Speaker — Neptune Forum 2026
Ali Hilal Al Naqbi
Chancellor, Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, University of Khorfakkan
Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan (Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre)
Professor Ali Hilal Al Naqbi currently serves as the Chancellor of University of Khorfakkan and a Member of the Board of Trustees. He previously held the position of Director of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, where he played a significant role in enhancing the quality of technical and vocational education. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and conducted postdoctoral research at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH). He is also a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School and holds an Executive Master's degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University, Boston. Professor Ali began his academic career at UAEU in 2009 and progressed through the academic ranks from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in 2014, before attaining the rank of Full Professor in 2024. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers and holds five patents in the field of bio-artificial liver devices. He has served as a member of the UAE Council of Scientists and the Future Councils and has participated in several academic and administrative councils. He has also successfully secured over USD3 million in research funding and was honoured with the 43rd UAE Pioneers Award by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin RashidAl Maktoum, in addition to being recognized by the World Economic Forum in Davos as one of the Arab Scientists Under 40. During his tenure at Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, he achieved a 96% graduate employment rate within nine months of graduation and contributed to the advancement of higher education, strengthening university-community engagement, and supporting human capital development.
