Jordan
Adnan Badran
President, Arab Academy of Sciences
AI-Driven Economic Development: The Strategic Role of Arab Universities
2026 Contributors
Speakers and abstracts
Read bio and abstract
Sohar, Oman
Hamdan Al Fazari
Vice Chancellor, Sohar University
Higher Education in the Arab World: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Drive Economic Development through Creative Research — A Case Study of Sohar University, Oman
Kuwait
Isam Zabalawi
President, Australian University, Kuwait
A Futuristic University for the Arab World: Turning Artificial Intelligence, Creative Research, and Arab Talent into Economic Value
Educating Innovators Early: Undergraduate AI Research as a Foundation for National Economic Competitiveness
Amman, Jordan
Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli
President, German Jordanian University
Building AI Competence by Design: Frameworks, Recognition, and Leadership
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ghassan Aouad
Chancellor, Abu Dhabi University
Generation Z Learners in the Age of AI: A Case Study of Higher Education in the UAE with Implications for the Arab Region
Amman, Jordan
Rida A. Shibli
Professor of Plant Biotechnology and Biodiversity, University of Jordan
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Steer Creative Research Towards Achieving Economic Development Goals in the Arab World
Orlando, USA
Issa Batarseh
Pegasus Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of Central Florida
AI-Driven Grid-Forming Resilient Power Systems: LSTM-Based Predictive Power-Angle Control
Liverpool, UK
Dhiya Al-Jumeily
Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Liverpool John Moores University
From Data to Diagnosis: Integrating AI Research in Higher Education for Sustainable Healthcare Systems in the Arab World
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Hamad Odhabi
Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence, Abu Dhabi University
AI-Driven Operational Excellence in Higher Education: Advancing Institutional Performance and Economic Impact in the Arab World
Dallas, USA
Elie D. Al-Chaer
Attorney and Counselor at Law, AlChaer Law Firm
When Intelligence Becomes a Commodity and Capital is All You Need: What Purpose Remains for Higher Education?
Doha, Qatar
Lanouar Charfeddine
Professor of Economics, Qatar University
Do National AI Strategies Turn Arab Universities into Engines of Entrepreneurship?
Kuwait
Helene Kordahji
Quality Assurance and Policy Expert, Australian University, Kuwait
Campus 5.0: Intelligent, Human-Centered Universities for AI-Driven Economic Transformation
Türkiye
Alper Ertürk
Professor of Engineering Management and Dean, Istanbul Health and Technology University
The Impact of International Accreditation as a Driver of AI-Enabled Innovation and Economic Development on Higher Education: Insights from the AACSB Experience
Iraq
Maitham Ghaly Yousif
Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Al-Qadisiyah
Why some people eat a lot and don't get fat? The gut Microbiome, Artificial Intelligence, and New Opportunities for Economic Development
Kuwait
Zaher Abdel Baki
Associate Professor of Chemistry, American University of the Middle East
Evaluating AI Transformation in Arab Universities: A Theory-of-Change and Mixed-Methods Framework for Educational and Economic Impact
France / Italy
Yamen Nissi
Assistant Professor
Educating Innovators Early: Undergraduate AI Research as a Foundation for National Economic Competitiveness
Kuwait
Zahraa Abou Alloul
Academic Researcher, Australian University, Kuwait
University AI Innovation Ecosystems: Transforming Research into Scalable Economic Value
Fujairah, UAE
Bouthainah Khazal Al-Kaabi
Managing Partner, Green Coast Nurseries
Intelligent Micropropagation: Harnessing AI Research in Higher Education to Secure the Quality and Economic Value of Date Palm Tissue Culture in the Arab World