Rooted And Rising: HE Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi

In an era where innovation and tradition are so often positioned at opposite ends of the spectrum, HE Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi offers a different proposition—one that affirms the future can move forward without leaving the past behind.

It’s a perspective that was powerfully underscored in July this year, when a delegation led by Sheikha Bodour secured the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site status for the historic Faya palaeolandscape in Sharjah—a milestone that not only celebrates the emirate’s ancient past, but also cements its role as a cultural beacon on the global stage.

That mindset of progress anchored in heritage is perhaps unsurprising, given that Sheikha Bodour is the daughter of UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who is known for grounding the development of the emirate that he leads in its cultural identity. It is a legacy that Sheikha Bodour carries forward in the many leadership positions she holds across different industry sectors in Sharjah and beyond, but it is perhaps most clearly reflected in her roles as Chairperson of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SRTIP), and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa). While each of these institutions serves a distinct mandate, her work across them is anchored in a consistent vision.

“Across every role I hold, whether in education, culture, investment, or development, there is one unifying goal: building systems that create opportunity and drive long-term value for the people of Sharjah and the UAE,” Sheikha Bodour explains to Inc. Arabia. “The sector may change, but the approach stays the same. It is about aligning people, ideas, and resources around a shared mission. My leadership style is based on integration. I do not see these areas as separate lanes. Innovation needs cultural relevance. Investment needs talent. Development needs purpose. Progress only happens when those forces are connected and moving in the same direction.”

Sheikha Bodour celebrates the inscription of Sharjah's historic palaeolandscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

It is this mindset that comes into focus when considering Sheikha Bodour’s stewardship of AUS in a world that’s being rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence (AI). AUS is one of the UAE’s—and the region’s—most respected educational institutions; however, Sheikha Bodour makes it clear that prestige is no shield against the disruptive impact of AI on how we live, work, and, yes, learn. “We need to stop thinking of education as something that keeps pace with change,” Sheikha Bodour points out. “In moments of transformation, such as the one we are currently experiencing, education must lead. At AUS, we view our role not only as staying aligned with the future, but also as actively shaping it.”

Such a belief is thus what’s guiding AUS’ efforts to reimagine itself as a modern university in the age of AI—particularly in a region that is contending with the challenges of aligning fast-moving innovation with equally agile frameworks. “We need to rethink education globally, not just in the Arab world,” Sheikha Bodour adds. “AI is not simply a new tool. We are witnessing a historic shift in real time. And I, for one, am excited about its possibilities, even as I remain cautious about the ethical and societal risks that come with unchecked AI power.”

“This is why we cannot afford to treat AI as an add-on to education,” she continues. “It must be woven into how we teach, how we learn, and how we prepare the next generation to lead. At AUS, we made this a strategic priority from the outset. Today, we offer over 55 courses that integrate AI concepts across various disciplines. But more importantly, we have built the AI Hub [a digital space dedicated to advancing AI education within the AUS community] to help faculty and students engage with these technologies in a way that deepens learning rather than replacing it. We are not just teaching tools. We are cultivating judgment, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility.”

This deeper integration of AI, Sheikha Bodour points out, also aligns with AUS’ broader ambition to evolve into a research-intensive university that contributes directly to both national and regional priorities. “Over the next five years, we will expand interdisciplinary programs, strengthen global partnerships, and invest in advanced research centers focused on key sectors, including manufacturing, sustainability, healthcare, and the creative industries,” she says. “We are leveraging our expertise in AI, data science, robotics, advanced materials, and cultural heritage to drive innovation across these areas.”

Sheikha Bodour speaking at an AUS event. 

This vision is already being brought to life on multiple fronts across the AUS campus. For one, the university has established the Artificial Intelligence, Smart Infrastructure, and Robotics Research Center, where, Sheikha Bodour points out, researchers are working on real-world applications in machine learning, robotics, and smart systems. (“These are not abstract experiments,” she says. “They are solutions to tangible challenges across industries.”) At the same time, partnerships with global entities like Amazon Web Services and Cisco are also playing a part in enhancing AUS’ digital infrastructure and building campus-wide capabilities

“AUS is also stepping forward as a regional convener,” Sheikha Bodour adds. “Our recent conferences on AI and linguistics, as well as AI in education, have positioned us as a platform for serious dialogue about how these technologies are reshaping knowledge, language, and identity in the Arab world. So, yes, we are rethinking education. But we are not discarding its foundations. We are building on them with interdisciplinary learning, cultural awareness, and a deep sense of purpose. Our goal is not to react to disruption. It is to lead through it.”

This instinct to drive impact is also fueling a broader transformation across Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem, including at SRTIP, which Sheikha Bodour also leads as Chairperson. Founded in 2016 as “a global hub for innovation, research, and business growth,” SRTIP is, as Sheikha Bodour puts it, focused on transforming national ambitions into tangible, real-world impact. “Our core purpose is to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where advanced research, technological development, and innovation-driven enterprises can flourish,” she adds. “Since its launch, SRTIP has been instrumental in this effort, actively bringing together government, academia, and industry to drive breakthroughs and support the broader innovation agenda of Sharjah and the UAE. This collaborative approach ensures research directly translates into solutions that benefit our community and foster sustainable economic growth.”

Of course, purpose only matters if it leads to progress, and at SRTIP, the momentum is already visible, with Sheikha Bodour eager to point to what’s been achieved. “One of SRTIP’s most notable achievements has been the development of advanced prototyping facilities, such as SoiLab [the first open-access prototyping center in Sharjah] and Base39 [a hub for cultural and creative entrepreneurs], alongside initiatives like the Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation (SOTI), which help translate university research into market-ready solutions,” she shares. “Today, over 300 companies operate within the park, working across critical sectors including renewable energy, water, transportation, advanced manufacturing, and environmental technology. SRTIP has evolved into a dynamic space where real progress is taking shape, exemplified by events like the Business Breakfast by AI Factory [SRTIP’s integrated system designed for end-to-end AI lifecycle management], which connected global players such as NVIDIA, Intel, and HPE with emerging startups. These collaborations highlight Sharjah’s move from concept-stage incubation to a more mature phase of sector-focused innovation.”

Sheikha Bodour at an event. 

This momentum is further reflected in SRTIP’s growing role as a bridge between academia and industry, with Sheikha Bodour pointing out that the entity has become a key hub for research commercialization, thanks to its partnership with AUS. As an example, Sheikha Bodour points to the AUS researchers who, supported by SRTIP, recently completed Sharjah’s first 3D-printed concrete villa, advancing national goals in sustainable construction and offering hands-on training to students. “Another milestone was the UAE’s first precast structure using conductive concrete, designed to protect critical infrastructure from electromagnetic interference— a project that has already led to two US patent filings,” she adds. “And on a more global scale, a trilateral research partnership with the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology [in China] is opening new pathways in AI, biotechnology, and engineering.”

Sheikha Bodour also highlights the Seal the Deal initiative, where AUS student founders pitched their ventures at the Sharjah Investment Forum and secured AED520,000 (US$141,572) in funding commitments—a clear signal that student-led ideas can attract real investment when backed by a supportive ecosystem. But SRTIP’s support isn’t limited to tech- or science-centric sectors—it’s also extending into the creative economy, with initiatives like BASE39 paving the way. “With BASE39, we are empowering the next generation of cultural and creative entrepreneurs,” Sheikha Bodour notes. “This hybrid space was built to give young creatives, from artists to designers to filmmakers, the tools, mentorship, and community they need to transform ideas into viable careers and ventures. It reflects our belief that the creative economy is just as vital to national progress as science and technology.”

That belief ties into the broader philosophy behind SRTIP, which, in less than a decade, has established itself as a cornerstone of the UAE’s innovation landscape. “Across the region, there is still a need to improve research funding models, foster tolerance for early-stage risk, and better align academic cycles with market timelines,” Sheikha Bodour says. “But what we are building in Sharjah is a strong counterexample. It is a collaborative model where universities, innovation parks, investors, and now, creative hubs work together to unlock the commercial and social value of ideas. The progress we are seeing reinforces what we have always believed: that innovation thrives when it is rooted in long-term thinking, meaningful partnerships, and a shared commitment to making a positive impact.”

That same ethos is reflected in Sheikha Bodour’s leadership of Sheraa, which launched in 2016 as an AUS-based program aimed at fostering entrepreneurial talent, and has since grown into one of the UAE’s foremost platforms for founders. To articulate the philosophy behind Sheraa’s founding, Sheikha Bodour turns to a quote by American journalist Hodding Carter: “There are two lasting gifts we can give our children. One is roots, the other is wings.” “We created Sheraa to provide our students with the space to explore entrepreneurship while remaining grounded in a values-driven education,” she explains. “It began as a way to let them take flight, while staying connected to purpose. What started as a university-based initiative quickly grew into a national platform for impact-driven entrepreneurship. From the outset, we believed that startups should not only strive for financial growth but also develop meaningful solutions. Sheraa’s mission was never to build businesses; it was to empower them. It was to nurture founders who are thoughtful, inclusive, and committed to long-term progress.”

Sheikha Bodour at a Sheraa event. 

Since Sheraa’s launch, more than 450 startups have come through its different programs, over half of which are women-led. These ventures have collectively raised nearly $300 million in capital and generated over $370 million in revenue. Meanwhile, Sheraa’s home of Sharjah was ranked seventh in this year’s list of top ecosystems in the MENA region by Startup Genome, an international benchmarking platform for innovation hubs. For Sheikha Bodour, this is a recognition that reflects “the collective momentum of our founders, institutions, and partners,” with Sheraa playing an instrumental role in building Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to be both locally grounded and globally competitive.

“As the needs of founders have evolved, so has our model,” she adds. “Today’s entrepreneurs are navigating complex environments characterized by global uncertainty, technological advancements, and increasing societal expectations. We responded by deepening our focus on key sectors, building strong local and international partnerships, and designing programs that help founders grow while maintaining their purpose. We have remained intentional about who we support and how we do so.”

Together, AUS, SRTIP, and Sheraa are shaping Sharjah to be what can only be described as one of the region’s most cohesive innovation ecosystems—one that places just as much value on cultural relevance and inclusion as it does on capital and scale. (As Sheikha Bodour puts it: “It is about building a system where purpose meets execution, and where ambition is supported every step of the way.”)

But Sheikha Bodour also points out that the transformation Sharjah is undergoing is not just a reaction to the trends of the current age—on the contrary, it’s a result of a decades-long strategy that the ruler of the emirate, Sheikh Sultan, has been implementing, which has always been centered on investing in its people. “He insisted on investing in culture and education as the foundation for long-term prosperity, with a clear purpose: to build an economy driven by people, and designed to serve them,” Sheikha Bodour says. “That investment took patience and foresight. But its impact is now unmistakable. The graduates of Sharjah’s universities are shaping stellar careers across the UAE and the region. Their commitment to excellence is becoming the engine of a new kind of economy, one that blends heritage with innovation and purpose with progress.”

Sharjah today is thus the result of a deliberate evolution rooted in values, Sheikha Bodour says. “That is why Sharjah has invested in institutions that do more than support business,” she says. “They nurture creativity, empower entrepreneurs, and amplify voices that reflect the diversity of our society. Today, creative industries are thriving, encompassing a wide range of fields, from publishing and design to architecture and media. Sustainability has become a key pillar, integrated into infrastructure, education, and policy. Inclusive entrepreneurship is not a slogan; it is a strategy, with over half of Sheraa’s supported startups being women-led, and initiatives that target underserved sectors and communities. The creative economy, supported by Sheraa, SRTIP, and a robust academic network, is now a cornerstone of Sharjah’s future-facing vision. But what truly defines this transformation is the clarity of its principles: long-term thinking, human development, inclusive opportunity, and a belief that progress must be both economically competitive and socially meaningful.”

Sheikha Bodour at an event. 

According to Sheikha Bodour, Sharjah is thus redefining what it means to build a modern economy—one that draws strength from its cultural roots, while preparing its people to lead in the future. “To make progress, we do not need to shed our identity or distance ourselves from our cultural roots,” she says. “True innovation does not erase our roots. It draws from it. When transformative ideas are anchored in heritage, they carry more meaning, more resilience, and more humanity. That is the approach I have always believed in, and tried to reflect across the institutions I serve. Innovation, when truly transformative, does not sever ties with the past. It weaves heritage into the very fabric of the future. This tells the next generation of changemakers that lasting progress blossoms from a shared set of values. From culture. From the deep knowledge of who we are, and what we stand for. Whether we are shaping research agendas at AUS, supporting purpose-led founders at Sheraa, or building advanced infrastructure through SRTIP, the choices we make reflect more than strategy. They reflect belief. Our heritage informs how we define impact, how we approach sustainability, how we design inclusive ecosystems, and how we choose to engage with the world. It shapes not just what we build, but why we make it.”

Sheikha Bodour also believes that Sharjah’s model offers a blueprint the wider region can adopt—one that positions it not just as a follower, but as a market shaper on the global stage. “I believe the Arab world has an opportunity to demonstrate that identity and ambition can coexist, allowing one to be rooted and future-focused,” she says. “That you can lead without mimicking others. If our next generation of leaders understands that, they will build companies, institutions, and movements that are not just competitive but also meaningful and enduring. That is the model we are building in Sharjah. It signals to young changemakers across the region that they do not need to choose between their heritage and progress. The most powerful path is when both move forward together.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, that message—to move forward without leaving one’s roots behind—is not just something Sheikha Bodour advocates; it’s also something she strives to embody through her own leadership journey, across every sector she steps into. “Every morning, I ask myself how my actions will benefit Sharjah and the UAE,” she explains. “How will they serve the vision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan? How will they contribute to something meaningful and lasting for the people who call this place home? I do not move through my work with legacy in mind. I intend to live and lead in a way that inspires myself and others to reach our truest potential. When we do that, the impact will follow.”

Sheikha Bodour’s career offers compelling proof of these values in action. For instance, even before leading the delegation that secured UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Sharjah’s Faya palaeolandscape this year, she had spearheaded the emirate’s designation as the UNESCO World Book Capital in 2019, and she’d also made history in 2020 as the first Arab and Muslim woman (and only the second woman ever) to lead the International Publishers Association. In Sharjah, as Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), her vision has helped transform the emirate’s landscape—an effort that aligns with her work at AUS, SRTIP, and Sheraa to build a vibrant ecosystem for education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Sheikha Bodour. 

Together, these initiatives speak to more than achievement; they reflect a long-term commitment to meaningful, lasting change. “What moves me most is not any single milestone,” Sheikha Bodour says. “It is the sense of momentum. The sense that something powerful and lasting is being built, not by me alone, but by many. My role is to maintain that momentum as honest, inclusive, and purposeful. We want to be good ancestors. That is the deeper drive behind all of this. To pass on institutions and systems that make it easier for the next generation to thrive. And to do so with integrity, humility, and hope.”

This, Sheikha Bodour reveals, is a philosophy that she returns to often: small, consistent steps, over grand, performative gestures. “There is a line often attributed to Russian writer Leo Tolstoy about a man on a thousand-mile walk,” she shares. “He says you cannot keep looking at the distant goal. Instead, you wake up each morning, walk 25 miles, and rest. Then, you get up the next day and do it again. That has always stayed with me. Authentic leadership is not about chasing impact all at once. It is about showing up with intention consistently, especially when the path is complex or uncertain.”

It’s an approach that has allowed her to navigate discomfort with clarity, treating obstacles not as reasons to retreat, but as reminders to stay the course. “Whenever something is challenging, it usually means it is crucial,” she explains. “That mindset keeps me going. The discomfort is often a signal that what you are doing matters. It is a reminder to lean in, not step back.”

And to others in the Arab world navigating leadership journeys of their own, Sheikha Bodour offers a reminder of balance. “We must lead with a global mindset, while staying deeply rooted in our heritage,” she says. “That balance is not just possible, it is essential. It allows us to innovate with originality and to contribute to the world without compromising who we are. Identity is not a limitation. It is a foundation. It shapes how we build, how we lead, and how we stay grounded in a fast-changing world.”

But the practice of leadership, Sheikha Bodour notes, is also deeply personal. “Even in the busiest seasons, I make an effort to create space for reflection, reading, and being around people who bring substance to my life,” she shares. “Choose practices that nourish your spirit. Eat well, move, create, laugh, even when it feels easier not to. When you protect your inner strength, you lead with clarity, rather than depletion.”

In the end, it is not just strategy or success that defines Sheikha Bodour’s leadership—it is the quiet conviction to lead with grace. “Kindness, for me, is not a soft idea,” she says. “It is a decision. It means leading with empathy even when things are tense. It means choosing to listen, to include, to uplift, especially when it would be easier not to. Over time, I have observed how this kind of leadership fosters trust, attracts the right people, and sustains momentum even in uncertain times. It keeps you connected to what matters and to the people you are working for. Ultimately, it is not just what you achieve, but how you make others feel along the way, that defines your leadership.”

Pictured in the lead image is HE Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. Image supplied.