Abu Dhabi University Celebrates Six Principal Fellows in Teaching Excellence

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has marked a significant achievement in higher education by having six of its academics recognized as Principal Fellows by Advance HE, the UK's leading authority on advancing excellence in teaching and learning. This prestigious accolade, the highest level of professional recognition for educators worldwide, underscores ADU's unwavering commitment to elevating pedagogical standards across the United Arab Emirates' university landscape. The recent conferments highlight how UAE institutions are positioning themselves as global leaders in fostering innovative, student-centered education.

The Principal Fellows include Dr. Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence; Dr. Mohammad Fteiha, Director of the Al Ain Campus; Dr. Sreethi Nair, Dean of the College of Arts, Education, and Social Sciences; Dr. Mohammed Razik Parakandi, Director of Academic Quality and Accreditation; Dr. Muhammad Usman Tariq Kazi, Associate Professor in the College of Business; and Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Associate Professor in the College of Engineering. Their accomplishments reflect strategic leadership that extends beyond individual classrooms to institutional transformation.

Understanding the Principal Fellowship: A Global Benchmark for Educators

The Principal Fellowship, denoted as PFHEA (Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy), is awarded by Advance HE to academics who demonstrate a sustained record of strategic impact on teaching and learning. Unlike lower tiers such as Associate Fellow or Fellow, it requires evidence of leadership that influences policy, curriculum design, and professional development at institutional, national, or international levels. Recipients must align their practice with the UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF), which emphasizes six areas: designing learning, teaching, assessment, curriculum, engaging diverse students, and leading change.

In the UAE context, where higher education has expanded rapidly—enrolling over 140,000 students across 70 institutions—this recognition validates efforts to internationalize teaching practices. Advance HE reports that the UAE boasts over 1,000 fellows across nearly 50 universities, with institutions like HCT holding 471 fellows, representing nearly half of the national total. For ADU, these six PFHEAs elevate its profile among the top UAE universities striving for QS and Times Higher Education rankings.

Spotlight on ADU's Principal Fellows: Leaders Driving Change

Dr. Hamad Odhabi, with over 25 years in higher education, integrates artificial intelligence into operational excellence, pioneering AI-enhanced teaching certificates at ADU. His fellowship recognizes how he fosters adaptive learning environments amid technological disruption.

Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, a Chartered Scientist, champions environmental health and safety education in engineering. Her strategic initiatives promote sustainability literacy, aligning with UAE's Green Agenda 2030. As one of few women in this elite group, she exemplifies inclusive leadership.

Dr. Muhammad Usman Tariq Kazi transformed business education through reflective practices and mentorship, adapting curricula for diverse learners during the pandemic. His work emphasizes collective faculty growth and student-centered innovation.

The other fellows—Dr. Fteiha, Dr. Nair, and Dr. Parakandi—have spearheaded campus-wide accreditation, interdisciplinary curricula, and quality assurance, contributing to ADU's rise to among the top 250 global universities per Times Higher Education 2026.

• Dr. Mohammad Fteiha: Campus leadership enhancing regional access to quality education.
• Dr. Sreethi Nair: Integrating arts and social sciences for holistic student development.
• Dr. Mohammed Razik Parakandi: Ensuring alignment with international accreditation standards.

ADU's Institutional Strategy: Over 120 Fellows and Counting

ADU's journey with Advance HE began in 2017, embedding fellowships into its culture. Today, over 120 staff hold recognitions, from Associate to Principal levels. This surpasses many peers and supports employability strategies, with graduates boasting high placement rates in UAE's knowledge economy. Partnerships like those with Advance HE have yielded accredited programs, fostering a community of practice that shares best methods via retreats and forums.

Chancellor Prof. Ghassan Aouad emphasizes these fellowships as key to preparing future leaders, integrating PSF into faculty development. This approach has boosted student satisfaction and outcomes, vital as UAE aims for 90% graduate employability by 2030.

Photo by Steward Masweneng on Unsplash

UAE's Push for World-Class Teaching: National Context

The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) prioritizes teaching excellence under the UAE Centennial 2071, investing AED 1 billion annually in higher ed reforms. Programs like the Teaching Excellence Framework inspire fellowships, with UAE unis leading MENA in Advance HE recognitions. HCT's 471 fellows exemplify scale, while ADU's principal cluster signals depth.

MoE initiatives emphasize outcomes over rankings, mirroring PFHEA's focus. This has propelled UAE unis into global top 500, with ADU at 250th.

Impacts on Students and Faculty: Real-World Outcomes

PFHEA holders at ADU report enhanced student engagement via AI tools, flipped classrooms, and inclusive assessments. Dr. Odhabi's AI hubs personalize learning, reducing dropout by 15%. Dr. Ajaj's sustainability modules prepare engineers for net-zero goals.

Faculty benefit from peer networks, elevating UAE higher ed's reputation.

Challenges in UAE Higher Ed and PFHEA Solutions

Despite growth, challenges persist: diverse student bodies (70% international), rapid tech shifts, and faculty retention. PFHEA addresses these via strategic leadership training. ADU's model—mandatory fellowship pathways—has improved retention by 20%.

• Diversifying pedagogy for multicultural cohorts.
• AI ethics in teaching.
• Measuring long-term employability.

Future Outlook: Elevating UAE Globally

With MoE's 2026-2029 strategy emphasizing excellence, expect more PFHEAs. ADU plans 200 fellows by 2028, collaborating with Advance HE Gulf Forum. This positions UAE as MENA's teaching hub, attracting talent amid Vision 2031.

Advance HE's framework will drive innovations like hybrid learning, benefiting 500,000+ UAE students.

Photo by Raka Rahmadani on Unsplash

Stakeholder Perspectives: Voices from UAE Academia

Prof. Aouad: "These fellows embody our vision." Dr. Ajaj: "PFHEA validates transformative leadership." Students note improved skills, with 95% satisfaction in fellow-led courses.