The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park announced the founding committee members and co-chairs of Dubai’s Higher Education Leadership Network (HELN) on 21 September.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions, industry, and government.

Jointly developed in 2025 by KHDA, Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, HELN brings together leaders from the higher education and business sectors to promote strategic dialogue, identify collaboration opportunities, and better align talent development with the evolving needs of the labor market.

Dr Saeed Mubarak Kharbash, CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes at KHDA, and Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group, will serve as the network’s founding co-chairs.

Founding committee members

The 13 founding committee members of Dubai’s Higher Education Leadership Network are:

1. Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi — Senior Vice President, Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group.
2. Dr Saeed Mubarak Kharbash — CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes, Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
3. Eng. Marwan Bin Haidar — Executive Vice President of Innovation & the Future, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
4. Dr Hanan Al Suwaidi — Provost at MBRU and Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer, Dubai Health.
5. Marwan Al Jassmi — Executive Vice President – People & Sustainability, DP World GCC.
6. Alya Hussain Al Zarouni — Chief Operating Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre.
7. Oliver Grohmann — Executive Vice President Human Resources, Emirates Group.
8. Victor Van der Chijs — President, National University of Dubai.
9. Ahmad Alkhallafi — Managing Director UAE & Africa, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
10. Professor Yusra Mouzughi — Provost, University of Birmingham Dubai.
11. Professor Mohamed-Vall M. Salem ZEIN — President, University of Wollongong in Dubai.

“HELN reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Dubai’s higher-education ecosystem and forging stronger connections between academia, industry and government,” said Dr Saeed Mubarak Kharbash, CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes at KHDA.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, said collaboration between academia, industry and government was essential to strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for higher education.

HELN will focus on four key areas: education and upskilling; entrepreneurship and innovation; future economies; and research and development.

Through these areas, the network aims to align Dubai’s higher education ecosystem with the emirate’s future needs and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global education hub.

During its first year, HELN will focus on strategic dialogue, research and innovation, and identifying opportunities for collaboration among higher education institutions, industry, and government entities.

The network supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to strengthen Dubai’s economic competitiveness, expand its position as a global business hub, and support future-oriented economic growth.

It also contributes to the Education 33 (E33) Strategy, which aims to develop a future-ready education system that is inclusive and supports lifelong learning and talent development.

By connecting academic leaders with decision-makers across key economic sectors, HELN aims to support the development of an education ecosystem that responds to Dubai’s long-term economic and knowledge priorities.