American University of Sharjah (AUS) has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with the Global Centre for AI Excellence (GCAIE) to enhance national artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and support the growth of the AI economy across government and enterprise sectors.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and Dr. Yousef Saadeh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of GCAIE, in the presence of senior executives from both institutions.
Under the agreement, AUS Executive Education and Professional Development and GCAIE will jointly develop a portfolio of executive education programs, professional certifications and organizational capability-building initiatives aligned with the Global AI Excellence Model (GAIEM), GCAIE’s framework designed to help governments, enterprises and institutions adopt AI through a structured and measurable approach.
The collaboration will include programs such as AI Excellence Fundamentals, AI Excellence Practitioner, AI Excellence Assessor and Lead AI Excellence Assessor pathways.
It will also cover executive education programs focused on AI governance, responsible AI adoption, organizational readiness and AI-enabled transformation, aimed at equipping professionals and organizational leaders with practical skills to implement and manage AI initiatives effectively across sectors.
The two organizations will further explore opportunities for thought leadership, knowledge exchange and industry engagement aimed at supporting standards-based AI practices and organizational transformation in Sharjah and across the GCC region.
Dr. Tod Laursen Chancellor – AUS
“AI has become a strategic imperative for organizations seeking to remain competitive and resilient. Our collaboration with GCAIE supports the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 by preparing leaders and professionals with the skills, governance mindset and practical capabilities needed for the next phase of the digital economy. Through this partnership, AUS is contributing to Sharjah’s and the UAE’s ambition to become a regional and global center for innovation, excellence and future-ready talent.”
Dr. Yousef Saadeh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of GCAIE, said that, “The partnership would help organizations build long-term AI capabilities. The next wave of AI advantage will not come from access to technology alone, but from the ability to build trusted, sovereign and AI-native organizations. As governments and enterprises accelerate AI adoption, leadership capability, governance and workforce readiness will become key differentiators. Through our collaboration with AUS, we are helping develop the talent, capabilities and institutional foundations needed to translate AI ambition into sustainable economic and societal value.”
