• MA in Education, Leadership and Management, Middlesex University (2012)
• MA in English Literature, Kinnaird College, Pakistan
• Advanced Training in Coaching, Graydin (2017)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE), Middlesex University (2015)
• TESOL Certification, London Teacher Training Centre (2010)
• Master Trainer, iEARN (International Education and Research Network) (2008)

Awards and achievements

• Middlesex Post Graduate Award for Outstanding Performance (2012-13)

Membership of professional bodies and associations

• Fellow at Higher Education Academy (2015 till present)

Research interests

• Use of technology in education
• Teaching of English as a second language

Selected Publications

• Abonil, M., Umar, F., and Warner, R. (2017)  The incorporation of Self-Discovery as a feature of the induction process. In S. Abu-Rmaileh, A. Elsheikh, and S. Al Alami (Eds.), Motivation and classroom management: Theory, practice, and innovation. TESOL Arabia.

• Umar, F. (2015) Professional development in the 21^st century: The emerging need to develop a collaborative and connected learning community. Second 21^st Century academic forum conference at Harvard: Teaching, learning and research in the “Just Google it’ age. Harvard University, Boston. 8-10 March, 2015. Martin Conference Centre: Harvard University (pp.102-105).

• King, M., Smith, L. and Umar, F. (2014)  Developing Leadership Skills through Participation in Insider Action Research. In C. Coombe,  B. Wiens, P. Davidson,  & K. Cedro. (eds.) Perspectives on Student Leadership Development. TESOL Arabia Publications: Dubai. (pp. 134-147).

• Edensor, L. and Umar, F. (2013) Facebook in Academia: the yellow brick road or a highway through the danger zone? In A. Karnik, A. Epps,  and K.Sanderson. (eds) Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences 2013: Proceedings of the Second International ERPBSS Conference. Middlesex University Dubai, UAE. 26-28 November, 2013. ISBN: 978-9948-20-593-7