Message from the Chancellor
Chancellor Karim Seghir, Ph.D., welcomes students, faculty, and staff to a groundbreaking institution with a 32-year history of innovation and excellence.
The first private university in the UAE – and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at large – AU has been blazing a trail of excellence since 1988. Our University produces exceptionally prepared professionals while also developing and disseminating vital research and knowledge to the public at large. The commitment and expertise demonstrated by AU stakeholders have transformed the lives of more than 38,000 alumni and continues to serve more than 6,000 students each year.
As AU commemorates 35 years of educational excellence, we honor the compelling vision, the constructive wisdom, and the invaluable support of our Board of Trustees, led by His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman.
AU’s high standards are demonstrated across a cross-cultural environment in a variety of ways: relevant scholarship; a strong respect and appreciation for diversity; a robust culture of integrity, governance and continuous improvement; a lasting impact on the community, effective corporate connections, and invaluable alumni engagement.
Each of AU’s 38 programs - 23 undergraduate and 15 graduate programs (including 2 doctorates), all of which are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education, as well as other diverse training programs, offer academic rigor and hands-on experience. Our programs are tailored to the global market, producing research with an impact, while our extensive global alumni network creates an international intellectual environment for stakeholders. The University’s relevant and innovative curricula are designed to set the foundation for lifelong learning. In 2020, Ajman University became one of the first six higher education institutions in the world to receive global accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), the UK’s independent body and a global leader in quality assurance for higher education.
AU is also known for its deep sense of social responsibility to underserved and vulnerable populations. Our students regularly participate in community assistance programs at home and abroad. What sets us apart from other institutions is our unique culture of innovation and compassion. Our efforts have been acknowledged and affirmed by a Five QS Stars rating for social responsibility. We further earned Five QS Stars for our inclusive environment and our world-class faciltilies.
AU offers a rich mix of international faculty from 35 countries and a student body composed of 72 diverse nationalities. The 2025 QS World University Rankings puts AU at #3 in the entire world for international students and #6 in the world for international faculty. We are also ranked by QS to be among the Top 5 in the UAE, and 17 in the Arab Region. All our rankings and accreditaitons can be seen here.
When AU graduates join or re-enter the workforce, they are equipped with critical thinking skills, open minds and rich imaginations cultivated through our foundation courses and a rich array of co-curricular activities. Those who graduate from our programs are innovative, ethical and well-rounded professionals with a deep understanding of the realities of the global market.
Whether you are a prospective faculty, student or partner, I am confident you will be impressed with the inspiring intellectual environment here.
We welcome you to Ajman University – where the future happens now.
Sincerely,
Karim Seghir, Ph.D.
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Learn about the Chancellor's Distinguished Lecture Series by clicking here.
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About the Chancellor
Dr. Karim Seghir is the Chancellor of Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Seghir has extensive and geographically diverse professional experience. Born in France and raised in Tunisia, Dr. Seghir earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1997 from the University of Tunis. He then earned a Master of Science in Mathematical Methods in Economics and Finance, and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Economics and Finance, from University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne in 1998 and 2002, respectively. He served as a post-doc researcher at Universidade NOVA in Lisbon from September 2002 to September 2004. He has also served as a visiting professor at Pontificia Universidade Catolica in Rio de Janeiro in 2003 and at Universidad de Chile in 2010.
Dr. Seghir was an assistant professor of Economics at the American University of Beirut from September 2004 to September 2006. He was then appointed as assistant professor at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Dr. Seghir was appointed as Associate Dean for undergraduate studies and administration of the AUC School of Business in June 2011 and was appointed as Dean of AUC School of Business in July 2014. As Associate Dean for undergraduate studies, Dr. Seghir has managed AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditations.
Dr. Seghir is a member of the Advisory Board of Harvard Business Review (HBR) Arabia. He has also served as a speaker in various regional and international events including AACSB, EFMD, PRME, Economic Research Forum and the World Bank. He is a board member of I-GAUGE, the ratings system for Indian colleges and universities.