One of the region’s most established international universities, the American University in Dubai (AUD), has appointed Dr. David Schmidt as its new president.
Replacing Dr. Lance de Masi, who retired last year after being president of the university since 1997, Dr. Schmidt, who brings a wealth of experience to his new post, has a clear vision for the future, commenting: “It is my honour to accept the role of president of the American University in Dubai, and I look forward to becoming a part of the diverse academic community of students, faculty, and alumni, who proudly call AUD their home. I look forward to guiding AUD as it builds on its successful history in the region, serving Dubai and the UAE as a leader in providing education that prepares students for a world of new opportunities and challenges.”
Dr. Schmidt joins AUD from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where he was responsible for the leadership of the university’s international and global programmes, as well as overseeing its international student recruitment, enrolment, and retention initiatives. Dr. Schmidt also oversaw the MTSU Office of Education Abroad, Office of International Admissions, Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Confucius Institute, Middle East Centre, and South East Asian Centre.
As part of his new role, Dr. Schmidt plans to work to empower and guide students to lasting academic and professional success, providing academic programmes, services, facilities, and technologies that offer diverse opportunities for learning, and that foster intercultural understanding as a basis for preparing students to be members of a global community.
The appointment comes at an exciting time for AUD, as the university has also recently been selected by the PMO’s office as one of two UAE universities to launch the ‘Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre (ACEI)’. The ACEI’s aim is to develop a vibrant platform where interdisciplinary entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers can share their knowledge and move their entrepreneurial and innovative ideas from concept to implementation. The centre will also serve as an umbrella under which innovative ideas formulated by students, and supported by faculty, are developed.
