Rachad Zaki
Rachad is the Director of Cambridge Mathematics (CM) and the founder and head of AIMED, the CM research and innovation hub focussed on artificial intelligence (AI) and mathematics education. His work involves leading the CM team in research, content development, designing new products and forging new partnerships, all to support policymakers and educators in the UK and internationally.
Rachad started his mathematics career in Paris at Pierre and Marie Curie University, now part of Sorbonne University. He then moved to the UAE where he was a founding faculty member of the mathematics department at Khalifa University, then the Head of Mathematics at the Ministry of Education, and an advisor to the Minister of State for Public Education at the Emirates Schools Establishment. He joined Cambridge in 2022.
After teaching for several years in Paris, Rachad served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics and then Associate Professor of Practice at Khalifa University where he also contributed to the development of the mathematics curricula for several undergraduate and graduate courses and degrees. He was later the lead in the development of a new mathematics curriculum for the public school system in the UAE, the lead in the design and implementation of mathematics assessments for all grade levels, and was a key contributor to various education projects focused mainly on curriculum, assessment and teacher development.
In addition to supervising multiple research projects, Rachad has published journal papers, book chapters and thought leadership pieces in the fields of mathematics, education, STEM, digital technologies and AI, as well as policy and the future of learning. He has been the recipient of several research grants as well as awards in teaching, service and research. He has spoken at leading events around the world and is a member or fellow of a number of international societies and scientific organisations focused on mathematics, education, digital technologies and AI.
Academic qualifications:
PhD in Mathematics, Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris, France, 2007
MSc in Applied Mathematics, Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris, France, 2004
MA in Specialised Translation (English – French – Arabic), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland, 2009