Abu Dhabi University Appoints Professor Nicholas Rees as New Associate Provost

Abu Dhabi University (ADU), an internationally recognized academic institution for quality education and applied research, today named Professor Nicholas Rees its new Associate Provost.

Professor Nicholas Rees is responsible for developing and implementing Abu Dhabi University’s strategy for student success. He is also mandated to position the University as a leading institution in providing best-in-class academic experiences to students.

As an integral member of ADU’s leadership team, Professor Rees will support its efforts in preparing graduates for outstanding careers through world-class education that comprises innovative and flexible programs, international accreditations, applied research and impactful industry and community engagement. The ADU approach will ensure that students are equipped with the key leadership and team-building skills to strive and succeed in their careers.

Speaking on the appointment of Professor Nicholas Rees, Dr Waqar Ahmad, Chancellor of ADU, said: “Outstanding graduates play a crucial role in meeting the ambitions of our leadership to ensure a brighter and more innovative future for the UAE. At ADU, we are committed to honing the creative thinking and problem solving abilities of our graduates so that they become key drivers of the nation’s economy in the future.”

He added: “In our sustained efforts to put students at the heart of everything we do, ADU is keen to establish a leadership that empowers the student with tools to help them become future leaders. Professor Nicholas Rees’s appointment reflects our commitment to equipping our students with the tools for success in the workplaces of tomorrow.”

For his part, Professor Nicholas Rees, ADU’s Associate Provost, said: “I am pleased and proud to assume this new responsibility at ADU that has quickly gained acclaim as an ambitious higher education institution committed to providing exceptional knowledge, skills and support to its students in shaping their success. It will be my endeavor to ensure that students are productively engaged in university life and receive all the guidance they need to achieve their dreams, and become proud graduates of ADU.”

Prior to joining ADU, Professor Nicholas Rees served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and as Professor of International Politics and Contemporary History at Liverpool Hope University in the United Kingdom. In his earlier career, Professor Rees was Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at the National College of Ireland (Dublin) and founding Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Limerick in Ireland, where he led initiatives in learning, teaching, assessment and student experience. 

Professor Rees is also an accomplished research leader in international relations. He has led several large-scale funded research and teaching projects, and authored and edited four books and multiple refereed journal articles, book chapters and conference proceedings.