About the author
Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi is a UAE intellectual, writer and strategic expert, and is the Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) since 1994 till the present time. He earned his BS degree in political science from Kuwait University in 1981 and his MA and Ph.D. degrees in political science from the University of Wisconsin in 1985 and 1990, respectively. In 1992, he became a visiting lecturer at the University of Wisconsin where he taught a course on the Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. He was also a Professor in Political Science Department at the UAE University in Al Ain (1991-2000) where he taught different courses and seminars.
Dr. Al-Suwaidi has authored several books, including From Tribe to Facebook: The Transformational Role of Social Networks (2013)--which featured on the best-seller list of the Emarat Al Youm newspaper. Dr. Al-Suwaidi is a board member of Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies (CCAS) in the U.S, in addition to his membership of the board of research consultants of the Institute for Foreign policy Analysis (IFPA) in the U.S. He is a former Chairman of the Board for the Emirates National Schools and former Council Member at Zayed University. In 2009, he was appointed Chairman of the Higher Committee for the preparation of the National Strategy for Childhood and Motherhood in the United Arab Emirates. He was granted Membership for the International Advisory Board of The E-City for HM King Hamad Ibn Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain in January 2010. Dr. Al-Suwaidi is a trustee of the Emirati-Swiss Friendship Platform and a member of the Advisory Board of Casa Arabe of Spain. In 2012, he was named as a member of the Supreme Council for the National Defence College. On May 19, 2015, Dr. Al-Suwaidi was appointed Chairman of the Founding Committee for the Care of Cancer Patients by Decree No. (13) for the year 2015, issued by the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
Dr. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi has been awarded a number of awards and medals the Legion of Merit (Commander Degree) from the late King Hassan II of the Kingdom of Morocco in 1995, the French Order of Merit (First Class) by the French Republic President in 2002, the Emirates Appreciation Award for Science, Arts and Literature in its Third Round for 2008 and the "Abu Dhabi Medal" by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces in 2012. In 2012, he received the "Unique Leadership and Futuristic Vision Award" from the Emirates Identity Authority. In 2013, he was awarded the "Key to the City of Fez." In 2013, the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented the 'Head of State Merit Award' to Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi for the second time in recognition of his patriotism and sincere achievements and as a role model for upholding the "Values of Giving." In 2014, he received the "Mediterranean Award for Diplomacy" from the Fondazione Mediterraneo. The award was conferred in recognition of his efforts and contributions toward bringing nations closer and promoting the concept of "cultural diplomacy" based on knowledge and thought. On 28 September 2014, he was awarded the "Key to the City of Alexandria" in recognition of his efforts in supporting culture. In 2015, he received the "Knight of Arab Studies" Award from the Arab Producers Union, an affiliate of the Arab League. Dr. Al-Suwaidi also received the "Arab Social Media Influencers Award 2015--Politics Category for Institutions" granted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research. On May 28, 2015, Al Tawasol International Tent in Abu Dhabi gave Dr. Al-Suwaidi an Appreciation Certificate in recognition of his pioneering and outstanding role in spreading the culture of scholarly research. On June 2, 2015, The Cultural and Scientific Association & Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation presented Dr. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi Cultural Personality of the Year Award in the 22nd edition of the Award.
