Al Murshidi, Ghadah: - Dr. Ghadah Al Murshidi is an accomplished Associate Professor in the College of Education at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), specializing in language and literacy, curriculum and instruction, and applied linguistics. With a strong academic foundation, she holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and Comparative and International Education from Pennsylvania State University, along with dual Master's degrees in Applied Linguistics and Educational Leadership from the same institution. Her Bachelor's degree in Applied Linguistics was earned at UAE University, reflecting her deep-rooted commitment to education and research in the UAE. Dr. Al Murshidi's teaching portfolio spans graduate and undergraduate courses, including Thesis Seminar, Professional Ethics in Education, Language Development and Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood, and Current Trends in Teaching English. Her research interests focus on early childhood literacy, online learning, and teacher professional development, areas in which she has published extensively. She is particularly recognized for her contributions to understanding the role of technology in education, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance student preparedness (Eurasia Proceedings of Educational & Social Sciences, 2024) and the integration of ChatGPT in learning environments (Smart Learning Environments, 2024). Her scholarly work also explores global citizenship education, emotional labor among early childhood teachers, and family language policies in Emirati households. Notably, Dr. Al Murshidi has led significant national and international research projects, including a comparative study of Emirati students' academic experiences across UAE institutions, funded by the UAEU National Research Foundation. She has also served as an Emirati expert in a multinational study on global citizenship education in Arabic countries, funded by the Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education, KSA. Dr. Al Murshidi's contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Young Emirati Researcher Prize, the Best Young Researcher Award, and the Emirati Women Award. Her book, The Guide of Creativity and Innovation in the UAE, was honored by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah. In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Al Murshidi is actively involved in service roles, serving as a reviewer for several prestigious journals and chairing committees on innovation, curriculum development, and early childhood education. Her work continues to shape educational practices in the UAE and beyond, bridging policy, pedagogy, and technology to foster inclusive and effective learning environments.
Elsayary, Areej: - Areej is an expert in STEAM education, teacher training, curriculum, teaching and learning, assessment, and school accreditation. She is an Approved Accreditation Lead Inspector from NEASC, CIS, and an approved visitor by CAEP accreditation. Furthermore, she was a Mental Health Ambassador at Zayed University and is a Certified AI Lead Assessor by IEEE. She was the graduate program coordinator at the College of Education at Zayed University and is currently an Associate Professor and Assistant Chair for the General Education Department at the College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Her research interests include educational technology, well-being, Human-computer interaction, entrepreneurship, innovation, STE(A)M, and assessment.
Ragab, Karim: - Karim Ragab, earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Alexandria University in 2001 and later received his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah in 2016. In addition, Karim is currently pursuing his PhD in education and is a PhD student at the University of Cordoba in Spain. Karim began his career in 2004 as a technical instructor at the Technical Studies Institute. In 2006, he joined the Institute of Applied Technology as an Applied Engineering teacher, where he served for three years before being promoted to Curriculum Developer-Mechanical. In this role, he led the development of the Applied Technology-Mechanical course materials for Grades 9-12 at the Applied Technology Schools. From 2012 to 2017, Karim served as the chief expert for the CNC turning category at the Emirates Skills National Competition and represented the UAE as the CNC turning expert at the WorldSkills competitions in Leipzig (2013) and Sao Paulo (2015). In October 2014, Karim was promoted to Academic Vice Principal at the UAQ campus and, in 2019, became the Principal of the same campus. Currently, he is the Principal of Applied Technology Schools-Dubai campus.
