Dr. Anas Najdawi: A Leader Shaping Digital Innovation in UAE Higher Education

Dr. Anas R. Najdawi serves as the Director of Abu Dhabi University's Dubai Campus and Senior Associate Professor of Digital Business. With a career spanning institutions across the Middle East, including the University of Jordan and Princess Sumaya University, he brings deep expertise in digital transformation, management information systems (MIS), web technologies, and information system security. His Google Scholar profile boasts over 214 citations, reflecting impactful research on topics like e-payment adoption in the UAE and big data analytics in higher education.

At Abu Dhabi University (ADU), Dr. Najdawi mentors projects with the Ministry of Education, Huawei, and SAP, preparing students for the digital economy. Recently featured in the 'Thought Leaders in Higher Ed' podcast, he shared profound insights on the UAE's higher education ecosystem, emphasizing its global underappreciation.

His involvement in the 'Future Proofing of Dubai Workforce' initiative with Dubai Government and McKinsey underscores his commitment to aligning education with UAE's economic vision. For those exploring careers in UAE academia, opportunities abound at institutions like ADU via higher-ed-jobs.

Why UAE's Higher Education Ecosystem Remains Underestimated Globally

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) boasts a vibrant higher education landscape, yet it often flies under the global radar. Dr. Najdawi highlights that international observers overlook the seamless integration of universities with national priorities such as artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and digital economy growth. Unlike traditional models, UAE institutions operate in close proximity to industry hubs like Dubai, fostering unmatched agility.

This responsiveness stems from the UAE's strategic location and visionary policies. While legacy universities elsewhere rely on prestige, UAE higher education prioritizes practical relevance, making it a model for workforce-ready graduates. Students choose programs based on career outcomes rather than brand alone, a shift Dr. Najdawi notes as key to sustainability.

The ecosystem's strength lies in its holistic approach: universities aren't silos but nodes in a national knowledge network. This underestimation ignores how UAE campuses drive innovation amid rapid economic diversification.

Alignment with UAE's National Priorities: AI, Sustainability, and Beyond

UAE higher education is deeply embedded in the nation's UAE Centennial 2071 vision, focusing on knowledge-based economy pillars. Dr. Najdawi points to AI, sustainability, and digital transformation as core alignments. Institutions like Khalifa University and UAE University (UAEU) lead in research output, with UAEU contributing 17% of national scientific publications.

Programs emphasize employability, with curricula co-developed alongside sectors like fintech and renewable energy. This ensures graduates meet demands in Dubai's International Financial Centre or Abu Dhabi's Masdar City. For aspiring faculty, UAE academic positions offer pathways to contribute.

• AI integration: Personalized learning and research acceleration.
• Sustainability focus: Courses on green tech and climate resilience.
• Digital economy: MIS and cybersecurity programs mirroring industry needs.

Proximity to Industry: Dubai's Dynamic Hub Fuels Agility

Dubai's status as a global business epicenter gives UAE universities a competitive edge. Dr. Najdawi explains that campus proximity to enterprises enables real-time curriculum updates and internships. ADU's Dubai Campus exemplifies this, partnering with DAMAC Group for professional excellence.

This ecosystem creates practical exposure, differentiating UAE from prestige-focused systems. Students gain hands-on experience in free zones like Dubai Internet City, boosting employability rates above 90% for many graduates.

Stakeholders benefit: Industry accesses talent pipelines, while universities secure funding and relevance. Explore university jobs in this thriving environment.

Relevance Trumps Prestige: Student Priorities in UAE Higher Ed

In the UAE, students weigh practical value over historical prestige. Dr. Najdawi stresses that reputation opens doors, but relevance ensures longevity. With record 57,035 new admissions in 2025/26 across 66 institutions, demand surges for outcome-oriented programs.

International enrollment could hit 120,000 by 2030, drawn by career alignment. Factors include accreditation, industry ties, and alumni success. Rate professors at UAE unis via rate-my-professor.

Photo by Massimo Basso on Unsplash

Cultivating Unreplicable Culture: The Heart of UAE Campuses

Dr. Najdawi identifies culture as the most difficult asset to replicate. At ADU Dubai, fostering belonging, trust, and shared purpose creates a supportive environment. This intangible draws students and faculty, enhancing retention and innovation.

Leadership plays pivotal role: Transparent communication and inclusive policies build community. In UAE's diverse setting, with students from 170+ nationalities, cultural agility thrives. Seek career advice at higher-ed-career-advice.

From Good to Great: Building Integrated Campus Ecosystems

A great UAE campus transcends programs, forming ecosystems linking education, industry, research, entrepreneurship, and community. Dr. Najdawi envisions transformation at these intersections. ADU's initiatives, like AI-Enhanced Teaching certificates, exemplify this.

Examples: UAEU's sustainability leadership, University of Sharjah topping UAE in law and social sciences per THE 2026. This model positions UAE as MENA hub.

• Research-application bridges.
• Entrepreneurship incubators.
• Community outreach programs.

AI as Catalyst: Strategic Adoption in UAE Universities

Dr. Najdawi views AI not as threat but enhancer for personalization, analytics, and assessments. UAE leads with mandates like AI training for undergrads. Institutions adapt thoughtfully, maintaining academic integrity.

Challenges: Ethical use, faculty upskilling. Solutions: Partnerships with Huawei, SAP. Future: AI-driven research acceleration. Check faculty positions.

Abu Dhabi University's Meteoric Rise in Global Rankings

ADU exemplifies UAE's ascent: 201-250 THE World 2026 (1st UAE teaching), 391 QS 2026 (up 110 spots), 11th QS Arab Region. MBA ranks 151-200 QS Global.

Achievements: Accreditations, research hubs, alumni success. Under Dr. Najdawi's leadership, Dubai Campus drives digital excellence.

UAE's Record Enrollment and Research Dominance

2025/26 saw highest intake in decade: 57k new students. UAE dominates QS Arab 2026 (9 in top 25), UAEU 229 QS Global (up 32). Market grows USD 5.1B by 2029.

Research: UAEU leads publications. Projections: 120k intl students by 2030.

Photo by SnapSaga on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Agility, Transformation, and Global Leadership

Dr. Najdawi forecasts sustained growth through agility. UAE must nurture ecosystems, embrace AI, prioritize relevance. Challenges: Talent retention, funding. Solutions: Public-private partnerships, intl collaborations.

Stakeholder perspectives: Students seek outcomes, faculty innovation, industry talent. Implications: UAE as knowledge superpower. Outlook: Top global ranks by 2030.

Actionable Insights and Calls to Engagement

Students: Choose relevance-aligned programs. Faculty: Build cultural ecosystems. Institutions: Leverage AI strategically. Explore rate-my-professor, higher-ed-jobs, higher-ed-career-advice, university-jobs, UAE opportunities.

Watch Dr. Najdawi's podcast for deeper dive: Thought Leaders in Higher Ed.