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Future Focus

Future Focus

Purpose and mission

The 'Future Focus' event series and the University Leadership Steering Committee aims to explore and recommend AI-related policy changes for the UAE, seeking insight from leaders and providing strategic guidance to universities and higher education institutions. The initiatives focus on integrating AI in teaching, research, and student support while developing future-ready skills and ensuring ethical AI practices. The roundtable events and Steering Committee will formulate comprehensive recommendations for integrating AI into teaching, learning, research, and the broader core and support functions of universities.

This will involve leveraging the opportunities AI presents while proactively mitigating risks and strengthening institutional capacities. These initiatives will serve as a dynamic platform to advise on policy formulation, best practices, and guidelines to ensure that AI adoption is beneficial, ethical, and aligned with both national and institutional priorities.

AI in Teaching and Learning Adoption Framework

The AI in Teaching and Learning Adoption Framework for Higher Education is designed to guide higher education institutions in the responsible and systematic integration of AI across curriculum, pedagogy, learning, and assessment. It emphasizes ethical use, strong governance, and the promotion of equity, access, and inclusion.

Serving as a roadmap, self-assessment tool, and benchmarking resource for academic leaders and practitioners, the framework helps institutions enhance learning experiences, build capacity among instructors and students, and develop robust AI-enabled infrastructure.

It also supports institutions in quality assurance, evaluating their current AI adoption practices, identifying gaps, and aligning with emerging best practices.

Steering Committee

The University Leadership Steering Committee brings together forward-thinking university leaders based in the UAE who wish to support the sector's adoption of AI in ways that are meaningful, ethical, and progressive.

  • Prof Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor, Abu Dhabi University
  • Dr Assaad Farah, Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer, American University in Dubai (AUD)
  • Prof Asma Salman, Vice President Research, American University in the Emirates (AUE)
  • Prof Marc Poulin, Acting President, Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM)
  • Prof Mohamed Salem, President, University of Wollongong in Dubai
  • Dr Imad Hoballah, Vice President for Institutional Advancement & External Relations, American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)
  • Dr Adam Fenech, Provost, Canadian University Dubai
  • Dr James Griffin, Vice Provost, Undergraduate Affairs & Instruction, American University of Sharjah (AUS)
  • Prof Hassan Mohamed Selim, Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, University of Kalba
  • Dr Khaled Assaleh, Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Ajman University
  • Prof Nazih Khaddaj Mallat, Vice President (Accreditation & QA), Al Ain University
  • Prof Yousif El-Tayeb, Dean, Dubai Medical University (DMCG)
  • Prof Rafid Al Khaddar, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University Dubai
  • Obaya Ahmed, Student Board, Centre for Academic Integrity, Ajman University

News and events

News and events will be posted here.

Universities can pilot the framework

We invite UAE institutions to pilot this framework to help its progress across the sector. Please contact Dr Narimane Hadj-Hamou or Sean Glynn to do so.

Supporting cross-institutional collaboration

We invite all Higher Education professionals to submit examples from within their university, to contribute to the development of the Teaching and Learning Framework for the Adoption of AI in Higher Education.

Submission of Best Practices

To foster knowledge-sharing and innovation, higher education institutions in the UAE and beyond are encouraged to submit best practices that demonstrate effective, ethical, and scalable AI implementation in higher education. Submissions should demonstrate effective, ethical, and scalable AI adoption in higher education in the following areas:

  • AI in Curriculum Development
  • Ethical and Responsible AI Use
  • AI for Teaching and Learning Enhancement
  • AI for Institutional Planning and Infrastructure
  • AI in Assessment
  • Building AI Readiness and Capacity

Submit your best practice example or implementation resource below

* Required

Submissions open soon.