Provost Barry O’Mahony on How ADU Graduates Are Workforce-Ready from Day One

Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Professor Barry O’Mahony, Provost at Abu Dhabi University, to discuss the institution’s vision, strategies, and initiatives for the future. The interview covered key areas such as digital learning, diversity and inclusion, addressing global issues, industry partnerships, student well-being, and faculty development.

1. What is your vision for the university’s future, and how do you plan to achieve it in the next five years?

Our vision for Abu Dhabi University students is to ensure that our students are prepared for an ever-changing workforce. This means that they must understand the theory of their area of study as well as how to apply this theory to practice, while also having the soft skills required to work collaboratively and communicate effectively.

2. How is the university adapting to the challenges of digital learning and integrating new technologies into education?

Abu Dhabi University has a strong focus on ensuring that all our students are digitally literate. We’ve introduced a new role, the Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence, to support the integration of digital technology not only in the classroom but in all of the systems that our students use.

3. What strategies are you implementing to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion across campus?

Since its inception, Abu Dhabi University has had strong diversity equity and inclusion policies framing everything we do. These are supported by our international accreditations. Regardless of whether it is in faculty and staff recruitment or within our student body, everyone is welcome at Abu Dhabi University.

4. What role do you see the university playing in addressing global issues like climate change or public health?

We are doing extensive work in sustainability, climate change and public health. In our College of Health Sciences, for example, we will introduce a new Masters in Public Health in fall and this will soon be followed by a masters in health leadership, which will be a joint program between the College of Health Sciences and the our dual accredited (AACSB & EQUIS) College of Business. At the same time, we have established institutes in Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Futures, as well as our newly established ADU Cancer Research Institute. Both will have a positive impact on the climate change and public health landscapes.

5. How are you fostering partnerships with industry to enhance job opportunities for students?

Guided by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research outcome based framework, we are consulting with industry to ensure that our programs deliver the attributes, skills and competencies required by our students to gain meaningful employment and quickly advance their careers. A significant proportion of all our courses are also taught by industry professionals and we have structured internships for all our students. Throughout the student journey, we engage in extensive student preparation for work that our students are work-ready on graduation.

6. What steps is the university taking to support student mental health and well-being?

We recognize that the mental health of young people has become a global issue with many suffering from anxiety. We have trained professional counselors on campus that students can go to in confidence to seek support. We are also launching a new degree program in clinical psychology. Through that program we will develop a working clinic for our students to access for counseling and support.

7. How do you plan to attract and retain top faculty in a competitive academic environment?

Top faculty are attracted to Abu Dhabi University by our reputation and ranking. Once they come to us we support them to develop their careers and what we find is that they feel comfortable within the supportive environment that we provide and this helps them to progress in their careers. They then tend to stay with us long term.

8. How is the university leveraging alumni networks to support current students and recent graduates?

We’re very proud of our alumni, who support us in everything we do. For example, our alumni frequently come back to campus to meet with accreditation bodies to tell them about their experiences at Abu Dhabi University, and this has helped us with many of the international accreditations that the university holds, including WASC, ABET, RIBA, APHEA, AACSB and EQUIS.

9. If you could share one motivational quote on a highway billboard, what would it say?

Come and harness your skills at Abu Dhabi University because we believe you are better than you think you are.