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In the heart of Dubai — a city defined by fast-paced ambition and possibility — has spent more than two decades building more than just a university campus. He has helped shape UOWD into one of the region’s most dynamic academic institutions and one of Australia’s most successful international education ventures.

The foundations of a world-class campus

When Professor Zein first arrived in Dubai in 2004, the campus had just celebrated a decade as one of the region’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Since then, he’s not only witnessed its growth — he’s helped steer it. A respected academic with a PhD in software engineering, Professor Zein stepped into the presidency in 2015. Today, he oversees a campus with more than 5,000 year to date student enrolments and a reputation built on academic excellence and cultural relevance.

“When I joined, Dubai could already be seen as a successful experience for the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp students to go abroad on their own,” he said. Established as an international branch campus of UOW Australia, UOWD was unique in forging its own path — unlike similar ventures that typically relied on local partnerships for recognition.

This independence, he explains, has given UOWD a unique standing in the international higher education market — one that’s deeply aligned with UOW’s values and DNA. “The ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp did all of this fully as UOW. There was no partner and no third party involved in it,” Professor Zein explains.

with just eight students, UOWD has earned an international reputation for producing highly employable graduates and maintaining exceptional educational standards across multiple industry sectors and is considered one of Australia’s most successful offshore higher education institutions.

Over the past two decades, Professor Zein has cultivated a sense of purpose and belonging among his diverse staff and student body — many of whom may never have had access to a world-class Australian education otherwise.

“For me there is nothing more rewarding than being on-stage for a graduation ceremony,” he shares.

“Cultural barriers are improving in this part of the world, but even 10 years ago or so for example, a number of young, talented women would not have been able to travel abroad to get the degree they want. Many of these people would not have had the chance to be getting a if the education did not come closer — that is the reward.”

Embedding culture, ethics and Australian values

Professor Zein’s roots in engineering and hands-on research within industry may seem an unlikely foundation for a role in higher education leadership, yet his dedication to high standards and structured approaches naturally developed into a model of best practice. From his initial roles as an academic and Head of School, he played a pivotal part in helping “birth” academic quality frameworks that stand alongside those at founding campuses.

But quality, for Professor Zein, extends beyond compliance. He sees it embedded in every aspect of the — from teaching methods to cultural awareness to ethical leadership.

“I think we treat the student as partner, we treat the student as really a very respectful partner,” he said. “We’re in a cultural environment where every now and then I get a grievance from parents saying, ‘I’m paying for my education of my son or my daughter, and the university’s refusing to give me his or her grades’… and we say yes, they are an 18-year-old. There is a policy around this.”

Built on a foundation of shared respect and what he calls the “ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp DNA” — reflecting Australian principles like openness, independent thinking, and inclusiveness — UOWD has grown into a hub for global talent and a place where people build lasting careers. That mindset starts in the learning space.

“The engagement in class has a democratic quality and teachers are not imposing with their ideas.”

The curriculum also reflects this philosophy — combining practical, ethical and industry-relevant learning.

“We develop training that is not just about being technical. It’s about how you talk to others, how you respect culture, how to look at the impact and ethics of what you're doing.”

Delivering the benefits of a modern education in a truly multicultural local context isn’t without its challenges. But Professor Zein’s long-term strategy has contributed to the highly sought-after reputation of UOWD graduates in the region and beyond.

“They are articulate and understand their rights — so they ask the real questions,” he says.

Encounters with graduates in his professional life now bring personal satisfaction and a sense of completion.

“At meetings, nothing makes me prouder than the many times I’ve heard someone confidently say, ‘I’m a UOWD graduate’.”

Looking ahead: Innovation, impact and global vision

As UOW celebrates its 50th anniversary, UOWD is stepping confidently into its next chapter — one grounded in innovation, research and global connectivity.

The vision isn’t just to teach — it’s to build. To lead. To help shape a knowledge economy across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As the region shifts to knowledge-based sustainability, UOWD’s role is becoming even more vital.

“In the future it won’t just be about graduating students and training qualified people, but it’s also about what we've done well in Australia through initiatives like the Innovation Campus. I think the next stage would definitely include bringing our expertise in research, our expertise in innovation, our expertise in those dimensions to this part of the world.”

And that evolution is already underway. Ethical AI, sustainable engineering and corporate responsibility are being embedded into course offerings — with programs designed to prepare graduates not only for employment, but for impact.

“This is what our students are being asked about in job interviews,” Professor Zein shared. “They’re not only looking at your grades.”

From eight students in 1993 to a community now encompassing more than 100 nationalities, UOWD’s trajectory is proof that steady, values-driven growth pays off. For Professor Zein, this spirit is the essence of UOW’s 50th anniversary.

“We were the first international licensed university here,” he reflects with pride. “And now, with such a global presence… it shows the road to the future could be very amazing.”