Ahmed Al Shoaibi

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As SVP of Academic and Student Services, Dr. Al Shoaibi leads a variety of initiatives to promote successful learning outcomes for students and improved student retention. He leads the identification and recruitment of high quality high school students, supports their transition into university and works collaboratively with faculty, librarians, staff and administrators in initiative and policy implementation designed to promote student success in and out of the classroom. Additionally, Dr. Al Shoaibi promotes the support of faculty and staff to enhance teaching and learning so that students develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become successful 21st Century engineers.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Witnessing the great Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara, Kenya. It is quite a spectacle and an experience which I will never forget. There is so much we can learn from nature. The sun sets were absolutely breathtaking. I met amazing people from different cultures and that made the trip all the more fun and interesting.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have grown a lot during my work with Khalifa University. The UAE is a rapidly evolving country with many ambitious goals. I learned to adapt successfully to change and to keep my learning skills fresh. One of the essential learning skills is to learn how to learn. I will always be a student at heart. I enjoy working on new initiatives and knowing that I am part of a bigger transformative plan which will cement our organization as a leader regionally and internationally.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

We have had many success stories. The common thread in all these stories is the confidence which a return student discovers in themselves through the experience. There is nothing as rewarding as seeing your students grow into young leaders while you are there to cheer them on. One of our students who took part in this program returned with renewed motivation and passion. He found his purpose and pursued it. I am proud to say that he is a leader in his organization today.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Khalifa University offers academically rigorous programs with very attractive scholarships. I am specially proud of our interdisciplinary PhD program. The current trend in the industry is to integrate specialized fields and our programs prepare students to think beyond boundaries. Furthermore, they will be ready for future jobs as new needs and professions emerge.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We are very proud that Khalifa University is the top-rated institution in the UAE by Times Higher Education and QS. The 2019 QS World University Rankings has placed Khalifa University of Science and Technology 315th overall globally, among the top 31% of the 1,011 institutions assessed across the world.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Khalifa University is actively involved in establishing long term strategic partnerships with a variety of organizations. The University currently enjoys strong relationships with many national and international partners including industry leaders, multinational entities, government agencies, universities and other institutions. By partnering with these entities, the University seeks to emphasize its commitment to research and development, as well as providing its students and faculty the opportunity to solve applied problems and gain real world experience.