Page 4 - ADU Voice

04 voice · SPRING 2023

A talk with

Prof. Ghassan

INTERVIEW BY VIOLET SARAH PRINCE (1080030)

Prof. Ghassan Aouad is the new chancellor of Abu Dhabi University.
This interview presents a glimpse of his outstanding academic

pursuits, research activities and leadership roles.

Q. Could you please tell a little Wollongong University in the Middle East,

and later became the Vice President for
about yourself, including your
background and any other leadership Academic Affairs at the Gulf University for
positions you have held. Science and Technology. Before joining ADU,
I was born in Lebanon and have a dual I was President at Applied Science University,
nationality (Lebanese and British). I did my Bahrain for over 8 years. Recently, I have
bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at begun my role as the Chancellor of Abu
Beirut Arab University. Following gradua- Dhabi University. It is a pleasure to have
tion, I worked as a site engineer for two years joined this university, and I look forward to
and built schools during the war. To enhance working with the chairman, directors, staff,
my education, I pursued a master’s degree faculty, and the students.
in construction and a PhD in Construction

Management and IT at Loughborough Q. What is the driving force that
University in the UK. Afterwards, I moved inspires and motivates you to do
to Salford University where I started as a the work you do daily?
research fellow and progressed to the posi- I joined academia because of my strong
tion of Pro Vice Chancellor for research desire to support student success through
and innovation before I left in late 2011. In teaching and research-based activities. I con-
early 2012, I took on the role of President at tinuously channel this passion of mine into