Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Digital Innovation and Sustainability recognized among leaders setting new standards in the MENA region
August 6, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Dr. Aseel Takshe, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Digital Innovation and Sustainability at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), has been named among Inc. Arabia’s Women of Influence 2026, recognizing the top 60 female leaders who are setting new standards for business in the MENA Region. Dr. Takshe was awarded 20th position in the prestigious listing, which this year attracted entries from over 300 exceptional women from across the region.
Acknowledged for her advocacy in bridging academia with real-world demands, Dr. Takshe stood out for her leadership in developing university programs that are not only academically rigorous, but also directly aligned with the needs of the UAE, the wider region, and the global sustainability agenda. A major milestone in her impact at CUD has been transforming the School from a traditional academic unit into a more outward-facing, applied, and partnership-driven platform.
Before joining CUD, Dr. Takshe worked across quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) management, environmental consultancy, systems development, internal auditing, and training; experiences that gave her first-hand insight into the gap that often exists between academic knowledge and real-world implementation. Speaking to Inc. Arabia, she explained, “I made a deliberate decision to bring those worlds together. It shaped my academic purpose: to prepare students not only to pass courses, but to become professionals who can think, act, lead, and solve problems in complex environments. It influenced the way I teach, the way I design curricula, the partnerships I pursue, and the research I prioritize. It also shaped my view that universities must be active contributors to national priorities, not isolated knowledge institutions."
Since joining CUD in 2019, Dr. Takshe has advanced partnerships and collaborations with Canadian universities, including transfer and dual-degree pathways, along with key UAE and regional stakeholders such as Dubai Municipality, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Emirates Zoo, American Hospital Dubai, BRF Food, and other public and private sector partners. These collaborations have expanded experiential learning, internships, research exposure, field activities, and industry-led learning opportunities for students.
Speaking about the positive role of women in shifting the business and education ecosystem in the UAE and the region, Dr. Takshe says a more integrated, human-centred, and socially responsive form of leadership is emerging. She explains, “There is growing recognition that women leaders bring strategic value, not symbolic representation. They lead schools, build partnerships, sit on panels, shape curricula, contribute to national conversations, and influence the next generation of professionals. The ecosystem is moving from asking whether women can lead to recognizing that women are already leading transformation across sectors.”
Offering advice to women following in her footsteps, Dr. Takshe concludes, “Protect your standards, but also protect your energy. Be kind, but do not shrink. Work hard, but do not confuse exhaustion with impact. Build expertise but also build networks. And when you enter rooms where decisions are made, do not simply be grateful to be there; contribute with confidence, because your voice may open the door for someone else.”
The Inc. Arabia Women of Influence 2026 listing is published in the magazine’s special edition to coincide with the UAE celebrations for Emirati Women’s Day later in August. Dr. Takshe is honored among the list of esteemed female leaders representing some of the region’s most renowned businesses, government entities and non-profit organizations.
The Inc. Arabia Women of Influence 2026 listing is published in the magazine’s special edition, available here, to coincide with the UAE celebrations for Emirati Women’s Day later in August. Dr. Takshe is honored among an esteemed group of female leaders representing some of the region’s most renowned businesses, government entities and non-profit organizations.