Speakers

Professor Khalid Al Marri is a pioneering academic leader, public intellectual, and institution builder, widely recognized at the national level for his role in establishing and scaling high impact education, research, and training entities in the United Arab Emirates. He currently serves as Dean of Research and Head of Strategic Partnerships at the British University in Dubai. This year, for the second consecutive year, the University achieved a major milestone by ranking first in the Arab world for the quality of its research. He has also led the design, accreditation, and launch of forward looking undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programs aligned with the UAE National Qualifications Framework and approved by the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai.

He is widely credited with launching the UAE’s first Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, alongside the development of flagship programs in Architecture, Computer Science, Electro Mechanical Engineering, and Business Administration. He also led the establishment of the region’s first academic Project Management program to receive accreditation from the Project Management Institute (PMI), setting a new benchmark for quality, professional alignment, and market relevance. His achievements also include dual degree pathways with leading UK universities and executive programs developed in partnership with industry leaders to strengthen academic industry integration and advance national development priorities.

As a prolific researcher and thought leader, Professor Al Marri has authored and co authored more than 75 peer reviewed publications and conference papers on public private partnerships, infrastructure, innovation, and smart cities, most of which appear in highly ranked journals. He developed the UAE’s first national PPP framework and introduced the world’s first PPP model for nuclear research reactor projects, contributions that have helped shape policy direction and elevate global best practice in delivering complex, high risk infrastructure.

Professor Al Marri is known for leadership that spans the full lifecycle of academic and professional program development, from strategic vision and curriculum design, through accreditation and governance, to talent recruitment, market positioning, financial modeling, operationalization, and delivery. His executive experience also includes oversight of major infrastructure and real estate projects, advising on privatization initiatives, and building high trust partnerships with government and industry stakeholders. He currently serves as Chairman of the International Project Management Association in the UAE, is a member of editorial boards for leading international journals, and writes regularly for Al Ittihad newspaper on artificial intelligence, innovation, governance, urban development, and national competitiveness.