Robotics and Automations Society Logo
Robotics and Automations Society Logo

Governing
Board Members

  • Dr. Saeed AlDhaheri – Dubai University
    Dr. Saeed AlDhaheri – Dubai University
    President
  • Ali Abuzinjal – Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park
    Ali Abuzinjal – Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park
    Vice President
  • Mohammad AlShamsi – RoboHiTech
    Mohammad AlShamsi – RoboHiTech
    Secretary
  • Khalifa Al Qama – Dubai Future Labs
    Khalifa Al Qama – Dubai Future Labs
    Treasurer
  • Dr. Abdelrahman AlMahmoud – Technology Innovation Institute
    Dr. Abdelrahman AlMahmoud – Technology Innovation Institute
    Governing Board Member
  • Dr. Fahad Almaskari – Khalifa University
    Dr. Fahad Almaskari – Khalifa University
    Governing Board Member
  • Ibrahim Al Najjar – DP World
    Ibrahim Al Najjar – DP World
    Governing Board Member
Dr. Saeed AlDhaheri – Dubai University
President

Dr. Saeed is a futurist, thought leader, author and a public keynote speaker. He is a veteran of the UAE technology industry with over 30 years of experience in driving technology adoption. He has been into many positions: the founder and former Director General of the Emirates ID Authority, a former member of the scientific advisory committee of the UAE Space Agency, and a former Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on information technology. Currently, He is the director of the Center for Futures Studies at the University of Dubai, an adjunct lecturer of public policy: science & technology track at the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), the chairman of the board of Smartworld (a leading digital solutions provider in the UAE), a founding member of the Emirates Robotics & Automation Society (RAS), a member of the Global Future Council on AR/VR of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and a board member of the Emirates Safer Internet Society (eSafe). He is on advisory board of well-known startups including Virtual Rehab Inc and 01Gov, and also on industry advisory boards of several universities in the UAE. He has co-authored the book Digital Nation: How the UAE is building a future based on tech innovation. His interest covers areas including future foresight, innovation, smart cities, digital transformation, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Blockchain and studying impact of emerging technologies on businesses and society.

Ali Abuzinjal – Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park
Vice President

Ali Abuzinjal has more than 20 years of experience in IT and technology domain, Ali has worked in several projects while he was working in Etisalat the leading telecom company in UAE. One of his remarkable projects was designing and implementing the first UAE wireless Broadband network. Ali has supported some of the region’s most notable smart city and digital transformation projects, including Al Reem Island. In 2008, Ali joined a special oversea project as infrastructure and backbone connectivity Manager, he was a key player in establishing and launching Etisalat Nigeria. In 2019 Ali Joined Sharjah Research, Technology, and innovation science park, to support the vision of UAE to build a diversified knowledge economy. Ali is currently the media face of the Science Park, and he appears in several TV. Ali holds a B.S in Telecom Engineering and M.S of Science in Smart Cities and Data Privacy from Khalifa University.

Mohammad AlShamsi – RoboHiTech
Secretary

Mohammed AlShamsi is a renowned robotics expert with over a decade of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Management and a Higher Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering Technology from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai. As the founder of RoboHiTec and the Emirates Robotics Club at HCT-Dubai, Mohammed has demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for robotics. He was recognized as the First Emirati International Robotic Expert by UAE Pioneers and received First Place in Robotics & AI for Good Award 2016. He served as a Mobile Robotic Deputy Chief Expert for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 and is dedicated to advancing the field through innovation and education.

Khalifa Al Qama – Dubai Future Labs
Treasurer

Khalifa AlQama is the Head of Dubai Future Labs (DFL), an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). It is envisioned to be the region’s industrial R&D service centre and home for its first Research and Technology Organization (RTO). In his role, AlQama’s responsibilities include the development of specialized laboratories such as the Dubai Future Labs, the first Applied Research Lab in DFF that focuses on Automation, Robotics and AI. He has also built a team of researchers, scientists and analysts to create work that ensures that businesses in key UAE industries achieve long-term success. From his work in DFF, AlQama is also responsible for attracting key players from niche tech sectors to participate in consortia alongside industry representatives to conduct applied research in critical UAE industries of transport, logistics, services and construction. Prior to becoming Head of DFL, with more than 12 years’ experience in leadership roles and business management, AlQama successfully owned and managed several businesses in multiple fields such as engineering and printed electronics. With a vision and persistence to explore opportunities of untapped potential, he founded Opsys LLC, the multi-disciplinary engineering firm focused on fire prevention, which serves the region’s oil and gas, manufacturing and telecommunications industries with the state-of-the-art cutting-edge system, the CAP9 Fire Prevention System. AlQama completed several training programs including a specialized AI Program by the National Program for Artificial Intelligence. He holds a certificate in Business Information Technology from Higher Colleges of Technology.

Dr. Abdelrahman AlMahmoud – Technology Innovation Institute
Governing Board Member

Dr. Abdelrahman Al Mahmoud is the Principal Cloud and Big Data Researcher at Technology Innovation Institute (TII). He is responsible for Secure Cloud and Machine Learning at the TII’s Secure Systems Research Centre (SSRC). Dr. Abdelrahman has worked in the research domain for nearly 10 years covering topics like big data analytics paradigms, privacy-preserving analytics/machine learning, cyber security, and robotics, which he aims to pursue at SSRC. He also served in the Artificial Intelligence Office in the Prime Minister’s Office as an Advisor/Head of Research and Infrastructure. Dr. Abdelrahman was a member of the UAE Youth Science Council and Sub-Committee member in the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences in its 11th edition with a strong focus on AI in Medicine. He is also an active member of the UAE’s steering committee for the ISO SC42 working group for AI, technical committee member for The Digital School initiative under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. Dr. Abdelrahman holds a Ph.D. in Privacy Preserving Big Data Analytics and a M.S in Computer Science from Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE, and a B.S. in Information System from UAE University.

Dr. Fahad Almaskari – Khalifa University
Governing Board Member

Dr. Fahad Almaskari, Assistant Professor in Aerospace Engineering department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE. He holds B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Arizona, USA. He completed M.S. and Ph.D. programs from the University of Manchester. Dr. Fahad had the honor of being the managing director of the 2nd Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC 2020). In 2017, he launched his first startup “LaunchTech Solutions”, which provides simulation solutions for different industries. He is also the co-founder of DroneLeaf, which aims to democratizing drones for future societies.

Ibrahim Al Najjar – DP World
Governing Board Member