· Prof. Basem Alzahabi brings over two decades of US academic experience to AGU

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Al Ghurair University (AGU), part of UAE-based diversified conglomerate Al Ghurair, has appointed Prof. Basem Alzahabi as its new President ahead of the opening of the 2017-2018 academic year.

As one of the premier universities in the UAE and the Gulf, AGU welcomes Prof. Alzahabi’s storied career in higher education to continue the institution’s tradition of academic excellence and international recognition through his over 18 years in the academe. In his new role, Prof. Alzahabi will oversee the development of the university in terms of elevating the standard of education offered by AGU and adopting global best practices for advanced learning.

“I am thrilled to be entering a new stage in my career as President of one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the Gulf region. Al Ghurair University has made a name for its progressive approach to education while staying connected to the heritage that makes it utterly unique. I look forward to working with our highly-qualified faculty on continuing to deliver AGU’s world-class instruction and developing policies that encourage and motivate our student body to achieve their higher learning goals,” Prof. Alzahabi commented.

Prof. Alzahabi joins AGU from Kettering University in Michigan, USA, where he had been Director of the Office of International Programs and Chair of Engineering Design since 2011. In his previous position, he provided leadership and support for relationships with international universities, companies, governments and other institutions, and working in developing international programs. He also officially represented Kettering to US and foreign government agencies concerning international and cultural issues while developing new funding opportunities for the university. Alzahabi initially joined Kettering as Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 1998.

Ibrahim Al Ghurair, member of the Board at Al Ghurair, said, “We are absolutely confident that Prof. Alzahabi’s esteemed career in education will be a tremendous addition to the university. Al Ghurair University will surely be leveraging his experience in further raising our institution, together with our students and faculty, to new levels of academic excellence. With his arrival, we will see a fresh new approach to training and educational collaboration that will elevate AGU’s global competitiveness.”

He has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to the academic community, including the 2011 and 2005 Kettering University Alumni "Outstanding Teaching Award," 2010 NSF Fellowships, 2008 Kettering University Alpha Sigma Alpha "Professor of the Year" award, 2004 "Professor of Excellence" by Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society and in 1985 National Civil Engineering Society.

A renowned Engineering Design expert, Alzahabi began his career as Senior Project Engineer at Automated Analysis Corporation in Michigan, looking after advanced vehicle dynamics of heavy trucks. He moved on to Ford Motor Company in Dearborn as Process Design Engineer for Advanced Vehicle Technology. He brought this tremendous industrial experience under his belt to various teaching roles upon joining the academic world, including stints as adjunct professor at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, University of Maribor in Slovenia and Lawrence Technological University in the US.

Educated to doctorate level, Prof. Alzahabi holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and two M.S degrees in both Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics and Engineering Science from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Damascus University in 1981.

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© Press Release 2017