Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi

Dr. Tarifa Ajeif Alzaabi has held the position of Director General at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) since August 2022, becoming the first Emirati to assume this role since the Center’s establishment in 1999.

She joined ICBA in August 2019 as Deputy Director General, bringing with her over two decades of leadership, executive management, and research experience across higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates.

In her capacity as Director General, Dr. Alzaabi leads ICBA’s research-for-development initiatives, driving sustainable agricultural development and the transformation of food systems, particularly in environments affected by salinity and drought worldwide. Her efforts are dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing food security by empowering youth and women in the agricultural sector through training, capacity-building programs, support for entrepreneurship, and the development of innovative climate change adaptation solutions.

Throughout her tenure, Dr. Alzaabi has launched and overseen several strategic programs and initiatives focused on capacity development. Notable among these are the "ICBA YES: Youth Engagement Society" program; the "Women’s Alliance for Climate Action" (WACAA), which aims to engage one million women by 2050; and her contribution to the establishment of the "Arab Women Leaders in Agriculture Fellowship Program" (AWLA).

Dr. Alzaabi has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the "H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Small and Medium Enterprises – Businesswoman of the Year (2015)", and the Emirati Women Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in 2020. In 2025, Dr. Alzaabi was awarded the “Tabiat Himoyachisi” (Defender of Nature) Medal by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability, scientific collaboration, and the advancement of sustainable agriculture in dry and saline environments.

Dr. Alzaabi has represented the United Arab Emirates at numerous local, regional, and international conferences, and has contributed to a range of studies and academic publications focused on education, leadership, and development.

Academic Qualifications:

Dr. Alzaabi holds a Doctorate in Education from The British University in Dubai, where her research focused on educational leadership and institutional development. She also earned an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration with honors from the University of Sharjah, as well as a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Administration from the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates.

Additionally, she is a graduate of the UAE Government Leaders Program (Executive Leadership) and completed the Executive Education Program in Climate Change: Economics and Governance at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).