Professor Abdullah served as former and founding President and Provost of the Abu Dhabi School of Management. Professor Abdullah provides executive leadership, spearheading strategic initiatives to propel organizational growth and excellence. With a focus on fostering innovation and efficiency, he leads the design and development of academic programs, ensuring their alignment with evolving industry trends and academic standards through local and international accreditations. Professor Abdullah adeptly navigates institutional challenges, leveraging them as opportunities for advancement.

He leads the efforts for international partnerships and collaborations. His role extended to the careful evaluation and refinement of business strategies, policies, and financial frameworks, driving enhanced operational effectiveness and sustainable growth. Professor Abdullah champions the integration of emerging technologies and streamlined processes, facilitating agile project management and resource optimization.

In nurturing a culture of adaptability and collaboration, Professor Abdullah instills principles of openness, transparency, and accountability, catalyzing positive organizational change. Beyond internal operations, he actively engages with the community through teaching, research, and advocacy, bolstering the organization’s reputation and visibility through meaningful outreach efforts. Professor Abdullah has a PhD in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and an Executive Management Degree from Yale School of Management.