Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi, Head of the School of Computing & Innovative Technologies at British University Vietnam (BUV), leads with the motto: “We don’t train technologists, we train leaders”—a philosophy rooted in practicality, innovation, and sustainability.
Assoc. Prof. Ali Al-Dulaimi, Head of School, School of Computing & Innovative Technologies at British University Vietnam. Photo courtesy of BUV
Holding a PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Concordia University, Canada, and postdoctoral research experience at both Concordia and York Universities, Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi has worn many hats—lecturer, head of faculty, research leader, project manager, and business executive.
Yet despite his engineering success, he has devoted more than 20 years to academia, teaching at international institutions in the UAE and Canada.
“Teaching has always been my passion. I find true happiness in the classroom, where I can share knowledge and inspire the next generation,” he said.
Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi spends time talking with students. Photo courtesy of BUV
His time working in some of the world’s wealthiest nations ultimately inspired him to choose Vietnam. He believes education can be transformative in developing countries and wants to play a role in that progress.
“Vietnam’s investment of over US$4.57 billion in 2024 to develop its education system, particularly higher education, further strengthens my belief in the government’s vision,” he noted.
He also praises Vietnam’s tradition of valuing education and sees in its young generation’s exceptional academic ability and critical thinking skills. This, he said, is why he joined BUV, which he believes has the potential to become a leading university in the region.
Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi highlights BUV students’ resilience, strong mathematical foundation, and eagerness to learn. He recalls a third-year student’s capstone project: “I challenged this student with my own PhD research, asking them to find a better approach. Not only did they understand it, but they improved it, achieving results far superior to my original work.”
Many students also proactively approach him for research collaborations as early as their first or second year, with several showing remarkable progress.
Attempt to change stereotypes
One concern that weighs on Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi is the stereotype that technology is a male-dominated field, an outdated notion he encountered in both developed and developing nations.
At BUV, female students have historically accounted for only about 5% of tech program enrollments. Some have even shared with him that they opted out because, as one said: “My parents don’t want their daughter studying IT.”
“I believe women possess a unique blend of meticulous thinking, empathy, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are perfectly suited for modern technology,” he said.
To encourage more women to join, he personally conducts hundreds of scholarship interviews each year. Many female applicants have left a strong impression on him.
One memorable case involved a candidate for the Games Art program, asked to select three colors for a marketing poster designed for him. Before answering, she inquired about his age, then chose navy blue, gold, and white. She explained: “At your age, sir, eyesight tends to weaken. These colors offer strong contrast, are easy to see, and look sophisticated.”
“Her response completely won me over. She didn’t just show talent; she demonstrated a professional, design-thinking perspective,” he recalled.
This belief in the value of female perspective led him to establish the Tech Queens Scholarship, dedicated to supporting women in technology at BUV. The initiative aims to break gender stereotypes, promote equality, and empower women to become pioneers in shaping a more inclusive digital future.
Assoc. Prof. Ali Al-Dulaimi awards scholarships to outstanding female students pursuing technology programs. Photo courtesy of BUV
Building a hub for innovation
When reflecting on Vietnamese education, Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi praises students’ logical thinking, mathematical strengths, and work ethic, while noting that creativity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary skills, hallmarks of Western education, could be further developed.
Guided by his philosophy that “education cannot be detached from practice,” he and his team at BUV have designed a unique training model. Students not only learn theory but also engage directly with real-world applications, blending their strong academic foundation with British-style education that emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Assoc. Prof. Ali Al-Dulaimi leads the training course on “Artificial Intelligence: Simplifying Government Procedures & AI Tools for Effective Government,” organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs and BUV in 2024. Photo courtesy of BUV
The School of Computing & Innovative Technologies offers five globally recognized programs: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Game Design and Programming, and Games Art.
Under his leadership, the curriculum is refreshed each semester to balance practical skills, systems thinking, and interdisciplinary knowledge, aligning with the needs of modern businesses.
BUV fosters a culture of research and innovation from the undergraduate level. Students are encouraged to question, challenge, and create—turning lectures, assignments, and even exams into opportunities for discovery.
The university also integrates cutting-edge tools such as Codio and AI platforms directly into teaching. While some institutions restrict AI use, BUV encourages students to apply it responsibly to enhance programming, design, and problem-solving skills.
“We don’t view AI as a tool for academic dishonesty. Instead, we guide students to use it responsibly and creatively,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi envisions positioning BUV as Vietnam’s premier hub for digital innovation, a place where graduates not only join top corporations but also launch ventures of their own.
“We don’t just train technologists; we train leaders – Vietnam’s tech innovators with global impact,” he concluded.
Learn more about the School of Computing & Innovative Technologies at BUV here.