Dr. Ashraf Al Najdawi

Dr. Ashraf Al-Najdawi is Vice President for External Relations at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, where he leads the University’s external engagement strategy across international relations, strategic partnerships, government and public engagement, and industry relations.

In this role, he advances Khalifa University’s global presence and builds high-impact partnerships that support its academic, research, innovation, and talent-development priorities. Working closely with government, industry, academic institutions, and international partners, he helps strengthen the University’s network of strategic collaborations and its contribution to national and global priorities.

Prior to joining Khalifa University, Dr. Al-Najdawi held senior roles at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), contributing to the development of Abu Dhabi’s higher education, research, and innovation agenda. His work included developing strategic plans to strengthen the emirate’s R&D ecosystem and contributing to a framework for establishing a research funding agency. He also led ADEK’s global strategic partnerships portfolio within the Office of Planning and Strategic Affairs, overseeing major international initiatives and institutional partnerships, including Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and INSEAD.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Al-Najdawi worked in the United Kingdom and across the European Union in innovation, research, and business support. He managed projects funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board, now Innovate UK, and the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program for Research and Technological Development (FP7).

Dr. Al-Najdawi holds a PhD from the Research School of Systems Engineering at Loughborough University, a Master’s degree with Distinction in Information and Communications Engineering from the University of Leicester, and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Jordan.

He has also completed executive and professional development programs, including the INSEAD Executive Leadership Development Programme and the Grants Management Certificate Program in Washington, D.C.