Syed S Hyder Ph.D


Gerald Ratzer introduced his colleague Dr. Syed Hyder. They first met in the 60’s! Dr Hyder was a member of the team that proposed the School of Computer Science at McGill, which was eventually established in 1970. His own research in the computer processing of script languages has led to many patents. Companies such as Siemens in Germany and Comterm here in Montreal have used these patents for devices to allow the input, transmission and display of Arabic text. This work has continued with an order of magnitude improvement in the handling of high quality calligraphy for any script writing. A demonstration of the new technology has been made to Microsoft, but they would not sign a technology agreement. Proposals have been made to the Pentagon, the RCMP/CIS, and the Jang Group of newspapers to exploit the technology.


Syed S Hyder received a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics/Engineering Science from McGill University in 1964 where he became an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering. He won the NATO award for advanced research in Computer Science at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. On his return to McGill he initiated and worked on a project to set up Computer Science at the University. In 1966 he was requested to join the newly created department of Informatique (Computer Science) at the Universite de Montreal. As the first Professor in that discipline he planned and developed the program. Dr. Hyder was invited by the Universite’ Paris VI (Pierre et Marie Curie) as a Senior Research Professor for the year 1973-74. Two years after his return from Paris, he was appointed full Professor of Computer Science at the Universite’ de Montreal. In 1983 he took a position as full Professor of Computer Science at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran Saudi Arabia. In 1990 Dr. Hyder worked in Washington D.C. as Research Director on a National Institute of Health project on Computer Modeling of Human Genetics. He joined Concordia University in 1991, as a Visiting Scientist and Professor.


Syed S Hyder

Currently he is Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at McGill University, of which he was one of the founders.  He does research in Artificial Intelligence, Expert Systems and Mathematical Logic.  Prof. Hyder has developed an AI based system for high quality calligraphic printing of AFU languages, the Naskh script for the Arabic language and the Nastalique script for the Farsi-Urdu language.

Prof. Hyder has the distinction of pioneering in 1973, the theory and system for printing and communicating in Arabic, Farsi and Urdu (AFU), family of languages. It was supported by the International Development Research Center, in the development of bilingual computer display terminals, tele-printers and typewriters to work simultaneously in AFU languages and English. Prof. Hyder has to his credits over 20 patents and several publications in this field.

The Arabic systems theory developed by Dr. Hyder is the basis of the ASMO standard, for Teleprinter and Computer Arabization. Technologies developed by Dr. Hyder have been licensed to several product manufacturers such as Siemens AG, AEG-Olympia Werke AG, Alis, Comterm, etc.

Dr. Hyder and his work on Arabization and Artificial Intelligence were presented to the highest authorities in Saudi Arabia by the Rector of the University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran. He was given an award for research excellence at that University. On the occasion of Canada’s 125-year celebrations, he received an award for excellence in Academia and Research from the Canadian Government.

Source: Wednesday Night Page & Gerald Ratzer