Al Kaabi Welcomes New ZU Alumni Association Board Members

The board, which acts as the governance body of the Alumni Association, consists of the University’s alumni members that are selected through nomination from their respective colleges based on their professional and academic merits. The board members have been brought together to engage with ZU’s alumni for mutual beneficial partnerships, support their career and professional development, to represent the University in major local and international events  and to collaborate together towards the University’s overall advancement. 

The President of Zayed University, congratulated the new members and expressed confidence in their upcoming role as ambassadors of their fellow alumni, the University, and the UAE to the outside world as their remit includes working on key strategic projects and initiatives that supports the UAE’s National Agenda. The members will Inspire and empower ZU’s Alumni through their contribution to enrich the nation, and foremost, uphold the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the nation, through various initiatives. 

She further added: “As we aspire to move forward together to increase our affiliation and give back to the Zayed University community, we must ensure consistency in embracing a lifelong learning process for our graduates and place it as a core pillar of ZU education mission, so that our graduates can continue to pursue their professional journeys and accelerate towards top positions in society.”


“shaping our graduates with strong communication skills and critical thinking with extensive awareness about the world of work is a noble objective that we seek your continuous support. Linking ZU’s alumni board members with graduates will elevate our efforts towards their personal and professional advancement and the much-needed support you aim to extend toward the foundation of exporting an array of exclusive talents to the world around us,” Al Kaabi said.

Al Kaabi extended her sincere appreciation to all members who were part of our previous boards for their contribution, dedication and efforts on which Zayed University builds this next chapter. “We are extremely grateful to Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum - Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and Shiekha Shamma Bint Khalifa Bin Hamdan - General Secretary AlMubaraka Foundation, Shiekha Osha Bint Nahyan Bin Mubarak, who will remain an important part of the honoree Alumni Association board and as a University we will be reaching out to our distinguished Alumni for their assistance in making the University grow and be the driver for more positive changes and alignments.”

The new board consists of the executive committee members: His Excellency Hassan Al Najjar (ZU Graduate of 2015) will lead the board as the President beside his role as a university council member. Reem Al Otaiba (ZU Graduate of 2010), was selected as the Vice President of the board and currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority beside her job in ADNOC. Mohammed Al Banna (ZU Graduate of 2014) will act as the Strategic Planning and Governance Officer for the Board and he is currently a Senior Research Analyst for Strategy & Innovation at the Prime Minister’s Office. 

‏H.E. Hassan Al Najjar, President of the Zayed University Alumni Association, said: “The Alumni Association Board will be focusing on raising the strategical value of Zayed University as a federal educational institution to be within the top 500 academic institutions. Our efforts will be invested in raising the university’s QS ranking by involving the alumni association members in enhancing the current alumni services & feature the achievements of ZU’s 17,000 graduates on different levels – both locally & internationally,” he said. 

He further added: “We will be working on driving employability efforts and re-designing current practices in the attempts to expand our network with employers to widen the opportunities of ZU’s graduates. We also look forward to encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs to create their own employment opportunities. Furthermore, alumni funding mechanisms will also be a part of our agenda to create new opportunities for alumni association members & many more.” 

Reem Al Otaiba, Vice-President of the Zayed University Alumni Association, said that the aim is to give back to the university and consequently the UAE society. “As the vice-president of the Alumni Association, I am grateful for the opportunity that encompasses gender balance and equal opportunities to all ZU graduates. I have been a part of this fine institution as a student, a teacher and now as an alumni board member, which a testament towards how well invested the university is to its students and graduates. My role would be to continue on the mission and vision of the university’s leadership and work on their agile agenda to stimulate further growth and new means in learning and education” 

The Board shall assign class representatives for each college to represent the cohort they graduated from and voice any concerns and suggestions to the Board and support the Alumni Association in managing its events and activities by acting as major contributors and volunteers. Student Careers & Alumni Department have assigned 14 Faculty college coordinators to ensure the consistency of the projects which enhance student learning experiences as future graduates.