Dr. Wail is the founding Dean of the Entrepreneurship Institute and Professor of Electrical Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He was the first Saudi to be sponsored by Dhahran Techno Valley for a PhD in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Leeds, and since graduating has invested his time in academia, research and start-ups back home.
As a result of his forward-thinking approach, KFUPM, through the Entrepreneurship Institute, received the inaugural award from the SME Authority for the best university in the Kingdom supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in 2017 and, more recently, ranked as the best Business Incubator in KSA according to the SMEs Authority’s Platforms Assessment for the year 2020. Studying at the University of Leeds allowed Dr. Wail to strengthen his research and communication skills, paving his academic career which to date has seen him publish over 50 publications, author three best-selling books and design 6 patents. He believes in the power of mentorship and through his teaching at the Entrepreneurship Institute has witnessed over 30 successful start-ups that have gone on to generate over 25 million SR in cumulative revenue and created more than 100 jobs in the last 5 years.
On a personal level, Dr. Wail has completed several management programs in an effort to enhance his business acumen, and in turn help the younger generation in translating their business pursuits into successful ventures. His commitment to entrepreneurship has been recognised by KFUPM and beyond, allowing him to continue sharing his expertise in the field and diversifying his network on a global scale.