2001-2008Empowered Leadership and Ambitious Visions

​In 2001, Dr. Rafia Obaid Ghubash was appointed as President of AGU and soon began building on past achievements. The Princess Al Jawhara Center was established with the donation of HRH Princess Al Jawhara bint Ibrahim Al Ibrahim. The work of the center would later lead to the discovery of a novel immune mediator, named ISRAA. During this period, the university published several scientific papers in prestigious journals, winning international awards and cementing the university’s name in the field of scientific research.​

1988 – 1993Overcoming Challenges

Between 1988 and 1992, AGU went through a financial crisis as a result of contractor demands affecting the operational budget. In 1991, at the request of the Crown Prince of Bahrain, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Salman Al Khalifa (Currently HRH the King), HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, gave orders to pay the debt. The GCC leaders reaffirmed their support for the university in 1993, following the decision of King Fahad bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia that the university should continue, and reopen admission and registration.​​

1979-1984Foundations

Recognizing the importance of higher education in advancing society, the General Convention of Arab Education for the GCC began laying the foundations for a regional university to support the human development needs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It was at the fourth meeting of the Convention in 1979 where the decision to establish the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) was first taken. In the months and years that followed, many more meetings were held to determine the objectives and visions of the university and the path to turning the dream into a reality.​​