Nabil Ayad is a professor at the University of East Anglia
London. He is the founder and director of the Diplomatic Academy of London,
which is composed of student diplomats from more than 84 countries. He is also
a Professor of Diplomatic Studies at Nyenrode Business University in the
Netherlands.
Ayad coined the term "virtual diplomacy" in 1986.
During that time period, he pioneered exploration of information technology's
impact on diplomacy. He has done extensive poineering work in the area of
diplomacy and through his vision, Diplomacy has become a discipline unto
itself, and London Diplomatic Academy has been recognised as the world leader
in the field.
In recognition of his contribution to world diplomacy and the
training of the new generation of diplomats in Central Asia, and the
development of education in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the government of
Uzbekistan conferred two honours on Dr. Ayad: an Honorary Doctorate of Science
by the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Foreign Ministry of
Uzbekistan, September 1999, and an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy by the
Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
He is currently a member of the International Institute for
Strategic Studies, the Royal Institute of International Affairs and an
Associate Member of the London Diplomatic Association.
Today London Academy of Diplomacy is regarded as the largest
institution of its type in the United Kingdom and indeed in the world.
Diplomats, other government officials and graduates from nearly 100 countries
have attended its Masters degrees and associated training programmes. In
addition, the Academy runs a host of projects and consultancies funded by
governments and organisations.
