Naser Faruqui

Naser Faruqui has over 25 years of experience in research for development, including more than a decade in senior executive leadership roles. He leads programs that help emerging economies harness science and technology to improve education, strengthen innovation systems and support inclusive growth — spanning education systems in up to 90 countries, science and innovation systems in Africa, and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) for development in Africa and Asia. His areas of expertise include education, AI for development, science and innovation policy, research excellence, gender equality and inclusion, the future of work, open science, urban poverty, the environment and water management. Naser has a strong track record of building and managing large-scale research partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donors and private foundations to scale development impact. He is the chief architect of IDRC’s Open Access and Open Research Data Policies and chairs IDRC’s Open Science Working Group. Naser holds an Executive MBA from Queen’s University, a master’s in environmental engineering from the University of Ottawa, a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of Manitoba and a professional executive coach certification. He has published widely, including recent work on science, innovation and AI, and was recognized early in his career as a top global water specialist under 40 by the International Water Resources Association.