HomeCollegesCollegesCollege of Technological InnovationFaculty And StaffAbu Dhabi Computing and Applied Technology,ProfilesMohamed El-Attar
Associate Professor

Ph.D. Software Engineering        (University of Alberta, 2009)

B.Eng Computer Systems           (Carleton University, 2003)

Bio

Dr. Mohamed El-Attar completed his B.Eng Computer Systems degree from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 2003. He then completed his Ph.D. in Software Engineering from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 2009. Dr. El-Attar worked in industry in Canada and USA as a software tester and front-end developer, respectively. After a 1.5 years of industrial experience, Dr. Mohamed El-Attar started his academic career at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, KSA, as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted at KFUPM to Associate Professor in only four years. After 6 years at KFUPM, Dr. El-Attar worked one year at Mississippi State University, USA, followed by one more year at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada. Dr. El-Attar, then returned to KSA to work at Alfaisal University where he was the Chair of the Software Engineering department. Dr. El-Attar is now a faculty member at the College of Technological Innovation at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Mohamed El-Attar many undergraduate and graduate courses at various institutions across multiple continents. He supervised a number of graduate students. His research focuses on the two main areas of software modeling and requirements engineering. In particular, his research is concerned with, UML, especially use case models, model consistency assurance, model transformation, human aspects in software modeling and secure software engineering. His research has been published in the most prestigious software engineering journals and conferences such as: IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, Empirical Software Engineering, Information and Software Technology, Systems and Software, Software and Systems Modeling, Secure Software Engineering, Journal of Software: Evolution and Process; and Requirements Engineering

 
Office

Abu Dhabi Campus, FF3-1-017

Phone:

+971 2 599 3209

Email:
Teaching Areas

Software Engineering

Introduction to Programming

Object-Oriented Programming

Web Development

Research and Professional Activities

Research Area(s)

  • Secure Software Engineering
  • Human Aspects in Software Engineering
  • Requirements Engineering
  • Empirical Software Engineering
  • Model-Based Software Engineering

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamedelattar/

DBLP: https://dblp.uni-trier.de/pid/82/6719.html

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tZUxMm4AAAAJ&hl=en

Refereed journal papers

  • M. El-Attar, “On the Accessibility of the Greyscale Version of a PoN-Enabled Use Case Notation,” Journal of Software: Evolution and Process – Wiley, 2024, in-print.
  • M. El-Attar, “Evaluating the Accessibility of a PoN-Enabled Misuse Case Notation by the Red-Green Colorblind Community,” Journal of Software and Systems Modeling – Springer, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 247-272, 2023.
  • M. El-Attar, “Empirically Evaluating the Effect of the Physics of Notations on Model Construction,” IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering – IEEE Computer Society, vol. 48, no. 7, pp. 2455-2475, 2022.
  • M. El-Attar, “Are Models Better Read on Paper or on Screen? A Comparative Study,” Journal of Software and Systems Modeling – Springer, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 1531-1550, 2022.
  • N. Nasser, N. Khan, L. Karim, M. El-Attar, K. Saleh, “An Efficient Time-Sensitive Data Scheduling Approach for Wireless Sensor Networks in Smart Cities,” Computer Communications – Elsevier, vol. 175, pp. 112-122, 2021.
  • H. U. Khan, M. Niazi, M. El-Attar, N. Ikram, S. U. Khan, A. Q. Gill, "Empirical Investigation of Critical Requirements Engineering Practices for Global Software Development," IEEE Access – IEEE no. 9, pp. 93593-93613, 2021.
  • M. El-Attar, “Evaluating and Empirically Improving the Visual Syntax of Use Case Diagrams,” Journal of Systems and Software – Elsevier, vol. 158, pp.136-163, 2019.
  • M. El-Attar, “A Comparative Study of Students and Professionals in Syntactical Model Comprehension Experiments,” Journal of Software and Systems Modeling – Springer, vol. 18, no. 8, pp. 3283-3329, 2019.
  • M. Saeed, F. Saleh, S. Alinsaif, M. El-Attar, “Empirical Validating the Cognitive Effectiveness of a New Feature Diagrams Visual Syntax,” Information and Software Technology – Elsevier, vol. 71, pp. 1-26, 2016.
  • M. El-Attar, H. A. Abdul-Ghani, “Using Security Robustness Analysis for Early-Stage Validation of Functional Security Requirements,” Requirements Engineering Journal – Springer, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 1-27, 2016.
  • Y. Khan, M. El-Attar, “Using Model Transformation to Refactor Use Case Models based on Antipatterns,” Information Systems Frontiers – Springer, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 171-204, 2016.
  • M. El-Attar, H. Luqman, P. Karpati, G. Sindre, A. Opdahl, “Extending the UML Statecharts Notation to Model Security Aspects,” IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering – IEEE Computer Society, vol. 41, no. 7, pp. 661- 690, 2015.
  • F. Saleh, M. El-Attar, “A Scientific Evaluation of the Misuse Case Diagrams Visual Syntax” Information and Software Technology – Elsevier, vol. 66, pp. 73-96, 2015.
  • M. El-Attar, “Supporting Consistency During the Development and Evolution of Quality Unified Use-Misuse Case Models,” International Journal of Secure Software Engineering – IGI Global, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 1-31, 2015.
  • M. El-Attar, “Using SMCD to Reduce Inconsistencies in Misuse Case Models:  A Subject-Based Empirical Evaluation,” Journal of Systems and Software – Elsevier, vol. 87, no.1, pp. 104-118, 2014.
  • M. El-Attar, “From Misuse Cases to Mal-Activity Diagrams: Bridging the Gap between Functional Security Analysis and Design,” Journal of Software and Systems Modeling – Springer, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 173-190, 2014.
  • M. El-Attar, “Towards Developing Consistent Misuse Case Models,” Journal of Systems and Software – Elsevier, vol. 85, no. 2, pp. 323-339, 2012.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “Constructing High Quality Use Case Models: A Systematic Review of Current Practices,” Requirements Engineering Journal – Springer, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 187-201, 2012.
  • M. El-Attar, “A Framework for Improving Quality in Misuse Case Models,” Business Process Management Journal – Emerald Publishing, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 168-196, 2012.
  • M. El-Attar, R. Singh, J. Miller, “Embracing Composite Metrics in Software Experiments,” Journal of Software – Academy Publisher, vol. 7, no. 7, pp. 1664-1676, 2012.
  • M. El-Attar, M. O. Elish, S. Mahmood, J. Miller, “Is In-Depth Object-Oriented Knowledge Necessary to Develop Quality Robustness Diagrams?” Journal of Software – Academy Publisher, vol. 7, no. 11, pp. 2538-2552, 2012.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “Developing Comprehensive Acceptance Tests from Use Cases and Robustness Diagrams,” Requirements Engineering Journal – Springer, vol. 15, no.3, pp. 285-306, 2010.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “Improving the Quality of Use Case Modeling Using Antipatterns,” Journal of Software and Systems Modeling – Springer, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 141-160, 2010.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “A Subject-Based Empirical Evaluation of SSUCD’s Performance in Reducing Inconsistencies in Use Case Models,” Empirical Software Engineering Journal – Springer, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 477-512, 2009.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “Producing Robust Use Case Diagrams via Reverse Engineering of Use Case Descriptions,” Journal of Software and Systems Modeling – Springer, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 97-83, 2008.
  • M. El Attar, J. Miller, “A User-Centered Approach to Modeling BPEL Business Processes Using SUCD Use Cases,” e-Informatica Software Engineering Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 59-76, 2007.
  • M. Xiao, M. El-Attar, M. Reformat, J. Miller, “Empirical Evaluation of Optimization Algorithms When Used in Goal-oriented Automated Test Data Generation Techniques,” Empirical Software Engineering Journal – Springer, vol. 12, no. 2, 183-239, 2007.

Papers in refereed conference proceedings

  • M. El-Attar, N. Nasser, “Refactoring Misuse Case Diagrams Using Model Transformation”, 14th International Conference on Evaluation of Novel Approaches to Software Engineering (ENASE’19), Crete, Greece, 2019.
  • N. Nasser, N. Khan, M. El-Attar, K. Saleh, A. Abujamous, “An Efficient Data Scheduling Scheme for Cloud-based Big Data Framework for Smart City”, IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), Hawaii, USA, 2019.
  • M. Saeed, F. Saleh, S. Al-Insiaf, M. El-Attar, “Evaluating the Cognitive Effectiveness of the Visual Syntax of Feature Diagrams”, 1st Asia Pacific Requirements Engineering Symposium (APRES’14), Auckland, New Zealand, 2014.
  • S. Anwer, M. El-Attar, “An Evaluation of the Statechart Diagrams Visual Syntax”, 5th IEEE International Conference on Information Science and Applications (ICISA’14), Seoul, South Korea, 2014.
  • R. Ahmed, D. Musleh, M. Ahmed, M. El-Attar, “Use Case Prioritization using Fuzzy Logic System”, 5th IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Service Science (ICSESS’14), Beijing, China, 2014.
  • M. El-Attar, H. A. AbdulGhani, “Using Ex-SMCD for Developing Consistent Misuse Case Models with Extended Notation,” 3rd International Symposium on Business Modeling and Software Design (BMSD’13), Noorwijkerhout, Netherlands, pp. 140-148, 2013.
  • M. El-Attar, “Using SSUCD to Develop Consistent Use Case Models: An Industrial Case Study,” 7th International Conference on Software Engineering Advances (ICSEA’12), Lisbon, Portugal, pp. 172-178, 2012.
  • M. Niazi, M. El-Attar, M. Usman, N. Ikram, “An Empirical Study Identifying High Perceived Value Requirements Engineering Practices in Global Software Development Projects,” 7th International Conference on Software Engineering Advances (ICSEA’12), Lisbon, Portugal, pp. 283-288, 2012.
  • Y. Khan, M. El-Attar, “A Model Transformation Approach towards Refactoring Use Case Models Based on Antipatterns,” 21st International Conference on Software Engineering and Data Engineering (SEDE’12), Los Angeles, California, USA, pp. 49-54, 2012. (Best Paper Award)
  • M. El-Attar, M. S. Bin Salman, “Using SMCD to Develop Consistent Misuse Case Models: An Industrial Case Study,” 21st International Conference on Software Engineering and Data Engineering (SEDE’12), Los Angeles, California, USA, pp. 27-30, 2012.
  • M. El-Attar, M. Niazi, M. Alsaleh, K. Halawani, “Are Use Case Modeling Features Underutilized? A Lightweight Survey That Raises Concerns,” 7th International Conference on Evaluation of Novel Approaches to Software Engineering, (ENASE’12), Wroclaw, Poland, pp. 203-206, 2012.
  • Y. Khan, M. El-Attar, “Automated Transformation of Use Case Maps to UML Activity Diagrams,” 7th International Conference on Software Paradigm Trends (ICSOFT’12), Rome, Italy, pp. 184-189, 2012.
  • M. Niazi, M. El-Attar, M. Usman, N. Ikram, “GlobReq: A Framework for Improving Requirements Engineering in Global Software Development Projects: Preliminary Results,” 16th International Conference on Evaluation & Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE’12), Ciudad Real, Spain, pp. 166-170, 2012.
  • Y. Khan, M. O. Elish, M. El-Attar, “A Systematic Review on the Impact of CK Metrics on the Functional Correctness of Object-Oriented Classes,” 12th International Conference on Computational Science and Applications (ICCSA’12), Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, pp. 258-273, 2012.
  • M. W. Kamal, M. Ahmed, M. El-Attar, “Use Case-Based Effort Estimation Approaches: A Comparison Criteria,” 2nd International Conference on Software Engineering and Computer Systems (ICSECS’11), Pahang, Malaysia, pp. 735-754, 2011.
  • M. El-Attar, “A Systematic Approach to Assemble Sequence Diagrams from Use Case Scenarios,” International Conference on Systems Engineering and Modeling (ICSEM’11), Shanghai, China, pp. 171-175, 2011.
  • M. El-Attar, I. Ahmed, “Improving Quality in Misuse Case Models: A Risk-Based Approach,” 4th Annual ACIS International Conference on Computer and Information Science (ACIS-ICIS’11), Sanya, Hainan Island, China, pp. 337-342, 2011.
  • M. El-Attar, “UseCaseDiff: An Algorithm for Differencing Use Case Models,” 10th ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering, Research, Management and Applications (SERA’11), Baltimore, Maryland, USA, pp. 148-152, 2011.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “Migrating Functional Requirements in SSUCD Use Cases to a More Formal Representation,” 6th International Conference on Software Engineering Advances (ICSEA’11), Barcelona, Spain, pp. 487-493, 2011. (Best Paper Award)
  • M. El-Attar, “Developing Precise Misuse Cases with Security Robustness Analysis,” 22nd International Conference on Software Engineering & Knowledge Engineering (SEKE’10), San Francisco, California, USA, pp. 571-576, 2010.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “AGADUC: Towards a More Precise Presentation of Functional Requirements in Use Case Models,” 4th ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering, Research, Management and Applications (SERA’06), Seattle, Washington, USA, pp. 346-353, 2006.
  • M. El-Attar, J. Miller, “Matching Antipatterns to Improve the Quality of Use Case Models,” 14th IEEE International Requirements Engineering Conference (RE’06), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA pp. 96-105, 2006.

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