Biography
Dr Abdul Waheed Khan, who currently occupies the position of President, Talal Abu Ghazaleh University of Business and Director General, Training, Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization, was Assistant Director General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, Paris from 2001 to 2010. Before joining UNESCO, Dr. Khan worked as Vice Chancellor (President and CEO) of Indira Gandhi National Open University from 1998 to 2000. His journey from a remote Indian village to high-level positions in academia, international development, media and diplomacy is an exciting story of a self-made man, a visionary, an institution builder and a dynamic leader. Dr Khan is an internationally recognized leader in education and application of information and communication technologies to empower people through access to information and knowledge.
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
- Demonstrated international leadership in open and distance learning, e-learning and life-long learning.
- Extensive national and international experience in strategic planning and managing communication and information interventions in education and development.
- Extensive diplomatic experience in working for and in partnership with multilateral, international, national organizations, donor agencies and key stakeholders.
- Internationally recognized expertise in building capacity for the development of community media.
- Proven leadership in harnessing the power of information and communication to create cross cultural mutual understanding and peace building.
- Substantial experience in managing growth and subsequent organizational change in a professional and entrepreneurial manner.
- Proven track record in resource mobilization, fund raising, and institution building.
- Excellent financial management, negotiation, communication and mediation skills.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
President, Talal Abu Ghazaleh University of Business (TAGUB), Director-General, Training Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization (TAGORG), Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain (Aug 2010 to Present)
- Articulating the vision for establishing a world-class business university in GCC region.
- Providing leadership in developing academic plans for undergraduate and graduate education in business management and other related disciplines.
- Strategic planning for developing state-of-the-art infrastructure for digital era education.
- Forging partnership with world-class regional and international organizations for providing business education of highest quality.
- Managing physical, financial and human resources.
- Planning and managing training programs of the entire organization with over 1500 employees, spread over 70 offices.
Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO, Paris (July 2001 to June 2010)
- Provided vision and leadership to UNESCO’s programme in Communication and Information with focus on building inclusive knowledge societies.
- Developed strategic plans for information and communication interventions in education, sustainable development, science and culture.
- Provided leadership at global level in deploying ICTs to foster digital opportunities for social and economic inclusion.
- Building alliances between public and private sector initiatives in ICT applications to foster access to information and knowledge.
- Mobilized resources for harnessing communication and information to empower marginalized groups and communities.
- Represented UNESCO at high profile events and fora.
Director, Development and Training, the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, BC, Canada (September 2000 to June 2001)
- Managed programmes aimed at capacity building in communication and information.
- Developed strategic alliances, linkages and networks to enable COL to play a vital role in promoting open and distance learning.
- Facilitated cooperation and collaboration between and among distance education institutions and professionals.
- Provided strategic directions to training and development in the adaptation and use of distance learning techniques and technologies.
Vice-Chancellor (President & CEO), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Dehli, India (June 1998 – September 2000)
- Provided vision and leadership in policy formulation, strategic planning, academic programme development and overall management of the University with over 1.5 million students.
- Managed Distance Education Council – a national body responsible for promotion and coordination of distance education system in the country.
- Conceptualized and managed national knowledge network – television, radio, teleconferencing and on-line education and training.
- Mobilised resources and forged alliances with public and private sector partners for all round growth of the University.
- Enhanced the visibility of the University through systematic communication programmes.
Communications Specialist/Acting Head, Communication and Information Division, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Vancouver, BC, Canada (1992-1998)
- Planned and implemented projects aimed at enhancing professional capacity in communication and information.
- Coordinated and managed programmes in the use of information and communication technologies in open and distance learning within the Commonwealth.
- Conceptualized and created Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA).
Professor/Director, Communications Division, India Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India (April 1986 – February 1992)
- As Founding Director, planned, developed and managed one of the largest state-of-the-art educational media centers in Asia.
- Provided leadership in developing academic programme in communication.
- Developed a project and negotiated a financial grant of over Yen 1597 million for a phased development of the Electronic Media Centre.
Visiting Professor/Scientist, National Institute of Multimedia Education (NIME), Chiba, Japan (April 1990-March 1991)
- Carried out research in the use of ICTs in distance education in Asia, and trained young faculty members.
Expert, Communications and Population Education, Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Rome (Italy) (November 1984 – March 1986)
- Provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Forestry in developing capacity in communication and information.
- Implemented development communication projects.
- Served as a catalyst to promote professional development of communication and information professionals in Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Egypt, Tanzania and Malawi.
Communications Specialist, UNESCO, Dhaka, Bangladesh (February 1981 – November 1984)
- Assisted in developing professional capacity of radio and TV broadcasters.
- Implemented development communication projects
Communications Consultant, United Nations Fund for Population Activities, Dhaka, Bangladesh (July 1979 – January 1981)
- Developed strategic initiatives for the integration of population education in agricultural extension.
- Developed the training capacity of agricultural extension service.
Director Farm and Home Broadcasts, All India Radio (AIR), New Delhi, India (October 1975 – July 1979)
- Managed the national broadcasting network of radio and television for dissemination of innovations in agriculture and rural development and pioneered Farm School on the Air.
- Formulated national policy on farm broadcasting.
- Trained radio and TV broadcasters.
Associate Director, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Agricultural Communication Centre, Pantnagar, India (March 1973 – October 1975)
- Developed a Center of Excellence in Agricultural Communication.
- Introduced specialized curriculum in development communication.
INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCIES
- Asian Development Bank, July 1999 (TIOL, Maldives). ICT Application in Distance Learning.
- World Bank, Washington DC, USA, April 1998. Appropriate Media and Technology for Human Resources Development.
- University of Alberta (CIDA), Harare, Zimbabwe, July 1997. Distance Learning in Agriculture.
- UNESCO, Johannesburg, South Africa, May 1996. Technology Enhanced Learning.
- Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of United Nations.
- Consultant, Farm Broadcasting -1986, 1988 and 1991
- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nations
- Consultant, Development Communication- 1983, 1984 and 1989.
- Asian Productivity Organisation, Tokyo Japan, October 1987 – July 1989 (Part-time). Application of Information and Communications Technology for Development.
- United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Dhaka, Bangladesh, Consultant, Development Communication - 1979
- Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Trainer, Rural Broadcasting-1977 and 1978.
AWARDS AND DISTINCTION
- Fellow, Education Impact, 2010
- Honorary Doctorate, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia, 2010
- Kempelen Medal, Slovak Technical University, 2009
- Honorary Fellow of the Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada, 2008
- Dayawati Modi Award for Art, Culture and Education, India, 2006
- Honorary Doctorate, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India, 2005
- Honorary Fellowship, Information System Security and Audit Association, New Delhi, India, 2003
- Millennium Award for Education and World Peace, New Delhi, India, 2000
- Super Brain of India Gold Award 2000, New Delhi, India
- Distinguished Service Award, Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada, 1998
- Rajiv Gandhi National Integration Award, New Delhi, India, 1998
- Commonwealth of Learning Fellowship, 1989
MEMBERSHIP OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
- Member, Jury, World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Award, 2010-2011
- Chairman, Development Communication, India.
- Chairman, Digital Opportunities Trust (DOT) (Canada).
- Member, Steering Committee, Global Alliance on ICT for Development (G@ID) and its predecessor, the UN ICT Task Force.
- Co-Chair, United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS).
- Member, International Advisory Committee, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
- Member, International Advisory Board, University of the People
- Member, International Advisory Committee, Wawasan Open University (Malaysia).
- Director, Board of Management, WETV Foundation (Canada).
- Advisor, United States Educational Foundation (USEFI) (India).
- Advisor, ISS INFOTECH Ltd, India.
- Member, IDS International (Thailand).
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. (Mass Communication), 1973, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
- M.S. (Ag. Journalism), 1970, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
- M.Sc. (Ag. Extension), 1965, Agra University, India
- B.Sc. (Ag.), 1963, Agra University, India
PERSONAL DATA
India citizen, born 1st January 1947, married.
Languages: English, Hindi and Urdu.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
Numerous keynote addresses (list available on request)
PAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS
List available on request.
REFERENCES
Available on request.