José A. Zaglul was President of EARTH University since its inception in 1989 until his retirement in December 2016. EARTH is an international, private, not-for-profit institution in Costa Rica, dedicated to preparing leaders with ethical values to contribute to sustainable development and to construct a prosperous and just society. Dr. Zaglul has provided the vision and leadership for this innovative institution and its unique educational environment that encourages the development of responsible leadership based on values, social commitment, environmental consciousness, academic excellence and an entrepreneurial and enterprising spirit.

Dr. Zaglul was the former head of the Animal Production Department at the Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Training (CATIE) in Costa Rica, and served as professor and vice-rector of research and extension at the Costa Rican Institute of Technology (TEC). He was recently selected as President of the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agricultural and Life Sciences (GCHERA). Zaglul is a Trustee of the American University of Beirut and a member of the Ad Astra Rocket Company board of directors.

Dr. Zaglul holds a PhD in Animal Science from the University of Florida and two Master’s degrees in Food Science and Human Nutrition and Animal Science. He also holds honorary degrees from Chatham University, Cal Poly, CATIE (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigacion y Enseñanza) and the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Florida, as well as an award for his outstanding achievements from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the American University of Beirut.