Professor Dr. Hassan Abdalla MSc PhD CEng FIMechE PFHEA FRSA
Provost, University of East London, UK
Biography:
Professor Hassan Abdalla is the Provost of the University of East London (UEL), named University of the Year 2024 for Teaching Quality by The Times and Sunday Times and shortlisted for University of the Year 2025 by Times Higher Education.
A recognised thought leader in digital transformation of higher education, Professor Abdalla has played a pivotal role in reimagining how universities adapt to disruptive technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and Industry 5.0 demands. He advocates for a human-centred, skills-focused approach to education that blends critical thinking, creativity, and digital fluency to prepare learners for the jobs of the future.
Professor Abdalla chaired the UKRI Panel for Circular Economy and Digital Sustainability and served as a panel member for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), shaping national strategies for quality and innovation in UK higher education. He pioneered the creation of a fully simulated health training hub powered by AI, AR/VR, and immersive technologies, officially launched by His Majesty King Charles III in 2023. He also founded the London Centre for AR/VR/AI, transforming digital pedagogy and student outcomes across disciplines.
Professor Abdalla is a sought-after international keynote speaker, with invitations to prestigious events including AWS Imagine Conference (Austin, USA), the International Conference on AI in Education (London), and many more. His work explores how AI, immersive technology, and digitalisation can drive inclusion, scalability, and excellence in education.
Professor Abdalla has received several awards including the UK Excellence in Education-2023 by #Muslimnews: personality of the Year-2024 commendation from the British Muslim Awards-2024 and the IMS Medal Award by Japan. He has been the principal investigator of many major European projects and has made regular appearances on national and international media channels and Business News.
Renowned for building impactful research and industry partnerships, Professor Abdalla has published over 200 research articles and books, supervised around 50 PhD students, and secured multi-million-pound research funding from the UK Research Councils, European Commission, government bodies, and leading global industries. His influence extends beyond academia: he serves on the Presidential Advisory Council of Egypt, advises the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and sits on the professorial boards of several UK and international universities, driving strategies to link research, innovation, and national development.
Professor Abdalla continues to be a leading voice on digital education, sustainability, and AI-enabled transformation, inspiring global collaboration and shaping the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.
