National University of Dubai: A Future-Ready Institution

The National University of Dubai (NUD) represents a bold new vision for higher education in the UAE and beyond. Dubai is a city of extraordinary growth – globally connected, fast paced, multicultural and highly innovative. It attracts people from around the world to develop their potential and encourages organizations to engage in strategic research and industry partnerships.

NUD is part of this exciting development of the city and the region. An ambitious institution aiming to build a dynamic community of academics, researchers, students and staff in a forward-focused environment driven by innovation, cutting-edge technological advances and an ambitious research and development agenda.  NUD was established to support these developments locally and, over time, globally with the goal of ranking among the top 50 young universities within the next decade and ranking among the top 200 global universities within the next 20 years.

Led by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, as Supreme President, the university will be steered by a distinguished Board of Trustees and an international Advisory Council. The university’s leadership will play a critical role in fostering Dubai’s academic and scientific leadership, developing future leaders, and advancing the city’s ambitions to be a global leader in transformative education.

The university will offer world-class programs that enhance Dubai’s higher education landscape and support Dubai’s path to becoming one of the world’s top 10 destinations for education. Positioned as a key driver of innovative learning and scientific advancement, the university will serve Dubai’s development journey as a future-focused hub of knowledge and research, empowering Emirati youth, research excellence, and industry engagement.

With a mission to drive sustainable growth and societal progress, the university is dedicated to empowering a new generation of leaders, innovators, and scientists. By championing interdisciplinary scientific collaboration, cutting-edge technology and experiential learning within flexible and agile programmes, the National University of Dubai will yield a transformative impact nationally, regionally, and globally.

It is in this context that the University is seeking its inaugural President, who will play a pivotal role in establishing NUD as a premier global institution. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an exceptional individual to shape a university from its foundation, embedding core principles of agility, experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, global partnerships, and responsible leadership.

The inaugural President will be responsible for implementing the university's strategic vision, building world-class faculty, developing innovative academic programs, fostering global partnerships, ensuring financial sustainability, and establishing a culture of excellence and innovation that will distinguish NUD on the world stage. The successful candidate will be a visionary, adaptable, and globally minded leader with a unique blend of academic and industry experience.

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver to assist the selection committee. For informal enquiries and questions, Perrett Laver may be contacted via Eljoh Balajadia on Eljoh.Balajadia@perrettlaver.com and +44 (0) 203928 7375 or via Emma Stone, Country Managing Partner in the UAE, at Emma.Stone@perrettlaver.com.

The deadline for applications for this position is 24th April 2025.

Perrett Laver will conduct preliminary discussions with longlisted candidates and the Selection Committee will then meet to decide on a shortlist of candidates. These individuals will be invited for initial on-line interviews in May 2025 followed by visits to Dubai for in-person interactions and formal interviews with the Board of Trustees. Selection of and negotiations with the preferred candidate will take place thereafter.

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