Professor Mahmoud Ahmed Zaki is the president of Tanta University and a professor of Architecture and Architectural Design at its Faculty of Engineering. Prior to his appointment as University President, Professor Zaki was the Dean of Faculty of Engineering at Tanta University (2019-2020) and the Head of the Architecture Department (2011-2019). Under his leadership, the Faculty of Engineering implemented a digitization and e-learning plan, established a Research and Development Unit at the International Collaboration Office, and developed three new programs in Artificial Intelligence, Medical Engineering, and Gas and Petrochemicals.

Professor Zaki obtained his Ph.D. (1995), M.Sc. (1992), and B.Sc. (1987) in Architecture from the Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University. He has a Master of Business Administration(2008) and Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate (2006),both from Ohio  University ,U.S., where he was a visiting professor from 2006 to 2008.He established and worked on many international agreements , including a cooperation agreement in the field of Construction Engineering with the University of Carolina, Berkeley ,U.S., and an academic cooperation project in the field of Architectural and urban development aimed at developing the educational content taught at the Architecture departments at Mansoura and Tanta University Berlin, funded by DAAD. Other agreements are held in cooperation with the University of Bradford, UK, the Joint Stock Company Institute Orgenergostroy (JSC OES), Russia, ERASMUS+, among others.

Professor Zaki’s doctoral dissertation tackled the use of computers and artificial intelligence in the design of hospitals, and he carved a successful career as an expert and consultant in the field of medical facilities design. He worked with many international organizations as a consultant on medical facilities and hospital design and planning, design and programming for medical projects, design of Advanced Oncology Centers and economic feasibility studies and survey programs design in accordance with CEFPI international standards. His professional qualifications include project management, planning and developing management models, and administrative programming. He is a member of the American Institution of Architects (AIA), U.S., and a member of the organization’s advisory committee for the design of medical facilities. He is the recipient of multiple certificates of appreciation from the United Nations, Tanta and Menoufia Universities. Professor Zaki contributed to the development and expansions of Tanta University through many projects such as the design of the Children’s Hospital (2019), Kidney Disease and Surgery Educational Hospital (2018), Psychiatric Educational Hospital, Internal Diseases Hospital (2002), Medical Complex Administrative Building (2002), among many others. Moreover, under Prof. Zaki's leadership, Tanta University has implemented the digitalization plan in the educational and medical fields, in addition to Tanta University implementation of a unique Institutional Governance Model in the financial, administrative, and cognitive systems. Prof. Zaki passes his administrative expertise through his effective participation as an instructor in the Academic Leader's Preparation Programs which are held at Tanta University.