Prof. Fahad Abdullah Alqurashi

Prof. Fahad Alqurashi is a Professor of Computer Science and Chairman of the Cybersecurity Department and Computer Science Department at King Abdulaziz University. He brings more than three decades of experience in higher education, IT leadership, and digital transformation. His career reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence, educational innovation, and national development, with impactful contributions in teaching, research, governance, and initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. At King Abdulaziz University, Prof. Alqurashi is a key leader in curriculum modernization and academic accreditation. He led the development of a new Bachelor of Science curriculum in Computer Science aligned with the IEEE/ACM 2023 standards. Designed as a regional and international benchmark, the curriculum ensures that graduates are well prepared to meet the demands of the digital era. He also guided the department through major accreditation milestones, including ABET accreditation for undergraduate programs and NCAAA accreditation for postgraduate programs, strengthening the department’s standing both locally and globally. He is also the founding leader of a pioneering AI education initiative, the first of its kind in the Middle East, developed in partnership with Microsoft and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Launched in 2023, the initiative aimed to make AI education accessible to students and faculty across Saudi universities. It introduced interdisciplinary AI curricula, professional certification pathways, and faculty development programs supported by Microsoft Azure labs and hands-on practical projects. By 2025, the initiative had expanded into a nationwide movement, training more than 1,000 non-specialist faculty members across over 10 universities, preparing more than 45 faculty members to deliver AI courses, and reaching over 5,000 students through specialized AI programs offered in both Arabic and English. This model demonstrates how strategic partnerships and a clear vision can drive sustainable educational transformation. Beyond academia, Prof. Alqurashi has extensive experience in enterprise IT systems, cloud migration, and large-scale data center modernization. He has led efforts to integrate legacy systems, enhance resilience and continuity, reduce costs, and align IT strategy with institutional growth. His ability to bridge academic leadership with technical practice ensures that digital transformation initiatives deliver measurable and lasting impact. Through a career that combines academic leadership, IT strategy, and pioneering initiatives, Prof. Fahad Alqurashi continues to shape the future of computer science education and AI adoption in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating how vision, persistence, and collaboration can drive sustainable transformation and prepare the next generation of innovators.