Chairs for their vision, dedication, and efforts in maintaining high academic standards. He emphasized that platforms like GCWOT play a vital role in strengthening ties between Europe and South Asia while fostering meaningful cooperation in science, technology, and environmental sustainability.
GCWOT’26 received an impressive 169 submissions from researchers representing 23 countries, reflecting its growing international reach and reputation. The participating countries included Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Nepal, Germany, Canada, Russia, Qatar, Algeria, Australia, Saudi Arabia, India, Italy, Ireland, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Spain, and Pakistan. Following a rigorous peer-review process, 78 papers were accepted, resulting in a selective and respectable acceptance rate of approximately 46 percent. A total of 316 authors contributed to the accepted papers, demonstrating strong global scholarly engagement and collaborative research efforts across continents.
The technical program was structured over three days. The first day featured the opening ceremony, one keynote speech, and 24 technical presentations. Day two included two keynote speeches and 24 technical presentations, while the final day concluded with one keynote speech and 30 technical presentations, bringing the total number of presented papers to 78. In total, the conference hosted four keynote speeches and 78 technical presentations covering cutting-edge research in wireless communications, optical systems, underwater technologies, ICT applications, and emerging solutions addressing technological and environmental challenges. The breadth and depth of the program highlighted the interdisciplinary and forward-looking nature of the conference.
Prominent participants included Prof. Dr. Enrique Nava Baro, Vice Rector for Mobility & International Affairs, University of Málaga; Prof. Dr. Pablo Otero Roth, Director, Institute of Oceanography, University of Málaga; Prof. Dr. M. Afzal Haque, Vice Chancellor, SSUET; Prof. Dr. Tauha Hussain Ali, Vice Chancellor, MUET; Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin, Vice Chancellor, UIT University Karachi; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zeeshan ul Haque, Dean, Salim Habib University; Dr. Muhammad Kashif Shaikh, Chairperson Computer Science, SSUET; Dr. Abdul Moid Khan, Director IT & Assistant Professor, SSUET; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aamir, Dean, SSUET; and Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, Lead Person Erasmus+ Projects, MUET and Engr Muhamamad Zakir Shaikh Director NCRA Lab MUET. Their participation further strengthened the academic leadership and international profile of the conference.
All accepted and presented papers will be submitted for publication in IEEE Xplore, with the publication timeline scheduled for April 2026, ensuring global dissemination and visibility of the research contributions. As the 8th edition of the series, GCWOT’26 reaffirmed its role as a competitive and internationally recognized forum that promotes high-quality research, academic excellence, and cross-border collaboration. Under the leadership of the University of Málaga and with the active participation of its international partners, the conference successfully advanced dialogue, innovation, and cooperation in wireless and optical technologies, further strengthening global academic and research networks.
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