The University of Manchester appoints first Dubai-based faculty

New senior teaching faculty will also lead University’s Teaching/Learning and Research programmes in the Middle East

26 May 2025 (Dubai – United Arab Emirates): The University of Manchester-Dubai (UoM-D), the Middle East branch of one of the world’s top-ranked universities, has announced the appointment of its first Dubai-based teaching faculty and academic leads in key areas. Dr. Nada Jammoul Messaikeh has been appointed to the role of Senior Lecturer- Management and Organisational Studies & Associate Director of Research. Dr. Amin El-Kholy has been appointed Senior Lecturer - Financial Decision Making & Associate Director of Teaching and Learning.

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Both appointees are highly experienced in higher education and academic research and have long associations with the University in Dubai and Manchester. The appointments follow the award of Institutional Licensure by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research UAE (MOHESR) to The University of Manchester-Dubai (UoM-D), and accreditation of all its academic programmes by The Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).

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Dr. Jammoul has forged a unique relationship with the University over the last 16 years. She first completed her DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) and became a senior alumna, Alumni Ambassador, student mentor, and adjunct faculty with Alliance Manchester Business School. She is the former Associate Vice Provost for Research Administration and Financial Planning at New York University Abu Dhabi where she led the research administration functions including sponsored programmes and internal research grants, post award, research ethics and compliance, undergraduate research programmes, and financial planning at the university. She played an instrumental role in building a research administration infrastructure at NYUAD, designed and implemented research programmes supporting faculty and students, and negotiated and secured funding to support the expansion of the academic and research programmes. From 2007 to 2011, Dr. Nada served as a Finance Director at Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC).

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Dr. Amin El-Kholy was part of the first cohort of Global Part-time MBA students in Dubai, in 2006. He became a senior Alumni Ambassador, student mentor, and adjunct faculty, and served on the Global Advisory Board of Alliance Manchester Business School. Dr. El-Kholy is an experienced investment executive with a background in technology and academic research. He has built and led several highly successful asset management divisions in the UAE and currently serves as Chairman of Introspect Capital, a DIFC-based asset management company. He is also active in the startup space as advisor and angel investor. He holds an MEng in Software Engineering and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from Imperial College London, as well as an MBA in Finance from Alliance Manchester Business School.

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The Dubai-based faculty appointments follow the recent award of Institutional Licensure by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research UAE (MOHESR). Licensure helps pave the way for The University of Manchester to contribute more to the UAE and wider region, through joint academic research programmes. The University’s Middle East operation, established in Dubai in 2006, has also been renamed as The University of Manchester-Dubai, reflecting its status as a branch of the University. The branch supports part-time master’s students (all working professionals), as well as the wider regional alumni community and the University’s corporate and social responsibility partners.  

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Randa Bessiso, Founding Director Middle East at The University of Manchester-Dubai, commented: “We are delighted to announce our first Dubai-based faculty. Dr. Nada and Dr. Amin are exceptional teachers and leaders and have built successful and distinguished careers of their own. They bring outstanding professional experience and personal qualities to the team in Dubai and share the University’s values and mission across teaching, research and social responsibility. The award of Institutional Licensure by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research UAE (MOHESR) will enable us to do more and our ambition is to connect the UAE and region with our world class faculty and research capabilities on campus in Manchester. It’s an exciting prospect and we aim to make a bigger impact and a difference here, further enriching our student learning experience and alumni community, while developing research partnerships. Almost 20 years after launching the University’s part-time master’s programmes here, these appointments are the next major step in a new phase of our development in the UAE and wider region.”

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Part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, The University of Manchester is a centre of teaching excellence, world-class research, outstanding student experience, and social responsibility. Its research and innovation track record includes creating the world’s first artificial nuclear reaction, building the modern computer, isolating graphene, pioneering development economics, and transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment across the world. The University celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024.

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