Professor Amir Zeid is a seasoned academic leader and visionary technologist with over 25 years of diverse experience shaping the landscape of higher education across the Middle East. Holding a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carleton University, Canada, with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering, Professor Zeid currently serves as the Dean of the Thumbay College of Management and AI in Healthcare at Gulf Medical University (GMU). In this pivotal role, he stands at the unique intersection of technology and administration, integrating advanced AI applications with strategic management to revolutionize the future of healthcare education and practice.
Professor Zeid possesses a proven expertise in architecting academic institutions from the ground up, having successfully launched and led major colleges across the region. As the Founding Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), he led five undergraduate degree programs, successfully securing ABET accreditation and managing a restructuring for the college with exceptional operational efficiency. His ability to catalyze institutional growth was further demonstrated during his tenure as Dean (Chief Academic Officer) at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI).
Complementing his academic tenure, Professor Zeid brings significant industrial experience as a consultant and research and development manager. He has served in internationally acclaimed companies, including Vodafone and General Dynamics Land Systems. Furthermore, he served as a Research and Development Consultant for the Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). This corporate background reinforces his ability to merge technical precision with operational strategy.
An accomplished scholar, Professor Zeid’s research foundation is rooted in Object-Oriented Software Engineering and agent-based architectures. He excels at translating complex theoretical research into applied solutions; this is evident in his founding of the Center for Research in Informatics, Sciences, and Engineering (RISE) at AUK, which he established as a hub for innovation. His research interests include adaptive learning, cloud computing, design patterns, and socio-cultural issues in computer education. Today, his scholarly focus has evolved to address critical challenges in the health sector, leveraging AI to enhance healthcare management, adaptive learning systems, and using AI to improve workflows.
Professor Zeid champions a student-centric pedagogical philosophy that bridges the gap between technical computer science and modern leadership. Professor Zeid was recognized as “The Most Innovative Lecturer” at the American University of Kuwait for his creative teaching methods. His commitment to talent development extends beyond the classroom to competitive excellence; he mentored students in international innovation contests to multiple regional and national titles. He actively prepares the next generation of professionals to navigate the ethical and operational complexities of an AI-driven economy.
As the Founding Director of the Thumbay Incubation Center, Professor Zeid is fostering a dynamic culture of innovation within the UAE, positioning GMU as a hub for applied research. Crucially, his influence extends to the global stage through his leadership in high-profile international forums. He served as the Conference Co-Chair for the IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON). His ability to curate global conversations is also evidenced by his role as a TEDx Curator, where he identified and trained speakers to share transformative ideas, securing significant sponsorship to bring global educational platforms to the region.
Ultimately, Professor Zeid is driven by a mission to continuously elevate the UAE’s academic ecosystem. Through his strategic leadership at Thumbay College of Management and AI in Healthcare and his engagement with global scientific communities, he remains a catalyst for technological advancement, ensuring that the region remains at the cutting edge of the global knowledge economy.