Board members offer advice and advocate for the Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) and Stirling Management School (SMS), helping University of Stirling Rak campus to improve the experience of students and other stakeholders. Members bring skills, knowledge and a depth of experience from a range of sectors and organizations, along with a genuine passion to benefit students’ learning, development and employability.
The Board is also a forum for the exchange of good practice and a 'critical friend' to the University of Stirling RAK campus. Members advise on the taught portfolio of programmes and connect the Academic team with businesses, organisations and strategic partners to maximise opportunities for external engagement, knowledge exchange and collaboration.
University of Stirling, RAK Campus Industry Advisory Board meets twice in each academic year. Members also donate their time to engage with students and staff in a number of events and activities throughout the year.
The University Relations and Strategic Alliances department ensures representation from esteemed national, international, and governmental organisations, fostering meaningful partnerships with Industry Advisory Board members who act as strategic advisors.
Zahra Zayat is an experienced, results driven senior executive currently leading evision / e& life as Chief Commercial Officer. With deep expertise in driving sustainable growth, scalability, and digital transformation, Zahra Zayat plays a key role in shaping the future of digital media, technology-driven and consumer digital services, ensuring strategic growth across diverse markets.
With a career spanning leadership role in telecom, media, financial services, management consulting, and digital platforms, Zahra has successfully driven scalability, revenue growth, and market entry strategies. She is a recognized leader in streaming services and digital commerce, with a strong ability to forge impactful partnerships that fuel innovation.
A visionary and strategic thinker, Zahra is passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technologies and digital solutions to enhance consumer experiences and drive business transformation. Zahra has led diverse teams across multiple commercial roles covering MENAP. She is known for her innovative thinking, problem-solving mindset, cross-functional leadership, and ability to build high-performing teams that deliver tangible results.
Committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and high-growth ecosystem, Zahra thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments where she can push boundaries and create meaningful impact.
Ahmad bin Essa is a highly accomplished executive with over 24 years of experience in the media, entertainment, and real estate sectors, specializing in organizational transformation, strategic leadership, and customer experience enhancement. He currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer & Chief Technical Officer at Dubai Holding Entertainment, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the entertainment industry.
Before joining Dubai Holding, Ahmad held senior leadership roles at some of the region’s most prominent entertainment destinations. As Deputy CEO of Dubai Parks and Resorts, he contributed to the strategic transformation of the business, reinforcing its position as a leading entertainment destination in the Middle East. Prior to that, as CEO of Global Village, he spearheaded the redevelopment and transformation of the attraction, significantly enhancing its global appeal.
Ahmad also brings extensive real estate development and operational experience, having worked with the Engineer’s Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, where he led operations for iconic projects in Dubai’s government sector. His career also includes leadership roles at Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company and a marine engineering tenure with BP, UK.
In addition to his executive leadership, Ahmad has actively contributed to the advancement of the entertainment industry through key board positions. He currently serves as the Chairman of Global Village and a Board Member of Legoland Dubai Resorts. He previously held a three-year board position with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), USA, further strengthening his global influence in the industry.
Ahmad is a distinguished graduate of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Leadership Program with a strong academic background spanning multiple disciplines. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Performance Management at Anglia Ruskin University, UK, expected to be completed in 2025. His educational qualifications include a Master’s degree in International Law from the University of Paris II, an Executive Master’s in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics from ESCP Business School, France, and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Sunderland, UK. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northumbria University, UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Imam Malik College, UAE. His further academic achievements include a Diploma in Public Administration from the National University of Singapore and a Diploma in Small and Medium Enterprise Entrepreneurship from Cambridge International College.
Ahmad has been widely recognized for his contributions to the entertainment and business sectors, earning a place among Dubai’s 100 Most Influential People (2019) as listed by Arabian Business. His global influence in the theme park industry was further acknowledged when he was featured in Blooloop’s Top 50 Theme Park Influencers Worldwide (2020). Committed to developing others and fostering talent within the community, he actively contributes as a coach in the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Student Personal Development Program. Additionally, his dedication to student advocacy was evident during his time as a student in the UK, where he served as Vice President of the UAE Student Union in the UK & Ireland.
Ahmad’s extensive leadership experience, strategic vision, and global industry expertise make him an invaluable member of the Industry Advisory Board. His ability to drive organizational transformation, combined with his strong academic background and mentorship contributions, positions him as a key asset in shaping the future growth and strategic direction of our organization. We are honored to have Mr. Ahmad Bin Essa as a valued member of University of Stirling RAK Campus Industry Advisory Board.
Global Leadership:
With responsibility for managing Talent Acquisition across 9 countries, Damian supports the delivery of over 4,500 new hires annually across regions including the Middle East, India, Egypt, Northern Europe, and is currently expanding recruitment efforts in the Americas (NYC and Panama).
Talent Mobility & Succession:
Damian is dedicated to driving the Talent Mobility Agenda, ensuring both internal and external leadership succession across the Group and its investments.
People-Centric Approach:
He collaborates across the HR team to ensure we continue delivering a world-class experience for both our colleagues and candidates.
Diversity & Inclusion Advocate:
Co-leading the Diversity & Inclusion agenda, Damian is focused on advancing the Women-in-Leadership program and increasing inclusion for People of Determination across the Group.
Mr. Qirem is Chief Executive Officer of Edelman Middle East and is responsible for the business in the region, including three offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He is also Deputy Chair of Corporate Affairs for EMEA.
Born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and London, UK, Omar has twenty years' strategy and communications experience in government, agency and corporate roles in Europe and the Middle East. He has provided communications counsel for private-sector campaigns, major government initiatives, and public policy issues.
Mr. Qirem has advised ministers from British, Saudi, and UAE governments, and has also counseled prominent CEOs, including the leaders of Abdul Latif Jameel and Majid Al Futtaim. He was also one of four global media and crisis trainers for energy-giant Shell.
Mr. Qirem has been recognized as one of the top 50 communication professionals in the Middle East six years in a row by PR Week. Omar was also announced as a Fellow of the PRCA, the world's largest communications association, for his overall contribution to the industry.
Mr. Qirem re-joined Edelman from Saudi Arabian family business Abdul Latif Jameel where he was Global Director of Communications. In this role, he was responsible for international communications covering 30 countries and 16,000 staff across multiple sectors such as automotive, energy, land, and investments.
Mr. Qirem is a Politics and History graduate and the youngest ever person to be a British government spokesman at the age of 21.
Tamil Selvan Ramadoss is a Seasoned Strategic Finance & Business Transformation Professional trained from Harvard Business School (HBS), with International accreditations in Finance, Accounting, Project Management, International Arbitration, Risk Management, Sustainable Finance and Maritime Economics. He has more than 25 years of International Corporate world experience across 20+ verticals, ranging from International Maritime Sector, Dubai Ports & Free Zones, Dubai Government, Jebel Ali Free Zone & Regulatory Bodies, Banking, Automobile, Telecom, Electronic & Home Appliances, Real Estate, Construction & Building Materials, Hospitality, Hygiene Wet-Tissues, Industrial Transformers, Ready-Mix Concrete, Utilities, Crumb-Rubber and Hydroponics Farming.
He specializes in Strategic Financial Planning, Sustainable & Transition Finance, Financial Reporting (IFRS & IPSAS), Public-Private Partnership, International Arbitration, Maritime Economics, Project Mgt., Digital Transformation & Intelligent Automation, Profit Maximization, Risk assessment, and driving business transformation across multiple industries.
Mr. Tamil is currently heading as Group Chief Finance & Business Transformation Officer of RMB Holdings, JAFZA, UAE. In the past 25 years has served in various capacities as Group CFO, Group Head of Finance at Dubai Government Ports Customs, Free Zone & Maritime Authority, MASA Group, JAFZA, Dubai, Dubai World, Citicorp, Deutsche Bank, Ford Motors and in various Large Business Houses in UAE and India. His Corporate world accomplishments includes managing Annual Revenues of AED 1 Bn, Feasibility & Market Growth of USD 2.5 Bn, and contributed to prestigious project of Dubai Maritime sector namely, Dubai’s Maritime Cluster study that ranked Dubai within top ten “Leading Maritime Capitals of the world” and ranked fifth for Attractiveness & Competitiveness in 2017.
An International Multi-Award-Winning Finance Leader ranked as “Top 100 Leaders in Finance”, “Outstanding Leadership Award”, “Visionary Award” and “Best CFO & Taxation Expert Award” for 4 consecutive years (7 Awards) from 2021-2024 by the Global Conference on Insurance & Finance, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, USA, the Money 2.0 Conference, Dubai, UAE and Impact Leadership Global Awards, Dubai, UAE.
Currently Mr. Tamil is serving in 2 International Committees of Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA, as the Advisory Member of Research Committee (IRF), and as Thought Leadership Member of the Code of Ethics (CoE) Committee. In Dubai, He is also serving as the Director-At-Large at the Dubai Chapter of Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA and as Chairman-PD Program of The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), Dubai Oveseas Centre. He is the Editorial Advisor of the Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), of the Journal of Business Studies (JBS), published by the Institute of Innovation in Technology & Management, New Delhi, India. The Journal is listed in CARE group of University Grants Commission (UGC) recognized Journals.
An Internationally-acclamied Speaker and Triple-Helix Model Expert, Mr. Tamil has delivered his speeches & guest lectures in more than 50 Public sessions at various international conferences, events, institutions and universities including, Obuda University-Hungary, Middlesex University-Dubai, Murdoch University-Dubai, City University-Ajman, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University-India, RIT-India, ICAI (India), ICMAI (India), IMA(USA), GIoPAC-India, WOFA-Inida, PWC Academy-Dubai, IITM-Delhi, Accounting & Finance Show-Dubai & Singapore, Middle-East Rail Show-Dubai & Abu Dhabi, GCC Finance Summit-Dubai, and CFO Connect Conference-Kuwait.
Mr. Tamil with more than 30 international professional certifications, is a Certified Management & Public Accountant, Certified CMA (USA), ACMA, MCSI, PMP, RMP, and Fellow of esteemed global professional bodies, including FIPA (Australia), FFA (UK), FCPA (UK). He is highly passionate about Public speaking, Training, Coaching and disseminating of professional knowledge. He has over 23 years of part-training experience for various professional certifications like CMA-(USA), PMP-(USA), PMI-RMP-(USA), CCC-(USA), ACMA-(India), CPA-(USA) and ACCA-(UK). A true champion of Education & Academia, Mr. Tamil was awarded consequently in 2023 & 2024 at the World Education Summit, Dubai as the “Outstanding Leader in Higher Education” with the citation “For his remarkable contribution in imparting more than 27,000 hours of part-time training and teaching globally to more than 6000 students and aspirants in higher education sector during the past two decades (2002 - 2022) and in championing the Triple Helix Model of integrating Academia and the Industry."
Michael is a Senior Director of Communications at Presight where he leads the communications function for the organization.
With more than 20 years of marketing communications experience, Michael has served as a senior communications advisor to governments, policy makers and some of the world’s leading telco and technology brands, including the GSMA, Intel, Qualcomm, Samsung, the Mobile and Wireless Forum, Etisalat, stc, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, Tencent, Huawei, Alibaba, G42, PIF, MCIT, ICANN and Motorola. He specialises in thought leadership positioning, public affairs, content marketing, stakeholder engagement and issues management.
Prior to Presight, Michael was the Head of Technology Practice MEA at PR agency Burson, where he led a team of 50 consultants and was a trusted counsel for local, regional and global clients in the public sector, telecommunications, IT, software, enterprise, esports and consumer technology sectors.
Prior to Burson, Michael managed communications in the Asia Pacific and MENA regions for US technology company, Neustar. During his five years in this role, Michael led global communications and stakeholder engagement efforts to influence one of the biggest changes to the Internet in its history, with the introduction of new Top-Level Domains. This included the launch of the world’s first Arabic Top-Level Domain, شبكة. (pronounced dot shabaka, translates to .web in English) and leading the communications and change management strategy for the $120 million acquisition of Bombora Technologies.
Prior to this, Michael spent five years as a senior communications advisor in Australia to the world’s two mobile phone industry associations, who represent every telecommunications company globally.
Michael is an award-winning communicator. His awards include being named an IABC Communicator of the Year in 2015 and one of B&T Magazine’s 30 under 30 marketers.
He holds a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) from RMIT University with majors in business and politics.
Fahad is a seasoned IT leader with over 18 years of experience driving large-scale technology transformations across the MENA region. As the Senior Director of IT at Talabat (Delivery Hero), he played a pivotal role in scaling the company from 100 to 7,000 employees while enabling its remarkable 100%+ year-on-year growth. His expertise lies in IT enterprise architecture, strategic digital transformation, IT security and operational excellence.
IT Team Building & Leadership: Built and scaled IT teams from scratch, fostering a high-performance culture that achieved a 70%+ Net Promoter Score.
Complex IT Infrastructure Management: He has successfully designed and managed IT infrastructures across 175+ locations, including corporate offices, warehouses, dark stores and cloud kitchens.
User & Service Support: Successfully led IT operations to support 7,000 users, ensuring seamless service delivery and operational efficiency.
Cost Optimization & Efficiency: Through strategic planning, he delivered a 20% reduction in annual IT budgets while maintaining an impressive 99.99% SLA uptime.
Cybersecurity & Compliance: Fahad ensured zero security breaches over nine years and upheld full compliance with PCI-DSS and industry standards.
A passionate innovator, Fahad stays ahead of emerging technologies, ensuring IT strategies are aligned with business goals. His leadership is dedicated to delivering scalable, secure, and efficient IT solutions that drive measurable business impact.
Fahad is responsible for driving IT strategy, digital transformation, and operational excellence. He is a solution architect and cybersecurity leader. He holds CCIE #45458 and an MBA.
Matteo Boffa is a Swiss Serial Impact-Entrepreneur and investor, resident in Dubai since 2016.
After dedicating over 9 years of his career in the world of finance (Swiss Private Banker) and nearly 2 years in the Swiss Army (Chief Sergeant Major), he decided to make a radical change in his life and undertake a path linked to sustainability, social positive impact and the protection of the environment.
He is an active investor and part of the board of several companies worldwide. Matteo also lectures entrepreneurship, social impact and sustainability in multiple universities in the UAE and Switzerland.
Furthermore, our objective extends to cultivating significant relationships with both students and alumni, instrumental for the strategic development and progress of the university. We endeavor to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem for University of Stirling, RAK, UAE students, and alumni. Our initiative includes the establishment of country-specific alumni chapters, facilitating their own events and bolstering recruitment drives. We strive to encourage and nurture close connections among the alumni, fostering a deep-rooted sense of belonging to the university.
- September 2020 - awarded by Forbes as "30under30"
- November 2022 - awarded by MEED as "Middle East Young Entrepreneur of the Year"
- January 2023 - awarded by Business Tabloid as "Green Entrepreneur of the Year"
- May 2023 Matteo has become one of the speakers of the prestigious TEDx.
- Mr Boffa’s Motto is “don't spend to destroy, invest to create”!
An accomplished Internal Audit Professional with extensive experience in both public and private sectors, Mr. Sultan Fulad has a proven track record in enhancing governance and compliance frameworks. His expertise spans financial audits, compliance assessments, corporate governance evaluations, and risk management strategies, making him a vital asset to any organization.
Mr. Fulad holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, complemented by several professional certifications including Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Financial Crime Investigation, and VAT Compliance Diploma. His academic foundation, combined with practical experience, equips him with a unique perspective on financial integrity and operational efficiency.
A visionary Marketing Leader with 14 years of experience in Digital Marketing, E-commerce, and Logistics, driving innovative strategies that elevate brand presence and fuel business growth. Currently Asst. Vice President, Global Marketing at ODeX, leading global marketing initiatives to expand market reach and strengthen industry positioning.
Expert in data-driven marketing, brand storytelling, and strategic partnerships, with a Global MBA from SP Jain School of Management. Proven success in crafting high-impact campaigns, optimizing go-to-market strategies, and leading cross-functional teams has led to remarkable triumphs at TIKI, including a significant 20% contribution to total platform revenue.
Thrives in dynamic, global environments, shaping marketing strategies across Vietnam, Singapore, and Dubai. Passionate about emerging trends, technology, and disruptive marketing that redefine industry standards.
Dedicated pianist, freediver, and yogi—embracing creativity, mindfulness, and adventure in every pursuit. Always open to new challenges and collaborations that push boundaries.
A visionary Human Resources leader, Ms. Hellen Lebone brings extensive experience in driving HR transformation across a range of industries, including Information Technology, Petrochemicals, Financial Services, and Hospitality. Her expertise lies in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, ensuring measurable improvements in organizational performance.
With a career spanning local and multi-national organizations across the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean, Lebone has excelled in shaping HR strategies, talent management programs, and organizational change initiatives. She has partnered with senior leadership teams to foster high-performance cultures, optimize workforce planning, and implement impactful Compensation & Benefits and Diversity & Inclusion programs.
Currently leading HR strategy across multiple hotel properties in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman, Ms. Lebone drives key initiatives in talent development, leadership growth, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and succession planning. She collaborates closely with senior leadership to align HR goals with business strategies, enhancing operational efficiency, workforce retention, and overall organizational culture.
Ms. Lebone’s commitment to employee well-being has led to the successful implementation of programs focused on improving work-life balance and engagement. She oversees innovative compensation and benefits strategies, compliance, and risk management while championing digital transformation in HR operations.
Through her focus on internal talent mobility and reducing turnover, Ms. Lebone builds high-performing teams that contribute to positioning organizations as employers of choice. Her passion for culture transformation, strategic growth, and delivering HR solutions that support long-term organizational success make her a trusted leader in the HR space.
Fatiha Bensalem is a highly respected media executive, a recognized expert and trendsetter in kids’ content. With a deep understanding of audience engagement and market trends, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of children’s entertainment. Under her leadership, ejunior Kids Channel has consistently secured its lead position. Her expertise extends beyond kids’ content to anime and Western entertainment, ensuring a rich and engaging viewing experience for a broad audience.
With a strategic and creative approach, Fatiha excels in:
Content Acquisition & Strategy – Securing top-tier content for linear TV, SVOD, AVOD, and FAST platforms.
Negotiations & Contract Management – Successfully leading high-stakes contract negotiations with major studios.
Budgeting & Programming – Managing budgets, channel grids, and traffic scheduling to optimize content delivery.
Marketing & Digital Branding – Building and promoting strong media brands through innovative marketing and digital strategies.
Production & Storytelling – Hands-on experience in directing, post-production, and scriptwriting to craft engaging narratives.
Digital Product Management – Enhancing UI/UX and backend operations for seamless digital experiences.
International Expansion & Partnerships – Driving global content distribution and managing carriage deals with leading studios.
As a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Fatiha is actively involved in shaping the global media landscape. She successfully launched Bloom Preschool Channel, addressing the ever growing concern over children mental health and providing a safe TV viewing experience, reinforcing her influence in the industry.
Beyond her professional contributions, she is committed to CSR initiatives focused on children, using media as a tool to educate, inspire, and foster positive social change.
With a unique blend of creative vision and commercial acumen, Fatiha continues to drive innovation in content strategy, setting new standards in kids’ entertainment and beyond.
Mr. Ashim Roy is a distinguished Geoscientist and business leader with over 37 years of experience in the global mining industry. His expertise spans across open-cast and underground mining, process plant setups and operations, geological exploration in both greenfield and brownfield settings, and large-scale infrastructure projects involving underground tunnels and bridges. With a strong track record of achieving strategic goals and operational excellence, Mr. Roy is known for leveraging innovation to meet and exceed board-mandated objectives.
Currently, Mr. Roy serves as the COO & Vice President of Operations at Fura Gems, where he oversees all global operations in Mozambique, Colombia, and Australia. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing profitable ruby mining operations in Mozambique and Australia, where he has spent over a decade driving sustainable growth and championing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Prior to his role at Fura Gems, Mr. Roy held key positions in the mining sector, including serving as General Manager of the Gemfields project in Mozambique and Zambia. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in transforming assets from Greenfield projects into highly profitable mines. His introduction of a scientific approach to the color gemstone mining industry significantly enhanced operational efficiency and productivity.
Beyond gemstone mining, Mr. Roy has vast experience in international business development and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). He previously worked with Reliance Industries in India, contributing to major business expansion strategies. His extensive expertise also includes his tenure as Chief Geologist at AFCON, where he played a critical role in the Himalayan Railway project. Earlier in his career, he spent two decades as a Senior Scientist in the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, further solidifying his reputation as a leading expert in geosciences.
With a career spanning multiple continents and industries, Mr. Ashim Roy continues to be a driving force in the mining sector, blending technical expertise, strategic vision, and operational excellence to create lasting impacts in the field of geoscience and mining.
University of Stirling
P.O.Box 41222
RAKEZ Academic Zone
Al Dhait South
Ras Al Khaimah
United Arab Emirates
