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Participant Profile​​

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul
Job Title:
​Minister of State for Higher Education
Affiliation:
Ministry of Education
Country:
United Arab Emirates
Biography:
 
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul was appointed Minister of State for Higher Education in February 2016. In this position, H.E. supervises the development of higher education and scientific research in the UAE. In addition, H.E. overseas universities operating in the UAE, the implementation of higher education policies as well as ensuring the delivery of high-quality tertiary education that aligns with labor market requirements.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Masdar, leading the company’s strategic growth and development within the renewable energy and clean technology sector. During this time, H.E. was also a member of the executive committee at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Prior to joining Masdar, H.E. was the Chief Executive Officer of strategy and tourism sector development at Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). During his tenure at DTCM, he played a leading role in developing Dubai’s Tourism 2020 strategy – an integrated effort to increase visitor numbers to 20 million annually and triple the tourism sector’s contribution to the local economy.

H.E. was formerly Vice President, Industry Unit of Mubadala Development Company, where he led a team responsible for negotiating partnerships with multinational organizations to increase foreign direct investment in the UAE.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul’s business development and corporate strategy experience dates back to his work with management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, where he advised the Middle East’s largest telecommunications and high-tech companies.

From 2013 until 2016, H.E. served on the board of Emirates Development Bank, a financial institution setup by the UAE government to promote economic growth in the country through the provision of funding to small and medium-sized companies, industries of strategic importance and key housing developments.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul has a Ph.D. from Sir John Monash University in Australia, a MSc from the University of Melbourne and a BSc in Telecommunications Engineering from Khalifa University.