Razi University

With Dr. Hadi Sharifi; Successful Graduate of Razi University

From Razi to Intel, from Intel to PayPal

On Sunday, December 28, 2025, Razi University hosted one of its successful graduates. Dr. Hadi Sharifi, a former graduate of the Computer Engineering Department at Razi University, who obtained his Master's and Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from New Mexico State University. He worked for over 10 years at the renowned company Intel as a software engineer and system architect, and is currently employed at the prestigious company PayPal as a Senior Software Architect in the field of Generative AI (GenAI).

Key points from the speech:

Emphasis on educational foundations in Iranian universities: Dr. Sharifi highlighted the high quality of fundamental courses (such as programming and data structures, etc.) in Iranian universities in past decades, considering this rigor as a facilitator for his graduate studies in the United States.

Entrepreneurship priority over corporate employment: He stated that if he could go back 20 years, instead of joining large corporations, he would establish a technology company; describing this approach as the optimal strategy for leveraging innovative talents.

Practical limitations of Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is an efficient tool that can automate up to 90% of routine tasks, but the remaining 10%, involving creative aspects and complex decision-making, still requires human intervention. In the past, managers viewed AI as a complete replacement for engineering manpower, but recent experiences indicate a revision in this mindset.

Hiring preference for AI-literate professionals: In the selection process, companies prefer candidates proficient in AI when choosing between two equally qualified individuals; this distinction, based on the integration of engineering knowledge with intelligent tools, creates a competitive advantage.

Competitive challenges faced by Intel: Intel lags strategically against competitors such as AMD and Nvidia, particularly in parallel processing and AI acceleration; this issue stems from a traditional focus on CPUs, while Nvidia's GPUs have dominated the AI market.

Razi University extends its appreciation to Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadi, esteemed faculty member of the Computer Engineering Department, for expanding scientific diplomacy with the university's graduates who are now among the elite Iranian diaspora.