The National University of Dubai (NUD) has appointed Victor Van der Chijs, a veteran higher education leader with more than three decades of international experience, as its inaugural President, signaling a major step forward for the emirate’s ambition to become a global hub for research and innovation. The announcement, made on August 21, 2026, places Van der Chijs at the helm of the university during its foundational phase, tasked with shaping an institution designed to support Dubai’s long-term economic and social strategies.
NUD is being developed as an impact-driven research university that blends a global perspective with Dubai’s unique entrepreneurial spirit. The institution will serve as a cornerstone of the Education 33 (E33) Strategy, which aims to create new pathways for learning, research, and talent development. It will also support the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by fostering a more diversified, knowledge-based economy, and the Dubai Social Agenda 33 by preparing graduates equipped to enhance societal well-being and quality of life.
A defining appointment for Dubai’s educational vision
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NUD, emphasized the significance of the appointment. “The appointment of Victor Van der Chijs as the inaugural President of the National University of Dubai marks a defining step in establishing an ambitious academic institution that reflects Dubai’s vision to harness education, research and innovation to shape its future and strengthen its global competitiveness,” he said.
Sheikh Ahmed added that Van der Chijs’s extensive international leadership and proven ability to connect universities with government and the private sector will be invaluable during this foundational phase. “The University will help prepare generations of highly skilled graduates equipped to lead and meet the evolving needs of the future economy, while reinforcing Dubai’s global standing in higher education and scientific research,” he noted.
A leader with cross-sector expertise
Van der Chijs brings a rare combination of academic leadership and private-sector experience. From 2013 to 2021, he served as President of the Executive Board of the University of Twente, a top-200 global institution, where he strengthened its international reputation and advanced entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary research, and knowledge transfer. During the same period, he led the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (2015–2021), helping to build one of Europe’s first pan-European university networks.
His resume also includes high-level roles outside academia. He served as Chairman of Deltalinqs, representing Rotterdam’s industrial and logistics cluster—Europe’s largest port-industrial complex—and as President of the Board of BOM, the Netherlands’ most active regional venture investor. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at OMA, Schiphol Group, and ING, gaining expertise in architecture, aviation, infrastructure, and global finance.
Building a university from the ground up
Van der Chijs described the opportunity as exceptionally rare. “It is an honour to serve as President of the National University of Dubai and contribute to an institution inspired by Dubai’s ambition and global outlook,” he said. “Together with the Board of Trustees and our partners, I look forward to shaping a university that fosters curiosity, encourages collaboration across disciplines, and creates an environment where education, research and innovation deliver meaningful impact for generations to come.”
During its formative phase, NUD will focus on developing academically rigorous programs, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, and establishing strategic partnerships with leading institutions worldwide. The university will work closely with government, industry, and international partners to generate new knowledge and equip graduates with skills to shape future industries.
Broader implications for Dubai’s future
Van der Chijs’s appointment underscores Dubai’s broader push to position itself as a destination for top-tier education and research. By building a research university from scratch—one that integrates government, industry, and global academic networks—the emirate aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for talent and innovation. The success of NUD will likely serve as a benchmark for other Gulf states seeking to diversify their economies through knowledge-based development, and for international educators watching how a new university can be designed for the 21st century.