by ashokaib | Jan 11, 2026 | Uncategorized
The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has signed a consultancy services agreement with Nakheel Al Waha Consulting Office to develop and formulate a comprehensive organisational manual for Human Resources, and to enhance its operational efficiency in line with the University’s new strategic plan aimed at strengthening institutional best practices.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the University, and Mr Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Shehri, General Manager of Nakheel Al Waha Consulting Office.
Under the agreement, specialised consultancy services will be provided, including an assessment of the current status of Human Resources management, analysis of existing policies and procedures, development of organisational structures and job descriptions, and the enhancement of strategic and operational HR planning using modern methodologies such as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework.
The agreement also covers the conduct of benchmarking studies with GCC universities and educational institutions, analysis of prevailing HR models, development of competency matrices, and the updating of governance frameworks and authorities. These measures are intended to raise institutional performance efficiency and support organisational excellence across the University.
Commenting on the agreement, Dr Al Fuhaid said that the partnership forms part of the University’s strategic direction to advance its Human Resources ecosystem and to build a motivating work environment based on international best practices. He noted that this will support the achievement of the University’s academic and administrative vision and mission, while enhancing its ability to attract talent and develop human capital.
For his part, Mr Al Shehri expressed his pride in cooperating with the Arabian Gulf University, emphasising that the agreement represents a strategic step towards strengthening the University’s Human Resources framework in line with modern administrative best practices. He added that, through this partnership, Nakheel Al Waha Consulting Office will deliver specialised consultancy solutions, facilitate knowledge transfer and build institutional capabilities, thereby enhancing organisational performance efficiency and ensuring effective alignment between the Human Resources strategy and the University’s objectives, in support of sustainable institutional excellence.
The signing ceremony was attended by Dr Ghazi Al Otaibi, Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs at AGU, Mr Khalil Ali Al Hamri, Director of Human Resources at the University, along with a number of specialists and administrative staff from the department.
by ashokaib | Jan 8, 2026 | Uncategorized
The Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Chair in Geographic Information Systems and the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Academic Chair in Technology Management, both hosted by the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), welcomed Mr Mohamed Al Khuzaei, a renowned technology and strategy expert and Regional Director of Solution Consulting at ServiceNow. Mr Al Khuzaei delivered an insightful lecture on the latest trends in digital transformation and the pivotal role of AI in the strategic evolution of technologies in government operations.
He discussed strategies for leveraging AI technologies to enhance government and institutional management, streamline decision-making, and adapt to rapid digital transformation. He detailed how to strategically select, acquire, and implement technologies to develop intelligent, data-driven operational models. Additionally, he shared practical applications of AI in areas such as recruitment, data management, employee evaluation, future workforce planning, and its expanding influence in reshaping public sector work environments.
The lecture was attended by several government officials, public sector executives, institutional directors, and researchers interested in digital transformation, all eager to deepen their understanding of AI as a strategic tool for sustainable institutional development. Attendees gained valuable insights into how large-scale digital transformation can support government entities and institutions in transitioning from traditional, fragmented systems to smart, AI-powered operating models.
It is worth noting that Mr Al Khuzaei is a specialist in AI-powered business management and platform-based transformation. His experience spans multiple public sectors with a focus on aligning emerging technologies with measurable business outcomes, developing the workforce, and fostering long-term organisational flexibility.
This initiative falls within the university’s efforts to strengthen academic and technical collaboration between research chairs and graduate students by providing a platform for the exchange of expertise and knowledge on the latest advancements in AI and digital transformation in the government sector.
by ashokaib | Jan 8, 2026 | Uncategorized
Students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf (AGU) University successfully organised two dynamic interactive competitions to promote the spirit of challenge, creativity, and active learning among students. The initiatives, part of broader student activities, utilise modern interactive methods to enrich the educational experience. His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of AGU, awarded medals to the winning teams at the conclusion of the event.
Dr Aseel Al Saleh, Dean of Student Affairs at AGU, affirmed that these initiatives reflect the university’s strategic commitment to supporting high-quality student-led projects and fostering interactive, applied learning. The university strives to create an academic environment that encourages creativity and teamwork, thereby enhancing students’ academic and personal skills, preparing them to become capable members of society equipped to meet future challenges.
The students behind the "AGU Challenges" confirmed that these activities align with the Deanship of Student Affairs’ vision to support student initiatives, enrich the educational experience, and cultivate an environment that stimulates critical thinking and a healthy spirit of competition. This is achieved by developing students' scientific and practical skills outside the classroom and traditional learning methods.
Almuatasim Alalawi, a student at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences who played a key role in organising the event, noted that both competitions attracted impressive participation and engagement from students, with challenges designed to connect theoretical knowledge with practical application.
The first competition involved 20 students from the College of Medicine and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It replied on direct interaction and solving of scientific questions and challenges using an interactive escape room concept developed in collaboration with the Simulation and Medical Skills Centre.
The second competition included 35 medical students from various academic years, divided into seven teams. It focused on testing medical knowledge and enhancing critical and analytical thinking through competitive team challenges. The event balanced enjoyment with educational value, with fourth-year medical students securing first place and fifth-year students finishing second.
by ashokaib | Jan 7, 2026 | Uncategorized
A research team has published a study on developing an innovative artificial intelligence model designed to enhance the security of modern communication networks against sophisticated cyber threats. The study appeared in the esteemed Q1 Journal of Communications and Networks, a leading publication specialising in networks and communications research.
Supervised by Professor Adel Bouhoula, Head of the Computing Department at AGU, the research focuses on protecting advanced networks that rely on Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV). These technologies have become integral to modern digital technologies, including 5G, smart cities, and cloud computing. Professor Bouhoula affirmed that while these networks offer increased flexibility and efficiency, they also introduce novel security challenges that traditional methods struggle to address.
The team developed an extensive dataset named SDN-Net, created by integrating and analysing multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive view of network activity. This dataset includes over 1.5 million samples representing both normal and malicious behaviours, enabling AI systems to learn with high accuracy and distinguish between various cyberattack patterns. An advanced machine learning model was also developed, achieving a record detection accuracy of 99.9%, outperforming current best practices.
Professor Bouhoula explained that these findings open new horizons for applying this technology in critical sectors such as financial services, healthcare, autonomous transportation, and government and private data centres. He noted that as networks become faster and more complex, their security systems must evolve to be more intelligent and adaptable. The developed model not only detects cyber threats but continuously learns from new data, transforming networks from passive targets into active defensive systems.
This research resulted from the scientific collaboration between PhD student Ameena Al-Sahbi and Dr Faouzi Jaidi from the University of Carthage, Tunisia. It exemplifies the significance of international academic partnerships in developing innovative solutions to mounting cybersecurity challenges. The research also reflects the applied research efforts of the Computing Department at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at AGU, strengthening cybersecurity foundations amid the rapid adoption of smart technologies in the digital world.
by ashokaib | Jan 6, 2026 | Uncategorized
His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of Arabian Gulf University (AGU), has issued a decree promoting Dr Ahmed Mohamed Alabbasi, Associate Professor of Gifted Education in the Department of Special Education at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences, to the rank of Professor. This promotion recognises his outstanding research, academic, and scientific contributions in the field of gifted and talented education at both regional and international levels.
Dr Alabbasi expressed his gratitude to His Excellency the University President and conveyed his appreciation for the trust and ongoing support provided by the administration to faculty members across all colleges and departments. He also praised the university’s commitment to nurturing an innovative academic environment that encourages scientific research to address key educational issues within the Gulf. “At AGU, we strive to be a distinguished academic and research centre on a global scale, focusing on research topics specific to the GCC region as well as international educational challenges by conducting rigorous scientific research that seeks to develop varied solutions,” he stated.
It is noteworthy that Dr Alabbasi holds a PhD with distinction from the University of Georgia, United States, specialising in Gifted and Creative Education. He is an alumnus of AGU, where he earned his Master’s degree in Gifted Education. Additionally, he holds an executive education degree in Leadership Development from the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education at Harvard University, as well as another executive education degree in Leading and Building a Culture of Innovation from the Harvard Business School at Harvard University.
Throughout his career, Dr Alabbasi has received numerous prestigious awards. Most recently, he was honoured with the Berlyne Award for Distinguished Researcher from the American Psychological Association, making him the first Arab researcher to receive this award since the its founding in 1892. He also received the Emerging Scholar Award from the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. Other accolades include the Doctoral Student Award in Gifted and Talented Education and the Doctoral Level Completed Research Award from the National Association for Gifted and Talented Children, as well as the second-placing certificate from the American Psychological Association.
Dr Alabbasi’s research interests encompass giftedness, creativity, divergent thinking, creative problem-solving, innovation, and gender differences in creativity. He has authored nearly seventy publications, including research papers in international scientific journals and chapters in edited books. Notably, he contributed four chapters to the third edition of the Encyclopedia of Creativity, a key reference in the field, and has translated several international creativity assessment scales into Arabic.
