After a continent-wide search for a new Dean of the Academy, we are thrilled to welcome former faculty member, Hatim Eltayeb back to our campus to fill this pivotal role.
A Sudanese national, Hatim was among the first faculty members of ALA. Hatim taught primarily in the African Studies department. He also chaired the Seminal Readings Committee, shaping the curriculum for a distinctive Socratic course at the heart of the Academy. As a Hall Master in the student residence, he gained an appreciation of the unique learning opportunities in a boarding school environment. In 2011, he was named ALA :Teacher of the Year”.
In 2017, Hatim returned to Cairo, Egypt, where he spent his formative years. With two partner educators, he founded Symposium, a school services and consulting company. Symposium’s flagship product, sympoSAT, grew to serve hundreds of students at 15 leading independent schools in Cairo. Today, Symposium continues to develop BrightBoard: a locally-focused teacher-recruitment portal. Most recently, Hatim served as President at top Choice Admissions, where he led the development of the MENA region’s first 100% proprietary university admissions readiness cirriculum. He left his executive position at Top Choice Admissions in June 2016 to return to the Academy.
As Dean of the Academy, Hatim will lead teachers and students in our flagship two-year pre-university program, and shape an innovative campus community that leverages its cultural diversity.
Former students have lauded Hatim’s selection as the Academy’s Dean. Alumni Trustee Lillian Maboya says “Hatims is passionate about education and embraces change. He is a great learner and agent of positive change. I am excited to see him lead ALA with his curios mind, open personality, and characteristic courage.”
Anthony Kaguara, Chair of the ALA Alumni Association, states that “Hatim’s journey reflects that of many ALA alumni and his appointment as the next Dean of the African Leadership Academy stands testament to the mission and the values that the ALA community stands for. He is a friend to many and brings joy to those around him. We wish him the best of luck and we look forward to working with him to create an impactful alumni community.”
ALA Co-Founder Fred Swaniker says that “Hatim represents the very best in African leadership today. His intellect, emotional intelligence, and creativity are exactly what we need at this stage of ALA’s development. I am especially pleased that he is assuming such a significant leadership role at such a young age. His presence on campus will provide deep inspiration for our young leaders that they too can lead major institutions and organizations, even in their late twenties and early thirties.
Hatim, himself, says “I could not be more excited to return to ALA as Dean on the eve of our decennial year. I look forward to celebrating the African continent together, and to widening the reach of our important work of identifying, developing, and connecting future leaders.”
Hatim is a 2009 graduate of Harvard University, where he completed a B.A. Government with a secondary concentration in Political and Moral Philosophy.
