Leadership

Dr. Ali Charara is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Kuwait and an associate professor of biology. He earned his Ph.D. in neurobiology from Laval University, Canada, in 1997, specializing in the anatomic organization and synaptic circuitry of GABA and glutamate systems. His research focuses on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia, contributing to advancements in neurological studies. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters in leading academic journals. Dr. Charara joined AUK in 2004 as an assistant professor of biology and was promoted to associate professor in 2011. Over the years, he has taught a wide range of biological and interdisciplinary science courses, fostering a research-driven and inquiry-based learning environment. Actively involved in university governance, he has held several leadership roles, including: • Department chair of mathematics and natural sciences (2013-2014) • Associate dean for administration, College of Arts and Sciences (2014-2016) • Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (since 2017)

Dr. Mohammad Issa Al-Elian is the interim dean of the College of Business and Economics and an associate professor of finance at the American University of Kuwait, specializing in corporate finance and risk management. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1991 and a master’s degree in 1995, later receiving a government scholarship in 1998 to pursue a master’s in applied finance (MAF) and a Ph.D. in corporate finance and risk management in Australia. With over 25 years of academic experience, Dr. Al-Elian has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in finance, investment, and risk management at various universities. Passionate about student success, he emphasizes student-centered learning and fosters a collaborative educational environment. Dr. Al-Elian has held several academic leadership roles, including associate dean, dean, and head of department. In these positions, he has played a critical role in curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and interdisciplinary program design, contributing to the enhancement of undergraduate and graduate academic offerings. He has also chaired multiple academic committees, helping to shape institutional policies and strategic initiatives. A dedicated mentor, Dr. Al-Elian supports faculty development and student career advancement, advising students on professional certifications and postgraduate studies. His research interests include corporate finance, financial risk management, international finance, and the energy industry. He has published extensively in reputable journals and actively participates in international and regional conferences, including AACSB seminars in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.

Dr. Mohammed El-Abd is the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at AUK and a professor of computer engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada, in 2008, and his B.Eng. and M.Sc. from Ain Shams University, Egypt. An expert in assessment and accreditation, Dr. El-Abd is a certified ABET program evaluator and a recipient of the AUK-Dartmouth Fellowship (2012). He has authored over 100 research papers, book chapters, and conference proceedings and serves as an associate editor for multiple prestigious journals, including the IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence (TAI), IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies (IEEE-TLT), Swarm and Evolutionary Computation (SWEVO), and Computers & Electrical Engineering. Prof. El-Abd is the founding chair of the IEEE Symposium on Cooperative Metaheuristics (IEEE-SCM) and served as General Co-Chair of the 2023 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON). His research focuses on metaheuristics, evolutionary computation, swarm intelligence, IoT, smart cities, and engineering education. Since 2020, he has been ranked among the top 2% of AI researchers globally, as recognized by the Stanford University–Elsevier list.