The University of Sydney has announced that Professor Hesham El Gamal will continue in his current role leading the Faculty of Engineering and hold the dual title of Dean of Engineering and Vice-Provost (AI Implementation) with immediate effect.

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Annamarie Jagose, said the appointment was in response to the University identifying the need for dedicated academic leadership to drive institution-wide implementation as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shape higher education, research, student experience, university operations and public trust.

"Our focus is shifting from strategy development to implementation, and defined academic leadership is essential to ensure consistent human-centred adoption, effective governance, and alignment across our faculties, University schools and portfolios," Professor Jagose said.

"We’ve therefore established the role of Vice-Provost (AI Implementation). This role will build on the strong foundations we’ve established through our AI and Innovation pillar under Digital Sydney, our Responsible AI Framework, the Sydney Assessment Framework, and the Education in the Age of AI green paper. It will also help shape the next phase of our work, including advancing AI research for the public good and addressing its societal and environmental impacts, and supporting the delivery of our University-wide partnership to provide ChatGPT Edu to all students and staff, and the associated training and capability uplift.

"I am delighted to announce that Professor Hesham El Gamal has been appointed to the role of Vice-Provost (AI Implementation). Hesham will continue his current role leading the Faculty of Engineering and hold the dual title of Dean of Engineering and Vice-Provost (AI Implementation) with immediate effect.

"The Vice-Provost (AI Implementation) will provide senior academic stewardship and institutional coordination across the University, working in partnership with other academic and professional leaders with defined AI responsibilities and alongside strategic programs like Collective Excellence, Digital Sydney, and Service Excellence.

"Hesham is uniquely suited to this role. His research has focused on machine learning and related computational disciplines, which he combines with proven faculty leadership and experience leading complex transformation. Together, these attributes position him strongly to lead the University's academic AI implementation agenda, ensuring that AI adoption strengthens the University’s mission, values, educational quality, research impact, operational effectiveness, and public benefit. 

"Please join me in congratulating Hesham on his appointment. I look forward to continuing our work together in the Faculty of Engineering and across the University as we realise the opportunities presented by responsible AI implementation for education, research and social impact."

In accepting his appointment, Professor El Gamal said he was excited to bring together the remarkable expertise across our University at this critical time.

"We’re fortunate to have world-class researchers, educators and professional staff who are already exploring the ways we can responsibly adopt AI across our organisation, and I’m eager to help foster the collaboration and conditions required to align with our core mission and values and succeed at scale," Professor El Gamal said. 

“I am also committed to continuing the important work underway in the Faculty of Engineering as we deliver transformative, student-focused education and research excellence with real-world impact under our Strategic Plan 2025-28.”