Professor Sabouni is a highly distinguished academic leader, accomplished engineer, and strategic advisor with more than 35 years of exceptional experience across higher education leadership, research, and technical consultancy. His career has been defined by sustained executive achievement, institutional transformation, and influential contributions to both academia and engineering. Educated at world-renowned institutions, he holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University, a Master’s degree from George Washington University, and an Executive Certificate in Higher Education from Harvard University, USA. He began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Damascus University, Syria, where he graduated first in his class.

Over the course of his career, Prof. Sabouni has earned a reputation for visionary leadership, academic distinction, and an enduring commitment to institutional excellence. He has served multiple terms as University President in the UAE and has played a defining role in shaping and elevating the higher education sector across the region. His leadership has been instrumental in the establishment, rebranding, and advancement of several academic institutions, reflecting a rare ability to guide organizations through growth, transformation, and strategic repositioning.

He first distinguished himself in senior academic administration as Head of the Faculty Recruitment and Development Unit at UAE University, where his success paved the way for a succession of increasingly prominent leadership appointments. This trajectory culminated in his most recent role as the former President and CEO of Liwa University. In parallel with his executive responsibilities, he has served as a trusted consultant to governmental and private universities, advising on institutional effectiveness, quality assurance, and program accreditation. His counsel has supported major higher education institutions in the UAE, including UAE University, Zayed University, and Liwa University.

Prof. Sabouni’s influence extends well beyond university leadership into the engineering profession, where he has made notable contributions to the development of expert systems and artificial intelligence applications in engineering design and analysis. His distinguished technical expertise has led to prestigious appointments, including the Building Design Expert at the Public Works Department and the Technical Advisor for projects of Abu Dhabi Municipality.

His standing within the profession is underscored by an exceptional record of international recognition and fellowship. He is a Professional Engineer (PEng) in Ontario, Canada; Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (FACI); Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (FASCE), where he also served as President of the ASCE-UAE Section; Chartered Construction Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB); and Registered Expert and Arbitrator at the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC).

Prof. Sabouni’s distinguished contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious honors, including the inaugural George Winter Award from Cornell University, the ASCE Region 10 Distinguished Service Medal (2023), and the title of Ambassador of Science and Technology (2024), conferred by the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF).