KU Strategic Vision

Khalifa University Townhall Highlights University's Strategic Vision and Sustainability Initiatives

Khalifa University (KU) recently held its Spring 2025 Townhall, where H.E. Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, addressed the university community about the institution's progress and strategic direction. The event, which took place in March 2025, served as a platform for open discussion and transparent communication between leadership and the university community.


Strategic Progress and Core Pillars

Prof. Al Hajri opened the session by acknowledging the strong turnout and reflecting on the university's journey since the previous assembly. "We've had our first meeting somewhere in September last year, where we've looked at the achievements of the university at that point in time," he stated, explaining that the initial gathering had established a starting point for crafting the institution's strategy.

The President emphasized that these townhall events will continue to showcase the university's progress and serve as a forum for two-way communication. "We would like to use this platform to engage with you and communicate with you in an open discussion, open sort of informal way," Prof. Al Hajri explained, highlighting the collective responsibility for advancing the university.


Five Strategic Goals and Nine Aspirational Enablers

During the townhall, Prof. Al Hajri reiterated Khalifa University's vision to become a globally leading university, stimulating positive change and shaping the future. To achieve this vision, the university has five key strategic goals for 2024-2028:

  • Outstanding Student Experience
  • Impactful Research
  • Catalyst for Economic Development
  • Community, Partner, and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Operational Excellence

These goals are supported by nine strategic aspirations that will enable and realize KU's vision:

  • A premier university and magnet for talent
  • A university driven by excellence, integrity, and impact
  • A commitment to sustainability
  • A student-centered institution
  • A strong ecosystem built on collaboration and engagement
  • A launchpad for future leaders and disruptors
  • A leader in academic excellence
  • A leading research institution globally
  • An enabling ecosystem for commercialization

Sustainability: A Broader Perspective

One focus of the townhall was on sustainability, which Prof. Al Hajri clarified extends beyond environmental concerns. "Sustainability, we don't just mean, you know, being green, that's only a small portion of it," he explained. As a communinty, he emphasized the need to consider financial sustainability, social sustainability, etc. As a collective, the community should consider how we sustain the university’s brand and how do we advance it forward.

The President outlined a comprehensive view of sustainability that includes:

  • Financial sustainability
  • Brand sustainability
  • Infrastructure sustainability
  • People retention and development

UN Sustainable Development Goals Alignment

The townhall presentation also highlighted how the university is aligning its strategy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each of KU's five strategic goals has been mapped to primary and secondary SDG alignments to ensure that the university's efforts contribute to global sustainability objectives.

For instance, the "Outstanding Student Experience" goal primarily aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), while "Impactful Research" connects with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).


Facility Management Sustainability Initiatives

The Facility Management department presented specific sustainability integration and optimization plans during the townhall. The objective is to incorporate sustainable practices across KU's operations by optimizing resource usage, reducing environmental impact, and promoting long-term sustainability."


Strategic Retreats and Implementation

The university has been conducting a series of strategic retreats to cascade its objectives throughout the organization. The Support Services retreat identified four key focus areas:

  • Customer-Focused Culture
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making
  • Seamless and Standardized Policies & Procedures
  • Continuous Improvement & Service Excellence

Similarly, the Research retreat with 65 participants focused on five key areas, including research commercialization and research culture and environment, while the Outstanding Student Experience retreat with 55 participants, including 15 students, addressed student attributes and academic strategic priorities.


Flagship Projects

Prof. Al Hajri highlighted two flagship projects that demonstrate the government's trust in the university:

  • Polar Research Center: A partnership with the Presidential Court and UiT Arctic University of Norway, which aims to contribute to polar sciences and establish UAE as an active contributor in this field.
  • Abu Dhabi School of Government: Set to launch in Fall 2025, this initiative will offer Master's programs and executive education, positioning itself as "the global benchmark and regional hub for excellence in impactful governance."

Celebrating Achievements

The townhall also celebrated KU's recent achievements, including its QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, where the university ranked #1 in the UAE in 10 subjects. Notably, KU is ranked 7th globally in Petroleum Engineering and has made significant jumps in Mathematics and Engineering & Technology rankings.

The successful Research & Innovation Exhibition was another highlight, featuring over 100 projects, 32 industry applications, and 31 startups, which attracted more than 2,000 attendees.


Conclusion

The Spring 2025 Townhall reinforced Khalifa University's dedication to transparency, collaborative progress, and comprehensive sustainability as it continues its journey toward global leadership in education, research, and innovation.