IIAF Panel Members - American University in Emirates
Professor Muthanna G. Abdul Razzaq
A profound academic and a distinguished professional, Prof. Muthanna G. Abdul Razzaq completed his Ph.D. in Management Accounting from the University of Manchester (UK). His passion towards bringing educational excellence in the UAE motivated him to establish the American University of the Emirates (AUE) in 2006, where he serves as the President and CEO. His strong belief that the young generation can enter any challenging arena and achieve success if they receive focused attention, an inspiring atmosphere with a bit of extra care and the culture of AUE demonstrates as such. A selfless initiator, Prof. Muthanna with a broad vision, is dedicated to spending his life for the cause of education and educational reforms. He was determined to research the market needs of the region and provide quality education in the niche areas. His strong determination led to propose and offer such academic programs that are not available in the region including but not limited to graduate programs in Diplomacy, Security and Strategic Studies, Sports Management, Security and Intelligence, Intellectual Property Rights, Arbitration, Criminal Justice and many more. His recent initiative of Equine Studies Track is a true example of creative leader. This is a first-of-its-kind offering in the Arab Region. In a recent move, recognizing the need of peace in the region, a Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution was born from his immense desire to further strengthen the peace building interventions in the region. To inculcate higher order critical thinking skills, he established a Debate Center at the University to have active and engaging students. In addition, another unique initiative was the first democratically elected Women’s Council, International Majlis for Women (IMW) to support gender equality.
Professor William Cornwell
Professor William Cornwell is the Provost at the American University in the Emirates (AUE), a private university in Dubai. AUE is known for offering a range of distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs like digital forensics, security studies and information analysis, and sports law. Dr. Cornwell has extensive experience in higher education accreditation and has played a crucial role in securing international accreditations for the university, including prestigious recognitions from SACSCOC, AACSB, and NASAD.
Prof. Cornwell holds an MA and PhD in philosophy from the University of Connecticut (UConn) in the USA. During his time at UConn, he wrote a dissertation titled ‘Knowledge Without Justification’ under the supervision of Ruth Garrett Millikan, a distinguished philosopher known for her work on naturalist approaches to the philosophy of language and mind. His dissertation applied Professor Millikan’s theoretical framework to argue for an externalist theory of justification in epistemology.
Before joining AUE, Professor Cornwell taught full-time at Drew University, Mary Washington College (now the University of Mary Washington), and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Later, he joined the faculty of Salem State University in Massachusetts, where he successfully steered the bid for approval from the state Board of Higher Education to offer a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. In 2018, he became the Dean of AUE’s College of Education before being promoted to Provost in 2020.
Dr. Cornwell has contributed to various areas of philosophy, including ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of mind, philosophy of technology, epistemology, the history of philosophy, and meta-ethics. He has received several awards for his academic accomplishments, including the 2018 Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.
Professor Abhilasha Singh
Ms. Nisrine Rannak
Nisrine Rannak is an experienced higher education professional, serving as the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services at the American University in the Emirates since 2019. With a strong foundation in academia, Nisrine initially joined the institution in 2008 and has steadily risen through the ranks. Prior to assuming her current role, she served as the University Registrar from 2011, showcasing her dedication and expertise in academic administration. Nisrine oversees student life, including career and internship, alumni relations, admissions, registration, advising, library, student recruitment, academic support, library and more. Her comprehensive responsibilities showcase a deep understanding of student needs and institutional dynamics. Her leadership, coupled with academic qualifications, positions her as a dynamic force driving the holistic development of students at the American University in the Emirates.
Mr. Ghayath Abbas
Since 2014, Gheyath M. Al Adilee has been integral in advancing accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and quality assurance as the Director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness at the American University in the Emirates. His expertise in computer science and project management has been pivotal in enhancing the university’s strategic planning and operational efficiency. Gheyath’s role focuses on aligning the university’s goals with quality standards, ensuring compliance with accreditation requirements, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. His contributions have been significant in driving the university towards academic excellence and institutional development.