Dr. Al-Najdawi is the Acting Vice President for External Relations and Chief of Staff at Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU). As Acting Vice President for External Relations, he leads the university’s efforts in building and strengthening external relations, managing international partnerships, and engaging with key stakeholders to enhance KU’s global presence. In his role as Chief of Staff, he manages matters of institutional and strategic importance on behalf of the President and works closely with the senior leadership team, government officials, and community leaders. Dr. Al-Najdawi oversees the Office of the President鈥檚 organizational units and is responsible for inter-governmental relations, international cooperation, and strategic partnership development.
Prior to joining Khalifa University, Dr. Al-Najdawi held key positions at the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), where he was responsible for developing a comprehensive plan for establishing a research funding agency and drawing strategic roadmaps for fostering the R&D ecosystem in Abu Dhabi as part of the Abu Dhabi-wide higher education strategic plan. Dr. Al-Najdawi led the global strategic partnerships portfolio at ADEK鈥檚 Office of Planning and Strategic Affairs, managing strategic projects such as the Sorbonne University-Abu Dhabi and the INSEAD School of Business.
Prior to joining ADEK, Dr. Al-Najdawi worked across the United Kingdom and the European Union, specializing in innovation and business support. He managed and led several projects funded under the UK鈥檚 Technology Strategy Board (currently Innovate UK), and the European Union鈥檚 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7), the European Union鈥檚 main instrument for funding research and development (currently Horizon 2020).
Dr. Al-Najdawi holds a PhD degree from the Research School of Systems Engineering at Loughborough University, United Kingdom, a Master鈥檚 degree (with Distinction) in Information and Communications Engineering from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and a BSc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Jordan. Dr. Al-Najdawi has completed professional development programs such as the 鈥淚NSEAD Executive Leadership Development Program鈥� by INSEAD Business School, and the 鈥淕rants Management Certificate Program鈥� in Washington DC, United States of America.
