Prof Bassam Alameddine, President, American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)

In this new episode, host Dr Ashraf Mahate sits down with Prof Bassam Alameddine, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), to discuss future-proofing the next generation of graduates. Prof Bassam shared how his own formative journey and struggles - including growing up during the Lebanese civil war - taught him resilience and humility, traits that now drive his forward-thinking approach to leadership. They discuss:  How universities must prioritize teaching the human inflection points that machines can't replicate: critical thinking, curiosity, humility, empathy, and teamwork. AURAK was the first university in the UAE to offer a Bachelors degree in AI. Instead of hiding from technology or acting like police, educators must lean into transparency and teach students to use AI critically and responsibly. Creating employers, not only employees, with interdisciplinary projects combining engineering, business, and mass media. AURAK's goal is fostering a true entrepreneurial spirit so graduates build businesses and strive for impact, rather than just apply for jobs. Prof Bassam explores how education is no longer about sitting in rows and absorbing passive lectures. It’s about agility, experiential learning, and lifelong adaptability.