One of the region’s most established international universities, the American University in Dubai (AUD) has appointed Dr. David Schmidt as its new President this month, ahead of the new academic year.
Bringing a wealth of experience, a high degree of enthusiasm and a vision that will enable him lead AUD to new heights in the education sector, Dr David Schmidt will replace Dr. Lance de Masi, who retired last year after an outstanding career of service in the role of President of AUD since 1997.
Commenting on his new role, Dr David Schmidt said: “It is my honor to accept the role of President of the American University in Dubai, and I look forward to becoming a part of the diverse academic community of students, faculty and alumni, who proudly call AUD their home. I look forward to guiding AUD as it builds on its successful history in the region, and looks to serve Dubai and the UAE as a leader in providing education that prepares students for a world of new opportunities and challenges.”
Dr. Schmidt joins the university from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where he served as Vice Provost of International Affairs and Professor of Global Studies and Human Geography since 2011. In these roles, he was responsible for the leadership of the university’s international and global programs, as well as oversight of the university’s international student recruitment, enrollment, and retention initiatives. Schmidt also oversaw the MTSU Office of Education Abroad, Office of International Admissions, Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Confucius Institute, Middle East Center and South East Asian Center.
Justin G. Cooper, Chairman of the Governing Board of the American University in Dubai commented: “We welcome David to AUD and look forward to working alongside him, as his fresh approach to leadership, his vision and his energy as it engages the diverse university community here in the Middle East, to build on the future of AUD.”
With an extensive knowledge of the education sector through his previous roles, Dr. Schmidt’s past positions include Executive Director of the Bechtel International Center at University of the Pacific, Director of the University of Wisconsin Institute for Global Studies, as well as the Founding Fellowships Coordinator at the Yale University Center for International and Area Studies, and Director of International Programs at William Woods University.
His academic background is also exemplary, having earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University, a M.A. in Japanese from The Ohio State University and a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He also completed the Harvard Institute of Higher Education’s Management and Leadership in Education Program and has received numerous awards and fellowships for excellence in education and scholarship.
Dr. Schmidt will undoubtedly bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the AUD which strives to develop critical thinking, effective communication and lifelong learning skills amongst its students. As part of his new role, Dr. Schmidt plans to work to empower and guide students to lasting academic and professional success, providing academic programs, services, facilities, and technologies that offer diverse opportunities for learning, and that foster intercultural understanding as a basis for preparing students to be members of a global community.
The appointment comes at an exciting time for AUD as the university has also recently launched an array of projects in Dubai including its participation in the ‘National Innovation Strategy’ inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai. The project aims to sustain the UAE’s leading position in the region and realize its ambition of becoming one of the most innovative nations in the world.
AUD was also recently selected by the PMO’s office as one of two UAE universities to launch the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (ACEI). The ACEI’s aim is to develop a vibrant platform where interdisciplinary entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers can share their knowledge and move their entrepreneurial and innovative ideas from concept to implementation. The center will also serve as an umbrella under which innovative ideas formulated by students, and supported by faculty, are developed.
