New York’s Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), one of the world’s leading universities, has appointed Dr Mustafa A G Abushagur as president of RIT Dubai.

RIT-Dubai is located at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the region’s leading integrated innovations hub for high-tech industries.

Dr Abushagur previously served as the director of the Ph D program in Microsystems Engineering, and Professor of Electrical Engineering at RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Earlier, Dr Abushagur taught at the University of Alabama as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Professor of Optical Science and Engineering. At the University of Alabama, Dr Abushagur led the development of the university’s optical engineering degree program.

Dr Abushagur specializes in the fields of optical communications, micro-photonic devices, signal processing and computing.

Shahla Abdul Razak, deputy chief executive officer – DSOA, said: “We are privileged to welcome Dr Abushagur to Dubai and Dubai Silicon Oasis. With his extensive experience in the fields of research and education, Dr Abushagur will prove a great asset to the technology park. His specialization in the field of optical communications, micro-photonic devices, and signal processing and computing are excellently aligned with DSO’s core operations. We are confident that hosting RIT to Dubai in general and DSO in specific will contribute directly to the growth of Dubai’s aspiration of becoming the global hub for technology development and innovation.”

As the founder of US-based LiquidLight Inc., a developer and manufacturer of optical network systems for the metro-access market, and Photronix of Malaysia, makers of fiber-optic components, Dr Abushagur will also bring to Dubai Silicon Oasis an extensive leadership, entrepreneurial and business consulting experience.

Starting this August, RIT - Dubai will provide Master’s programs in Finance, Human Resource Development, Service Management, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Networking, and Systems Administration. By 2010, RIT Dubai aims to offer both graduate and undergraduate programs in an innovative class-room environment with applied teaching techniques. – TradeArabia News Service