Sharjah: American University of Sharjah's (AUS) Executive Education and Professional Development has entered into a strategic partnership with the Global Centre for AI Excellence (GCAIE) to enhance national AI capabilities and foster growth within the AI economy across government and enterprise sectors.
According to Emirates News Agency, the collaboration agreement was signed by Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and Dr. Yousef Saadeh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of GCAIE, with senior executives from both institutions present. The partnership aims to jointly develop a range of executive education programs, professional certifications, and organizational capability-building initiatives that align with the Global AI Excellence Model (GAIEM). This framework assists governments, enterprises, and institutions in adopting AI in a structured and measurable manner, including pathways such as AI Excellence Fundamentals, AI Excellence Practitioner, AI Excellence Assessor, and Lead AI Excellence Assessor. Executive programs will focus on AI governance, responsible AI adoption, organizational readiness, and AI-enabled transformation.
Dr. Tod Laursen emphasized that AI has become a strategic necessity for organizations striving to remain competitive and resilient. He noted that the collaboration supports the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 by preparing leaders and professionals with the necessary skills, governance mindset, and practical capabilities for the digital economy's next phase. Through this partnership, AUS is contributing to Sharjah's and the UAE's ambition to be a regional and global hub for innovation, excellence, and future-ready talent.
Dr. Yousef Saadeh highlighted that the next wave of AI advantage will stem not only from technology access but from building trusted, sovereign, and AI-native organizations. As AI adoption accelerates among governments and enterprises, leadership capability, governance, and workforce readiness will become crucial differentiators. The collaboration with AUS aims to develop talent, capabilities, and institutional foundations necessary to transform AI ambition into sustainable economic and societal value.
Furthermore, AUS and GCAIE plan to explore opportunities for thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and industry engagement that support standards-based AI practices and organizational transformation in Sharjah and the broader GCC.
AUS Executive Education provides leaders, professionals, and organizations with essential skills for success in a rapidly changing world. By combining AUS' academic excellence with industry expertise, it offers practical, future-focused programs in leadership, strategy, AI, sustainability, entrepreneurship, public policy, and professional development to facilitate career growth and organizational impact.
