Prof. Dr. Syed Altaf Hussain is a renowned educationist and scientist who started his career in 1971 as a lecturer of Chemistry at the University of Balochistan, Quetta. He did his M Sc, Organic Chemistry from the University of Sindh with first class first position winning a Gold medal for securing highest marks in the Science Faculty. He is a Ph D in Organic Chemistry from Chelsea College University of London, UK and a Post-Doctoral scholar of  Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge USA. He has a number of research publications to his credit in the journals of international repute.

 Having served University of Balochistan Quetta in different capacities from a lecturer to Professor of Chemistry and a Head of the Department to Dean Faculty of Science, Dr. Altaf in 1995 joined the erstwhile University Grants Commission, Islamabad as Advisor Curriculum and Training in BPS-21. In 1999 he was elevated to the position of Member (Whole Time) in BPS-22. In the year 2001 Dr. Altaf was appointed as Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University by the President of Pakistan and the Chancellor of the Allama Iqbal Open University. After completing his tenure as Vice Chancellor he joined back Higher Education Commission Islamabad, the parent organization as Member Academic and Research in BPS-22.

 Inspired by Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman’s idea of establishing Universities of Engineering, Sciences and Technology (UESTP) in collaboration with scientifically advanced countries Dr. Altaf joined UESTP-France in September 2006 as its Project Director. The Pakistan Marine Academy according to an agreement with the Higher Education Commission and the Ministry of Ports and Shipping is to be transformed into a Faculty of UESTP-France. In November 2007, Dr. Altaf was appointed as Head of Pakistan Marine Academy in addition to his responsibilities as the Project Director UESTP-France.

In recognition of his services in the field of Education, on 23^rd March 2001  Dr. Altaf received the prestigious award of Pride of Performance from the President of Pakistan.