From the Desk of Chancellor Seghir

A Monthly Statement Issued by the Chancellor of Ajman University

Ajman University stands on a simple but powerful belief: education is a lifelong
endeavor, and universities have a responsibility that extends far beyond the
granting of degrees. As one of the UAE’s pioneering institutions, Ajman University
exists to expand opportunity, advance knowledge, and empower individuals and societies to thrive in a world of constant change.

A Monthly Statement Issued by the Chancellor of Ajman University

Karim Seghir, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Ajman University

© Ajman University. All rights reserved.

University St., Al jerf 1, Ajman
United Arab Emirates

University St., Al jerf 1, Ajman
United Arab Emirates

January 2026

We are a university for everyone – dreamers and doers, innovators and leaders, from every background and every stage of life. Today, Ajman University offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, a growing portfolio of continuing education and micro-credentials, and a robust research enterprise producing over 1,500 Scopus-indexed publications each year. Across all that we do, we are guided by a shared commitment to quality, inclusion, and meaningful social impact.

Yet, stand-alone credentials are no longer sufficient. The pace of technological change, economic transformation, and global uncertainty demands continuous learning – particularly for the executives who shape our institutions, our economies, and our communities. Ajman University therefore embraces a broader mandate: to serve as a lifelong learning partner for professionals and leaders who must continually renew their skills, perspectives, and judgment in a
rapidly evolving world.

This mandate is closely aligned with the national vision of We the UAE 2031, which calls for a forward economy enabled by a forward society, and with Ajman’s 2030 Strategic Blueprint, which places lifelong learning at the heart of sustainable development.

At AU, these priorities are not abstract aspirations; they are embedded in our institutional culture and guide our strategic choices.

Our vision for executive learning will be fully realized with the launch of Ajman University Executive Education in Spring 2026. More than a new organizational unit, AU ExecEd is a strategic investment in human capital and national capability. Preparation has been underway for more than a year, bringing together global perspectives and local academic and professional expertise to design offerings that are rigorous, relevant, and grounded in the UAE context.

AU ExecEd will offer a carefully curated portfolio of short modules, certificate pathways, and diploma programs delivered by distinguished faculty and practitioners who combine academic depth with real-world leadership experience. Learning will be participative, reflective, and consultative – recognizing that executives bring as much experience to the classroom as they gain from it.

A defining milestone in this journey will be the Ajman University Executive Education Symposium on 9 February 2026. The Symposium will convene senior leaders from across the UAE’s public and private sectors and feature distinguished voices, including H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism; Mr. Essam Al Tamimi, Chairman of Al Tamimi & Company;
Mr. Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum; and Dr. Dipak Jain, former Dean of Kellogg and INSEAD, two of the world’s leading institutions in executive education.

A World-Class Executive Learning Hub

Global Expertise & Local Relevance

Once launched, AU ExecEd will grow through a deliberate capacity-building and continuous-renewal process. Its signature will be defined by four pillars: AU-developed intellectual capital, strong international partnerships, state-of-the-art delivery, and deep responsiveness to the evolving needs of the UAE executive community.

Programs will be offered across multiple formats and time horizons—from one-day strategic refreshers and one- to two-week intensive experiences, to extended certificate and diploma pathways. Three program categories will anchor the portfolio: Open Enrollment Programs, Sector-Specific Programs, and Organization-Specific Programs tailored to the strategic priorities of individual institutions.

Alongside leading local facilitators, AU ExecEd will engage regional and international experts, ensuring that participants benefit from global insight while remaining firmly grounded in local realities. Continuous engagement with executives and organizations will guide program design, ensuring relevance, agility, and impact.

Through Ajman University Executive Education, we aspire to provide the UAE with a trusted home for executive learning – one that enables leaders to think more clearly, act more decisively, and contribute more fully to a resilient, innovative, and forward society.

The bottom line is that AU is accelerating expertise for future success. And you are cordially invited to join our fast track to a more prosperous tomorrow.   


Sincerely, 

Ajman University is proud to play an active role in the UAE’s lifelong learning journey and to help shape what comes next. In February 2024, UNESCO recognized Ajman’s sustained progress by granting the Emirate membership in the Global Network of Learning Cities. This milestone affirms a long-term commitment to learning as a driver of economic vitality, social cohesion, and human flourishing.

Building on this momentum, His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Chairman of Ajman’s Executive Council and Chairman of Ajman University’s Board of Trustees, established the Emirate’s Lifelong Learning Council—an important step in coordinating and strengthening learning opportunities across the community. The Council is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman’s Municipality and Planning Department and Vice Chairman of Ajman University’s Board of Trustees, and I am honored to serve as a member in my capacity as Chancellor of Ajman University.

Knowledge for the Greater Good 

Together, the UAE’s national vision, Ajman’s strategic priorities, and the guidance of our Board have become part of Ajman University’s DNA. They shape an educational philosophy grounded in excellence, comprehensiveness, equitable access, and a lifelong horizon of learning – one that recognizes education as a continuous public good rather than a finite transaction.

This philosophy naturally positions Ajman University as a leader in micro-credentials and executive-focused education. Across our nine colleges, we are developing short, targeted learning offerings that respond to emerging needs, refresh critical capabilities, and provide timely access to new knowledge – particularly in fast-moving areas such as digital transformation, leadership, and innovation.

The Symposium will explore how the executive role is being reshaped by technology, geopolitics, uncertainty, shifting workforce expectations, and compressed decision cycles. It will underscore executive education as a long-term investment in leadership capacity and national resilience, while providing a highly interactive platform for dialogue, reflection, and shared learning.

Importantly, the Symposium is not an endpoint. It is a visible marker within a broader, long-term commitment to building a world-class executive learning ecosystem rooted in Ajman and connected globally.