Digital Transformation (DT)

WASD has a long-standing history of promoting knowledge exchange, research, and capacity-building to support sustainable progress across sectors. Building on this foundation, WASD has evolved into a trusted consultancy provider, offering strategic guidance to organisations navigating complex change. In collaboration with WASD, LISD brings together academic insight and practical expertise to support DT in education and beyond. DT is no longer optional in the current educational landscape. Rapid technological advancement, shifting learner expectations, and the growing need for flexible, inclusive, and resilient systems have made it essential. Institutions must adapt to blended learning models, data-driven decision-making, and digital infrastructure that enhances both teaching and administration. Beyond education, DT also strengthens organisational efficiency, innovation capacity, and global competitiveness. Through our consultancy services, WASD and LISD support institutions at every stage of their digital journey. We provide tailored strategies, needs assessments, capacity-building programmes, and implementation support designed to align technology with institutional goals. Our approach is practical and context-sensitive, ensuring that solutions are sustainable and scalable rather than one-size-fits-all. What sets our services apart is our interdisciplinary and research-led approach. We combine policy insight, technological expertise, and educational innovation to deliver integrated solutions. Our consultancy also emphasises knowledge transfer, ensuring that organisations build internal capability rather than relying solely on external support. Crucially, our work is delivered by world-class experts, including academics, industry specialists, and experienced practitioners with global experience in digital transformation. This ensures that our clients benefit from cutting-edge knowledge, proven methodologies, and internationally informed best practice, enabling them to navigate digital change with confidence and clarity.

Prof. Allam Ahmed (Founding President WASD) UK

Allam is a Professor of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development; Founding President of World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) (2003); Founding Director of SDGs Universities International Initiative (SDGsUNI) (2020) Founding Director of Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI) (2012); Founder, in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair on Transfer of Technology...

Teaching and Research

AI, Data Science & SustainabilityLeadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityHealthcare LeadershipHealthcare Marketing & SustainabilityDigital Marketing & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityWomen Leadership & SustainabilityMarketing & SustainabilityHalal Marketing & SustainabilityIslamic Digitalisation & SustainabilityBusiness AdministrationSustainability, Diplomacy & UNPublic Health & SustainabilityClimate Change, Policy & Sustainability

Advisory and Consultancy

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development GoalsVoluntary National ReviewsClimate ChangeHigher EducationE-LearningDigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial IntelligenceKnowledge ManagementHealth and WellbeingHealthcare LeadershipPublic HealthPolicy and StrategyPublic PolicyBusiness and ManagementMarketing
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Dr Gale Rigobert (Former Minister) St Lucia

She is the former Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development in Saint Lucia (2016-2021). Prior to becoming a parliamentary representative, a position she held on to for over nine (9) years (2011-2021), she was a government senator for a short period, which followed her role as advisor...

Teaching and Research

Leadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityWomen Leadership & SustainabilitySustainability, Diplomacy & UNClimate Change, Policy & Sustainability

Advisory and Consultancy

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development GoalsClimate ChangeHigher EducationE-LearningDigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial IntelligenceKnowledge ManagementPolicy and StrategyPublic PolicyBusiness and Management
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Samia Melhem (Global Lead Digital Development World Bank) USA

Samia Melhem is a Lead Policy Specialist at the World Bank’s Digital Development and AI Vice Presidency, based in Washington DC. She manages digital government transformation operations, leveraging technologies to improve delivery of public services in all sectors. She is currently leading a large digital government investment project portfolio, and regional...

Teaching and Research

AI, Data Science & SustainabilityLeadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityIslamic Fintech & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityWomen Leadership & SustainabilityIslamic Digitalisation & SustainabilitySustainability, Diplomacy & UN

Advisory and Consultancy

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development GoalsVoluntary National ReviewsHigher EducationE-LearningDigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial IntelligenceKnowledge ManagementPolicy and StrategyPublic Policy
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Prof. Hongmei (Mary) He (University of Salford) UK

Prof. Hongmei (Mary) He (FHEA, SIEEE) is Professor of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Robotics in the School of Science, Engineering, and Environment at the University of Salford (Mary He | University of Salford) and Turing Liaison Academic for membership of the Salford Turing University Network. She is a passionate advocate...

Teaching and Research

AI, Data Science & SustainabilityHealthcare LeadershipDigitalisation & SustainabilityWomen Leadership & Sustainability

Advisory and Consultancy

Higher EducationDigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial IntelligenceHealthcare Leadership
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Prof. Manuel Frutos-Perez (Cambridge Education Group Digital) UK

Manuel is the Chief Academic Officer at the digital division of Cambridge Education Group. He works developing partnerships with prestigious universities and helping them widen the reach of their educational activities, taking full advantage of the possibilities offered by high-quality online learning provision and international markets. He is also responsible...

Teaching and Research

AI, Data Science & SustainabilityLeadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityBusiness Administration

Advisory and Consultancy

Higher EducationE-LearningDigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial IntelligenceKnowledge Management
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Prof. Dhiya Al-Jumeily OBE (Liverpool John Moores University) UK

Prof Dhiya Al-Jumeily OBE has 30+ years experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In 2020, Prof Al-Jumeily was appointed by her majesty “THE QUEEN to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, “OBE- Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order” for the “Services...

Teaching and Research

AI, Data Science & SustainabilityLeadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityHealthcare LeadershipIslamic Fintech & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityIslamic Digitalisation & SustainabilityBusiness Administration

Advisory and Consultancy

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development GoalsHigher EducationE-LearningDigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial IntelligenceHealthcare LeadershipDiagnostic RadiologyPolicy and StrategyPublic PolicyBusiness and Management
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Prof. Doaa Salman (October University for Modern Sciences and Arts) Egypt

Dr. Doaa Salman is an esteemed Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Management Sciences at October University for Modern Sciences and Arts. With a Ph.D. in Economics from Ain Shams University, Egypt, and a Master's degree in the same field, Dr. Doaa is a well-respected authority in the academic...

Teaching and Research

Leadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityIslamic Fintech & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityWomen Leadership & SustainabilityIslamic Digitalisation & SustainabilityBusiness Administration

Advisory and Consultancy

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development GoalsHigher EducationDigital TransformationBusiness and Management
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Miryem Salah (Founder and CEO AIMETECH) UK

Miryem Salah is an AI enthusiast yet realist with a rare proven subject matter expertise at scale. Having led on major transformation across IT, digital, data, analytics and AI globally in private, public sectors. She is was the former Director for digital, data & AI transformation, Managing Director for the...

Teaching and Research

AI, Data Science & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityWomen Leadership & Sustainability

Advisory and Consultancy

DigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial Intelligence
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Dr Rawad Hammad (University of East London) UK

Rawad is a computer scientist with 20 years of experience in academic research, teaching, industry and leadership. Research interests include the use of Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and disruptive technologies for Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL), e-health and Smart Cities. His expertise lies in the application of innovative technologies from Artificial Intelligence,...

Teaching and Research

AI, Data Science & SustainabilityLeadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityIslamic Fintech & SustainabilityDigitalisation & SustainabilityIslamic Digitalisation & SustainabilityBusiness Administration

Advisory and Consultancy

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development GoalsHigher EducationE-LearningDigitalisationDigital TransformationArtificial IntelligenceKnowledge ManagementPolicy and StrategyBusiness and Management
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Dr Malgorzata Sulimierska (University of Sussex) UK

Dr Malgorzata Sulimierska (Gosia) is a Senior Lecturer in Banking and FinTech at the Department of Business and Management for the University of Sussex Business School and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She also has Oxford Fintech and Blockchain Qualifications from the University of Oxford, and a...

Teaching and Research

Leadership, Public Policy & SustainabilityDigital Marketing & SustainabilityIslamic Fintech & SustainabilityWomen Leadership & SustainabilityBusiness Administration

Advisory and Consultancy

Higher EducationDigital TransformationBusiness and Management
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Professor Allam Ahmed (London - UK) is a Professor of Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development; Co-Founder of SMART KM MODEL: An Integrated Knowledge Management Framework for Organizational Excellence and led the implementation of the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa Knowledge Management Framework Musharaka. Founding President of WASD; SDGs Universities Initiative; Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute; Fellow Faculty of Public Health, UK; Fellow Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK; and Fellow Academy of World Business, Marketing and Management Development, Australia. Prior to QMUL, Prof. Ahmed spent 15 years at the University of Sussex Science Policy Research Unit (1st science and policy think tank in the UK) where he established and led Sussex’s most successful postgraduate programme MSc International Management.
Dr Gale Rigobert (Saint Lucia - Caribbean) is Former Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of St. Martin (USM), in the Dutch Caribbean. She is the former Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development in Saint Lucia (2016-2021). Prior to becoming a parliamentary representative, a position she held on to for over nine (9) years (2011-2021), she was a government senator for a short period, which followed her role as advisor on national development to the Government of Saint Lucia (2010-2011). Dr. Rigobert was appointed Leader of the Opposition in 2013, the first woman to hold such office in the island of Saint Lucia. Her career path has taken her through the hallowed walls of academia, with her career spanning several countries and institutions: The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (2002-2010); SPRU, University of Sussex (2009), the United Kingdom; Anton de Kom University, Suriname (2009); the Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre (IGDC), University of York (2021-2022) and now the University of St. Martin.
Ambassador (Ret) Dr Petru Dumitriu (Geneve - Switzerland) is a Former Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe to the United Nations in Geneva. Currently Senior Fellow and Lecturer on Multilateral Diplomacy postgraduate courses, Diplo Foundation/University of Malta. Former member of the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit and Editor of numerous reports including: Strengthening the policy research uptake in service of the 2030 Agenda for SD, Role of PPPs in the Implementation of Agenda 2030, Knowledge Management in the UN System
Professor Arshi Naim (London - UK) is recognised among the Top 2% Scientists globally by Stanford University and Elsevier, is a distinguished academic with over 23 years of experience in business management, digital marketing, higher education, quality assurance, and academic leadership. A prolific researcher, she has published 115+ Scopus-indexed papers in high impact journals and contributed to academic books with leading publishers such as Wiley, Springer, Elsevier, Emerald, Taylor & Francis, IGI Global, Nova Science, and Bentham Science.
Professor Dhiya Al-Jumeily OBE (Liverpool - UK) has 30+ years experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In 2020, Prof Al-Jumeily was appointed by her majesty “THE QUEEN to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, “OBE- Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order” for the “Services to Scientific Research”. Within healthcare field Prof Al-Jumeily developed SMART applications for disease diagnosis and management that are currently used by patients in the UK, UAE and Iraq. On the scientific community level, Prof Al-Jumeily established the eSystems Engineering Society (eSES) that has contributors from researchers and scientists at worldwide. The eSES activities include intelligent patient management system; datasets and databanks; DeSE annual and international conference; accredited professional courses; and the International Journal of Data Science and Advanced Analytics. On the research funding level, Prof Al-Jumeily attracted more than £7.5M of funding and published >350 publications.
Professor Doaa Salman (Cairo - Egypt) is an esteemed Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Management Sciences at October University for Modern Sciences and Arts and a well-respected authority in the academic community. Her expertise lies in several fields of research, including Managerial Finance, Financial Institutions Management, International Economics and Trade Agreements, Money & Banking, International Banking, Feasibility Studies, Public Finance, inclusive growth, development, Health Economics and digital transformation and sustainability. She is a master of commonly used statistical tools and computer software used for cost and revenue analysis, and econometric applications such as SPSS, Stata, R, etc. She is the chief editor of the MSA-Management Sciences Journal and her research has appeared in several prestigious journals, including Economics and Policy, International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies, International Journal of Green Economics, International Journal of Development and Conflict, and Journal of Economics.
Miryem Salah (London - UK) is the director for Digital, Data & AI Transformation, Managing Director for the MSP sales channel of Vodafone Business IT hubs at VodafoneThree.Having led on major transformation across IT, digital, data, analytics and AI globally in private, public sectors. Miryem operates at the intersection of strategy, execution, culture, and impact-the space where she has consistently delivered the greatest value. She brings end‑to‑end ownership: setting direction, aligning capital and talent, and taking full accountability for outcomes. Her experience spans sectors and geographies, with leadership across the full enterprise agenda. Miryem brings strong financial and commercial acumen, with deep expertise in capital allocation, business case development, operating model design, and benefits realisation. She has led complex, multinational organisations through change under pressure-modernising infrastructure, integrating cultures, and delivering measurable improvements in customer experience, efficiency, and profitability. Building high‑performing, inclusive leadership teams with clarity, pace, and accountability. She is deeply committed to sustainability, diversity, and developing future leaders. Miryem is known for authentic leadership, decisive action, and strong stakeholder engagement at the shareholder, board & investor level.
Professor Manuel Frutos-Perez (Cambridge - UK) is the Chief Academic Officer at the digital division of Cambridge Education Group. He leads the strategic planning process across a wide portfolio of Higher Education partnerships, with a focus on international market intelligence, academic excellence, and outstanding learner support. He is also a Visiting Professor in Online Education and Digital Innovation at the University of Hull, UK, and a Visiting Professor in Digital Learning at the Academic Practice Directorate, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. Manuel is an international technology expert promoting the advancement of learning and teaching in Higher Education, and regularly delivers thought leadership keynotes at international events.
Samia Melhem (Washington - USA) is a Lead Policy Specialist at the World Bank’s Digital Development and AI Vice Presidency, based in Washington DC. She manages digital government transformation operations, leveraging technologies to improve delivery of public services in all sectors. She is currently leading a large digital government investment project portfolio, and regional research on Digital Skills for Jobs; as well as AI’s impact on the digital economy. During her career at the WBG, Samia managed digital transformation projects/operations in East and Central Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. She authored several publications on Telecoms Policy and Regulation, Digital government, Digital Economy, Digital Capabilities and Skills, Cloud computing, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Open data, PPP, and Bridging the gender digital divide. In May 2025, Samia received an award from the Arab League for her Digital Economy work in the MENA region. In addition to her current role at the World Bank, Samia started teaching at George Washington University.
Dr Rawad Hammad (London - UK) is a computer scientist with 20 years of experience in academic research, teaching, industry and leadership. Research interests include the use of Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and disruptive technologies for Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL), e-health and Smart Cities. His expertise lies in the application of innovative technologies from Artificial Intelligence, Semantics, Business Process Management, and Data Management in multi-disciplinary application domains including TEL and e-health. Rawad is the leader of two MSc Programmes and a Technology-Enhanced Learning Research Group. He is also co-director and co-founder of a newly established Smart Health Centre at the University of East London. Moreover, Rawad has been working on large-scale collaborative EU and international projects such as: DECUMANUS, TRANSFER and SmartTech which established collaboration with international partners from UK, Japan, Germany, Finland, the EU and the Middle East. Moreover, Rawad delivered a few keynote speeches and received a considerable number of research awards, the latest was the outstanding paper 2021 by Emerald Publishing. He is an executive committee member of the international society of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), and a panel member of different research journal/conference communities such as EC-TEL, IARIA, WASD, MEKEI, in addition to IEEE, ACM.
Dr Malgorzata Sulimierska (Brighton - UK) is a Senior Lecturer in Banking and FinTech at the Department of Business and Management for the University of Sussex Business School and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She also has Oxford Fintech and Blockchain Qualifications from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Financial Economics from the University of Sussex (UK). She is involved in research and teaching at numerous institutions, Lancaster University (UK), Catholic Leuven University (Belgium) and Loughborough University (UK). Her excellent teaching skills have been valued by several teaching awards, the BMEs Oscar Award for the Best seminar tutor, Excellence in Teaching Award and Student-Led Teaching Award. Her remarkable passion for teaching and discovering new areas of development guides her interests towards FinTech, Banking digitalization, Financial literature, Financial inclusions and political uncertainty.
Dr Ibrahim Alfaki (UAE) is an Associate Professor of statistics in the Department of Statistics and Business Analytics at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). His research focuses on applied econometrics, spatial and statistical modeling, and data-driven policy analysis, with particular applications in road safety systems, economic and financial analytics, and the measurement of knowledge-based economies. His work emphasises the use of quantitative and data analytics methods, such as time series and econometric modeling, to support evidence-based decision-making and institutional performance evaluation. Professor Alfaki has contributed to national policy research, including the UAE Human Development Reports, in collaboration with government and international organizations. He has also served on the Scientific Committee of the Abu Dhabi Statistics Centre. In addition, he is a member of editorial advisory boards of several international journals, including WJEMSD, WJSTSD, and IJIKMMENA. His work reflects a sustained contribution to statistical applications in sustainable development and public policy.