Raouf Boutaba
Director, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
University Professor, FRSC, FIEEE, FIEC, FCAE
University of Waterloo
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Network Intelligence (2025–2032)
Inaugural Rogers Research Chair in Network Automation (2024–2029)
Office: DC 3532
200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario
Canada, N2L 3G1
Tel: +1 519 888 4820
Fax: +1 519 885 1208
Email: rboutaba__at__uwaterloo.ca
Administrative Assistant:
Tracy Dietrich (tdietrich__at__uwaterloo.ca)
+1 519 888 4567 x46003
Research Interests
My research interests are focused primarily on the management of networks, systems and services, and on resource management in wired and wireless networks. Current research projects include AI-driven 5G/6G network slice management and orchestration, machine learning for network management and cybersecurity, network virtualization and softwarization, and quantum networking.
What's New
- May 2026: Dr. Boutaba sat on an experts panel to discuss "AI for Networks and Networks for AI" at the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) International Workshop on Future Networks, Carleton University, Ottawa, May 6, 2026.
- April 2026: Dr. Boutaba organizes the third Rogers TEP Workshop on Transport Networks as part of the Rogers Chair in Network Automation.
- November 2025: The paper "Resource Scaling of 5G Slices using Constrained Reinforcement Learning", received the 2025 ComSoc CNOM Best Paper Award.
- November 2025: Dr. Boutaba gives a keynote speech titled "The Evolution of Network Virtualization: Past Achievements, Present Landscape, and Future Horizons" at the 3rd IEEE IEEE Virtual Conference on Communications , Virtual Conference, November 5, 2025.
- October 2025: Dr. Boutaba to sit on experts panel to discuss "Sustainable Network Management in the Age of AI: Reducing Power Consumption and Carbon Footprint" at the 2025 IEEE/IFIP 21st International Conference on Network and Service Management (CNSM), Bologna, Italy, October 30, 2025.
- August 2025: Dr. Boutaba gives a keynote speech titled "Network Slicing: Past, Present and Moving Forward" at the 18th IEEE Colombian Conference on Communications and Computing (ColCom) , Popayan, Colombia, August 14, 2025.
- June 2025: Dr. Boutaba gives a keynote speech titled "Securing the Future: Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions for Softwarized and Virtualized 5G and Beyond Networks" at the International Workshop on Cyber-Security Threats, Trust and Privacy management in Software-defined and Virtualized Infrastructures (SecSoft) , co-located with IEEE NetSoft, Budapest, Hungary, June 27, 2025.
- June 2025: Dr. Boutaba gives a keynote speech titled "Zero-touch Networks: Past, Present, and Future" at the International Balkan Conference on Communications and Networking (BalkanCom). Piraeus, Greece, June 18, 2025.
- May 2025: Dr. Boutaba to sit on experts panel to discuss "AI-based Orchestration Technologies" at the 2025 IEEE/IFIP Network Operations and Management Symposium (NOMS), Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, May 13, 2025.