The School of Management (SoM) of Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) held an appointment ceremony on December 9, 2025, formally appointing renowned United Arab Emirates (UAE) futurist and technologist Professor Saeed Aldhaheri as a Chair Professor. Party Secretary ZHANG Xu of HIT SoM presented the appointment letter to Professor Saeed, while the ceremony was presided over by Professor GAO Feiyi, Director of the HIT Center for Development Strategy Research.

At the ceremony, Party Secretary ZHANG Xu extended a warm welcome to Professor Saeed on his joining, and spoke highly of his academic achievements and international influence in interdisciplinary fields such as artificial intelligence and public policy, and smart cities. He pointed out that HIT SoM will leverage Professor Saeed's rich experience in international organizations and academic institutions to expand cooperation with international platforms including UNESCO, strengthen think tank development, and continuously elevate its international academic influence. In addition, HIT SoM will foster academic exchanges and collaborations with universities across the Middle East, and nurture future-ready leading talents by organizing high-level academic lectures and offering mentorship to young faculty members.

Presentation of the Appointment Letter

In his inauguration speech, Professor Saeed expressed sincere gratitude for being appointed to the endowed Chair Professor position at HIT. He stated that as the first UAE scholar to receive this honor, it is not only a significant milestone in his personal academic career, but also a vivid reflection of the deepening academic cooperation between China and the UAE. Professor Saeed pledged to actively support the school's strategic development in scientific research, talent cultivation and international exchanges, and to work alongside faculty and students to uphold and advance HIT's tradition of rigorous scientific pursuit.

Venue of the Appointment Ceremony

Professor Saeed currently holds the positions of Director of the Future Research Center at the University of Dubai, Chairman of the Emirates Robotics and Automation Association, Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Working Group under the Global Metaverse Initiative, and Member of the Global Coalition for Emerging Artificial Intelligence in the Military (GCREAIM). He has also held key roles previously, including Co-Chair of the Foresight Systems Initiative at UNESCO and Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UAE Space Agency. He is a sought-after keynote speaker, having been invited to deliver speeches at world-leading universities and prestigious international bodies including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).