Dr. Ahmed Al-Sa'di

Dr. Ahmed Al-Sa'di

Assistant Professor & Senior Research Advisor
Expert in Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience Design, Educational Technology & AI Innovation
280
Citations
11
H-Index
17
Years Experience
30
Publications

I am an Assistant Professor shaped by a journey across cultures—grounded in computer science, honed through leadership, and driven by a belief that technology should serve people in their own language and context, a conviction nurtured from a Jordanian computer lab to a Malaysian classroom, tested in a Saudi dean’s office, matured during a New Zealand doctorate, and now guiding my future work.

Human-Computer Interaction User Experience Design Educational Technology Artificial Intelligence Cross-Cultural Design Research Management

Professional Experience Timeline

A comprehensive journey through 17+ years of academic excellence, research leadership, and industry innovation across four countries

Assistant Professor & Senior Research Advisor (Full-time)

Te Pūkenga (Whitireia and WelTec), New Zealand

2021 - Present
4+ Years

Strategic Research Leadership & PBRF Excellence

Providing strategic leadership in research initiatives, managing institution-wide PBRF 2026 preparations, and overseeing research management systems for 200+ academic staff across multiple campuses.

Leadership
200+ staff managed
National Impact
ITP Research Symposium Chair
Systems
ROMs Management
Supervised Master's students and mentored junior researchers
Evaluated internal and external funding proposals
Ensured compliance with government research policies

Research and Innovation Consultant (part-time)

New Zealand Quality Research and Innovation (NZQRI)

2018 - Present
6+ Years

Educational Technology Innovation & Consulting

Leading innovative digital solutions for educational platforms, developing the groundbreaking EduFlex Framework, and consulting on AI integration in educational tools with focus on ethical considerations and user acceptance.

Innovation
EduFlex Framework
Consulting
AI in Education
Designed user-friendly interfaces for disaster management applications
Provided strategic consulting on UX design for educational platforms

Assistant Professor ( part-time)

ICL Graduate Business School, New Zealand

2018 - 2025
Multiple Tenures

Advanced Postgraduate Course Leadership

Designing and delivering advanced postgraduate courses with innovative pedagogical strategies, supervising numerous Level 9 students, and achieving exceptional student satisfaction ratings of 4.8-4.9/5.0.

Teaching
4.8-4.9/5.0 Rating
Supervision
Level 9 Students
Innovation
Pedagogical Strategies

IT Lecturer

NorthTec, New Zealand

2017 - 2021
4 Years

Undergraduate Teaching & Curriculum Development

Taught comprehensive undergraduate IS courses, supervised final-year projects, and developed high-quality course materials with active participation in faculty professional development and committee work.

Curriculum
Course Development
Projects
Final Year Supervision

Lecturer

Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand

2014 - 2020
Multiple Contracts

Paper Leadership & Large-Scale Teaching

Served as Paper Leader for INFS811 and UCD805 courses, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students with classes up to 220 students, while supervising Master's research and developing online content.

Leadership
Paper Leader
Scale
220+ Students
Research
Master's Supervision

Assistant Dean & IT Lecturer

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

2010 - 2013
3 Years

Dual Leadership Role: Administrative & Academic Excellence

Managed student registration and enrolment for 5,000+ students annually while teaching undergraduate IT courses, conducting student advisement, managing departmental budgets, and supervising final projects.

Management
5,000+ Students
Budget
Financial Operations
Dual Role
Admin & Teaching

Career Impact Summary

4
Countries
International Experience
500+
Students Mentored
Across all levels
$120K+
Research Grants
Secured funding
17+
Years Experience
Progressive career

Educational Excellence Journey

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand

2018
PhD Completed

Dissertation: "User Interface Guidelines for Tablet PC Arabic Educational Applications"

Developed a novel conceptual framework for successful User-Centred Design (UCD) in Tablet PC applications, specifically for Arabic-speaking users. Conducted extensive empirical research to derive practical guidelines, significantly contributing to cross-cultural HCI and educational technology.

Research Focus
Cross-cultural HCI Design
Impact
9+ Citations
Innovation
Novel UCD Framework

Master's in Information Technology (MCIT)

University Utara Malaysia, Malaysia

2008
Master's Degree

Thesis: "Developing E-learning Web Based Using ADDIE Model in the Engineering Department for ACM"

Explored the use of the ADDIE model and Information Systems Management to develop an E-Learning Process Engineering Network (EPEN) prototype for Asian Composites Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (ACM).

Methodology
ADDIE Framework
Application
Industrial E-Learning

Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS)

Irbid National University, Jordan

2007
Bachelor's Degree

Specialisation: Core Computer Science Principles

Comprehensive foundation in computer science principles, programming languages, database management systems, and software engineering fundamentals.

Programming
Multiple Languages
Databases
Management Systems

Research Impact & Analytics

My research explores emerging technologies, interdisciplinary innovation, and their broader societal impact, with an emphasis on practical applications and measurable outcomes.

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280
Total Citations
273 since 2020
11
H-Index
Top 15% in field
30
Publications
Peer-reviewed
15+
Collaborations
International

Research Excellence Indicators

$120K+
Research Grants Secured
National & International
15+
Journal Articles
High-impact publications
12+
Conference Papers
International conferences

Teaching Excellence & Student Impact

Over 17 years of innovative teaching, mentoring 500+ students, and revolutionising educational approaches

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the conviction that education is a transformative journey, enabling students to become critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, and lifelong learners. I strive to create an inclusive, dynamic, and challenging learning environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and prepares students for the complexities of the modern IT era.

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Course Portfolio

User-Centred Design

Paper Leader

Comprehensive UCD process, user research methodologies, prototyping techniques, and usability testing frameworks.

Rating: 4.9/5
60+ Students
Excellence
98% Success Rate

AI in Design Thinking

Paper Leader

Integration of artificial intelligence tools and principles in creative design processes and innovation frameworks.

Rating: 4.8/5
45+ Students
Innovation
AI Integration

IT Project Management

Paper Leader

Agile methodologies, risk management strategies, stakeholder communication, and digital transformation leadership.

Rating: 4.7/5
220+ Students
Practical Application
96% Success

Human-Computer Interaction

Undergraduate Level

Cognitive psychology principles, interaction design patterns, and comprehensive evaluation techniques.

Rating: 4.9/5
180+ Students
Conceptual Understanding
95% Mastery

Student Impact & Success Metrics

500+
Students Mentored
Across all levels
96%
Course Completion Rate
Above institutional average
4.8/5
Average Teaching Rating
Student evaluations
85%
Graduate Employment
Within 6 months

Research Publications & Impact

Comprehensive portfolio of peer-reviewed publications spanning HCI, UX Design, Educational Technology, and AI

Featured Publications

Journal Articles

Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence Language Model ChatGPT on the User Experience
52 Citations

A Al-sa'di, D Miller. International Journal on Technology, Innovation, and Management (IJTIM), 3(1), 1-8. (2023)

Investigated UX implications of AI language models, highlighting design opportunities and challenges

AI/UX Language Models User Experience
Assessing Educators' Soft Skills: Developing a Self-Assessment Instrument
12 Citations

A Al-Sa'di, P Yamjal, E Ahmad, R Panjabi, CAM Allott McPhee, O Guler. Administrative Sciences, 13(9), 208. (2023)

Developed and validated a self-assessment instrument for educators' soft skills

Assessment Soft Skills Education
A Delphi Evaluation of User Interface Design Guidelines: The Case of Arabic
7 Citations

A Al-Sa'di, H Al-Samarraie. Advances in Human-Computer Interaction, 2022(1), 5492230. (2022)

Validated UI design guidelines for Arabic-speaking users using Delphi methodology

UI Guidelines Arabic Cross-Cultural

Conference Proceedings

User Experience for Online Course Strategies: EduFlex Framework
New 2024

A Al-Sa'di, Y Khrypko. 2024 9th International Conference on Business and Industrial Research (ICBIR). (2024)

Presented the EduFlex Framework for optimising user experience in online learning

EduFlex Online Learning UX Framework
Exploring the Programming Model, Security Vulnerabilities, and Usability of ESP8266 and ESP32 Platforms
11 Citations

N Litayem, A Al-Sa'di. 2023 IEEE 3rd International Conference on Computer Systems (ICCS). (2023)

Analysed programming models and security aspects of popular IoT development platforms

IoT Security Usability

Current Research Projects

Cutting-edge research initiatives addressing real-world challenges in technology, healthcare, education, and human-computer interaction

MindCare: Hybrid AI Mental Health Chatbot

Culturally sensitive AI-powered mental health chatbot specifically designed for refugee women using adaptive technologies.

Through human-centered design involving 23 refugee women and 2 mental health professionals from New Zealand, we developed features including voice-enabled interaction, multilingual support, validated assessment tools (PHQ-9/GAD-7), and crisis detection systems.

Impact
46% reduction in PHQ-9 scores
Innovation
Hybrid AI + Rule-based Logic

Privacy Management in the Age of AI

Balancing transparency, control, and simplicity in user-centred privacy design for AI-driven systems.

Mixed-methods approach with 45 participants to inform three prototype interfaces focusing on transparency, control, and simplicity. Findings show users prefer streamlined interfaces with pre-configured settings.

Method
Mixed-methods design

HCI and AI in Dementia Care

Systematic review of Human-Computer Interaction strategies and AI methods for improving dementia patient interfaces.

Analysis of 71 studies focusing on AI integration with HCI techniques to create adaptive, personalised environments for dementia patients. Deep Learning emerged as the primary AI support method.

Scope
71 studies analysed
Focus
Cognitive adaptation

Design Thinking Mindset in UX Practice

Measuring self-awareness and application of design thinking among UX practitioners in New Zealand.

Mixed-methods study with 26 UX practitioners identified 16 essential DT mindsets. While practitioners excel at problem-solving and prototyping, they face challenges in decision-making under uncertainty.

Participants
26 UX practitioners

Testimonials & Impact Stories

Voices from students, colleagues, and industry leaders highlighting transformational educational and research impact

Student Experiences

Sarah Mitchell
Master's in IT, WelTec

"Dr. Al-Sa'di's User-Centred Design course completely transformed my understanding of UX principles. His real-world examples from his research projects made complex HCI concepts accessible. The way he integrated AI considerations into traditional UCD methodologies was brilliant. His mentorship during my thesis was invaluable - he pushed me to think critically whilst providing the support I needed."

Marcus Thompson
Bachelor of IT, AUT

"Taking Dr. Al-Sa'di's IT Project Management course changed my career trajectory. His approach to teaching Agile methodologies was phenomenal - we worked on actual industry projects. He didn't just teach theory; he showed us how to apply these concepts in real scenarios. Now I'm leading digital transformation projects at my company, directly applying what I learnt."

Priya Sharma
Master's Graduate, ICL

"Dr. Al-Sa'di's research supervision is exceptional. His expertise in cross-cultural HCI design helped shape my research on inclusive technology design. He encouraged me to explore innovative methodologies and provided constructive feedback that elevated my research quality. His international perspective and collaborative approach made working with him truly inspiring."

Professional & Leadership Recognition

CAM Allott McPhee
Team Lead Teaching Innovation & Research, Te Pūkenga

"Dr. Al-Sa'di's leadership as Senior Research Advisor has been transformational for our institution. His strategic vision for the 2026 PBRF preparations and his ability to engage with diverse stakeholders has elevated our research profile significantly. His expertise in research management systems and policy development has streamlined our operations whilst maintaining the highest quality standards."

Dr. Elena Ahmad
Research Director, NZQRI

"Ahmed's role as Design & Innovation Lead at NZQRI has been pivotal in advancing our educational technology initiatives. His development of the EduFlex Framework demonstrates his ability to bridge academic research with practical industry applications. His expertise in AI applications in education and his commitment to ethical technology development align perfectly with our organisational values."

Industry Recognition

4.8/5
Student Satisfaction
Average rating across all courses
15+
Awards & Recognition
Teaching & Research Excellence
85%
Graduate Employment
Within 6 months

Connect & Collaborate

Let's discuss research opportunities, academic collaborations, or consulting projects

Research Collaboration

Interested in collaborative research in HCI, UX Design, Educational Technology, or AI applications? I'm always open to discussing innovative research opportunities with fellow academics and industry partners.

Consulting Services

Available for consulting on user experience design, educational technology integration, and AI applications in learning environments.

Contact Information

goalsadi@gmail.com
0407687781 (Australia)
0211286240 (New Zealand)