The American University in Dubai has appointed Dr. Assaad Farah as Provost and Chief Academic Officer, marking an important moment of continuity and momentum for the university’s academic leadership.

As Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Farah will play a central role in advancing several of AUD’s most ambitious academic priorities. He will contribute to the development of the School of Medicine, support the continued expansion of newly launched undergraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence and Game Design and Development, and lead efforts to strengthen the university’s research profile. He will also be instrumental in cultivating strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide, building on a track record of successful international collaboration.

Dr. Farah has served as Interim Provost since August 2025, guiding the academic enterprise providing steady leadership during a critical period of transition. His appointment reflects both his deep institutional knowledge and a long-standing record of academic and administrative achievement at AUD, where he has been a member of the community since 2010.

Over the past fifteen years, Dr. Farah has held a series of progressively senior roles, including Director of Accreditation and  Dean of the School of Business. As Dean, he led the School through a period of sustained growth in student enrollment, research activity, and international engagement. During this time, the School launched several flagship initiatives, including AUD’s newest B.B.A. in Artificial Intelligence in Business, a joint B.B.A. program with Manchester Metropolitan University, and a strategic academic collaboration with ESADE.

In addition to his university leadership, Dr. Farah is a respected executive educator and strategic management consultant, with extensive experience advising public-sector organizations across the United Arab Emirates. He served on the AACSB Initial Accreditation Committee and chaired the AACSB International Middle East & North Africa Advisory Council. Before joining AUD, he built professional expertise in the aeronautical and mobile industries in Canada. His scholarly interests span knowledge management, strategic human resource management, airline management, and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Farah holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Bath (United Kingdom), an M.Sc.A. in Management from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business (Canada), and a B.Eng. in Industrial Engineering from Concordia University (Canada).

Dr. Farah’s appointment underscores AUD’s commitment to academic rigor, innovation, and global engagement. As Provost and Chief Academic Officer, he will help guide the university through its next phase of academic growth and institutional development.