Board of
Trustees
Guiding the direction, Management and Decision Making of the Charity They work closely with staff and meet regularly throughout the year to review and formulate strategies and policies for all areas oif the organisation.
16
Board Trustees
H.E Prof. Omar Bin Awadh Al Rawas
H.E Dr. Saad Al Fahaid
H.E Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al Muqbel
H.E Prof. Omar Bin Awadh Al Rawas
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Secretary General, Arab Board of Health Specializations
Country: Sultanate of Oman
Membership Category: Country Representative
Prof. Omar Al Rawas is Professor and Senior Consultant of Respiratory Medicine at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University. He currently serves as Secretary General of the Arab Board of Health Specializations and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arabian Gulf University.
Throughout his distinguished career, he has held numerous leadership positions at Sultan Qaboos University, including Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Director of the Medical Research Center, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, and Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs.
He also served as President of the Oman Medical Association, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Oman Medical Specialty Board, and Chairman of the Health Sector Committee at The Research Council of Oman.
Prof. Al Rawas has contributed to more than 100 published scientific research papers and studies.
H.E Dr. Saad Al Fahaid
President of the University and Secretary of the Board
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Membership Category: University President
H.E Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al Muqbel
Director General, Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Membership Category: Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States Representative
H.E Prof. Samira Mohammed Al Mulla
H.E Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed Fikri
H.E Dr. Diana Al Jahromi
H.E Prof. Samira Mohammed Al Mulla
Director of Higher Education Policy, Academic Planning and Lifelong Learning
Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Operations
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates
Country: United Arab Emirates
Membership Category: Undersecretary Representative
Prof. Samira Al Mulla serves as Director of Higher Education Policy, Academic Planning and Lifelong Learning at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates. She is recognized as a national leader in higher education policy development, artificial intelligence, and future skills.
She holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Khalifa University, a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering specializing in Information Security and Digital Forensics from Khalifa University, and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Sharjah.
Throughout her academic career, she has published numerous peer-reviewed research papers in digital forensics, information security, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, making significant contributions to these fields.
She currently leads several national strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the UAE's higher education sector, including modernizing higher education policies, enhancing academic planning, promoting lifelong learning, integrating artificial intelligence into education, and leading data-driven policy development projects to strengthen institutional competitiveness and align educational outcomes with national priorities and future workforce needs.
Prof. Al Mulla has received numerous national and international awards, including the Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Excellence, the Microsoft Azure for Research Award, and the Best Artificial Intelligence Project Award from Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence for the "Al Waha (Oasis)" project. She has also received several institutional excellence awards for strategic projects and government innovation.
She serves on several advisory councils and committees, including the Board of Trustees of the Arabian Gulf University, the Advisory Council of the College of Computing and Informatics at the University of Sharjah, and a number of national committees dedicated to advancing higher education, scientific research, and innovation.
Prof. Al Mulla continues to contribute to the advancement of higher education by integrating research, policy development, innovation, and international collaboration in support of the UAE's vision for a competitive knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and artificial intelligence.
H.E Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed Mohammed Fikri
Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Regulation and Governance Sector
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Country: United Arab Emirates
Membership Category: Country Representative
Postal Address:
Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Regulation and Governance Sector, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates
Mr. Ibrahim Fikri has served as Assistant Undersecretary for the Higher Education Regulation and Governance Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates since November 2025.
Previously, he was Executive Director of the Support Services Sector at the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (2019–2025) and Director of the Projects and Programs Department within the same authority (2013–2019).
Between 2005 and 2013, he held several leadership positions at Emirates NBD, including Director of Emiratization and Senior Human Resources Manager.
He holds an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah and a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Finance, and Human Resources Management from the same university.
Mr. Fikri serves on several national and regional committees, including the Federal Government Appeals Committee, the Technical Committee for Civil Service and Human Resources Affairs of the GCC, and the Human Development Committee of the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council.
He has accumulated more than 20 years of leadership experience across both the public and private sectors.
H.E Dr. Diana Abdulkarim Al Jahromi
Secretary General, Higher Education Council
Country: Kingdom of Bahrain
Membership Category: Country Representative
H.E Dr. Muna Mohamed Al Balooshi
H.E Prof. Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al-Sudairi
H.E Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Shibli
H.E Dr. Mona Mohammed Al Blooshi
Advisor to the Minister of Education
Country: Kingdom of Bahrain
Membership Category: Undersecretary Representative
H.E Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Shibli
Country: Sultanate of Oman
Membership Category: Undersecretary Representative
H.E. Prof. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Sudairi
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Membership Category: Country Representative
H.E Prof. Mazen Omar Obeid Hasna
H.E Dr. Hareb Mohammed Saeed Al Jabri
H.E Prof. Mohammad Abdulatif Al Fares
H.E Prof. Mazen Omar Obeid Hasna
Chairman, National Qualifications and Academic Accreditation Committee
Country: Kingdom of Bahrain
Membership Category: Undersecretary Representative
H.E. Prof. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Sudairi
Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs
Country: State of Qatar
Membership Category: Undersecretary Representative
H.E. Prof. Mohammed Abdulatif Al Fares
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Higher Education
Membership Category: Country Representative
Postal Address:
H.E. Prof. Mohammed Abdulatif Al Fares was born in 1966. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kuwait University in 1987, followed by a Master's degree (1990) and a PhD (1995) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA.
Throughout his academic career, he held several senior leadership positions at Kuwait University, including Assistant Vice President for Human and Financial Resources Planning, Director of the Construction Program at the Major Projects Administration, and Secretary General of Kuwait University. He also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation in 2019.
He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees of Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) and as a Faculty Member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kuwait University.
During his distinguished public service career, he held several ministerial positions in the State of Kuwait, including:
- Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education (2017)
- Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy (2020)
- Minister of Oil and Minister of Higher Education (2021)
- Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs
H.E Dr. Bader Hassan Al Basiri
H.E Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al Awadhi
H.E Dr. Jawaher Shaheen Al Mudhahka
H.E Dr. Bader Hassan Abdulrahman Al Basiri
Undersecretary, Ministry of Higher Education
Country: State of Kuwait
Membership Category: Undersecretary Representative
H.E Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al Awadhi
Minister of Health, State of Kuwait
Country: State of Kuwait
Membership Category: Personal Capacity
Postal Address:
Dr. Ahmed Al Awadhi, Minister of Health of the State of Kuwait, is a physician and healthcare leader with nearly three decades of experience in managing major healthcare institutions and hospitals.
He graduated from the Arabian Gulf University, earning a Bachelor of Medical Sciences and an MD degree, before specializing in Pediatrics.
Throughout his career, he has led the Kuwait Cancer Control Center and several leading hospitals, while representing Kuwait in numerous regional and international health organizations.
He was appointed Minister of Health in 2022 and currently leads one of Kuwait's most significant healthcare transformation initiatives, focusing on strengthening governance, accountability, and transparency, advancing digital health, expanding healthcare services, and improving the quality of patient care.
His career reflects a unique combination of clinical expertise and strategic leadership in public health policy, driven by his belief that human health is both a fundamental goal and a cornerstone of national development.
H.E Dr. Jawaher Shaheen Al Mudhahka
Country: Kingdom of Bahrain
Membership Category: Personal Capacity
Postal Address:
Dr. Jawaher Al Mudhahka is a consultant in education and quality assurance. She served as President of the University of Bahrain until 2023, having previously been the Chief Executive of the Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) since its establishment in 2008.
She began her academic career at the University of Bahrain in 1988, where she held numerous academic and administrative leadership positions.
Throughout her career, she has served on several national, regional, and international boards and councils, including:
- Bahrain's Higher Education Council
- Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training
- Supreme Council for Women
- International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)
- Islamic Quality Assurance Association (IQA)
- Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE)
- Association of Arab Universities
- Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI)
She also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Arab Journal of Accounting for the GCC.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa awarded her the Order of Competence (First Class) in 2016.
Dr. Al Mudhahka holds a PhD from the University of Exeter (United Kingdom), a Master's degree from the University of Denver (United States), and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Bahrain.
H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Asimi
H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Asimi
Country: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Membership Category: Personal Capacity
Academic Qualifications
- PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, West Virginia University, USA (2002).
Professional Experience
- Director General, Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (2021–2025).
- Deputy Minister of Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2017–2021).
- President, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (2009–2017).
- Member of the Saudi Shura Council (Fourth and Fifth Terms).
- Director General of Education in Al Kharj (2004–2005).
