Khalifa University appoints Emiratis to several senior positions

As part of its efforts to support Emiratisation, Khalifa University has added several new Emirati talents to its leadership team with four Emiratis being appointed to significant senior positions. They are Mosallam Al Kathiri, who was made Vice President of Human Resources and Procurement, Dr. Samer Al Samahi was appointed Director of EBTIC, an Etisalat, BT and Khalifa University partnership that's supported by ICT Fund, Dr. Habiba Al Safar was made Director of the Khalifa University Centre for Biotechnology (KUCEB) and Dr. Hassan Obeid Ali Al Muhairi is the new Director of Graduate Studies at Khalifa University.

The appointments come at a time when Khalifa University is excelling in its efforts to supplement the job market with Emiratis who enjoy pursuing top academic, research and education positions. This has been achieved by providing unique undergraduate and graduate programmes, and state-of-the-art research facilities and scholarship programmes which encourage students to engage in various activities that will inevitably contribute to the labour market. Students also benefit from strategic partnerships with a number of leading government and industry organisations, both in the UAE and internationally.

"We are pleased to witness the Emiratisation of some senior positions at Khalifa University", said Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Khalifa University's Executive Vice President, "This supports our mission as a university, and that we are thriving in our task to enable Emiratis to lead in key sectors, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and research. We hope that these appointments will contribute to a sustainable vision that aims to support the role that Emirati citizens play in order to contribute effectively in the economic development efforts being spearheaded by leadership of the UAE."

In the past, Mr Al Kathiri has directed and overseen all aspects of corporate human resource functions, and administrative activities including planning and compensation, HR and administrative automation, training, development, Emiratisation, and recruitment. He has a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management and he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Washington University.

"It's an honour to join the team leading a university like Khalifa University, which bears the name of the President", said Mr Al Kathiri, "Khalifa University graduates generations of high-level Emirati researchers, academics and professionals. My goal is to work on supporting the University's efforts in the field of human resources, and especially Emiratisation, both through recruitment and training and by providing a suitable environment that graduates students who will lead important sectors in the UAE."

Prior to his appointment as Director, Dr. Al Samahi acted as Deputy Director for EBTIC and as a faculty member for Khalifa University. Dr. Al Samahi obtained his BSc. in Engineering from Khalifa University, before being sponsored to attend Melbourne University for his MSc. and Newcastle University for his PhD in Wireless Communication.