Dr. Ghassan Fouad Aouad Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Ali Odhabi Dr. Sherine Farouk Mr. Bassam Murra Ms. Noor Almasri Mr. Ibrahim Louka Ms. Allison Hamilton Dr. Heather Friesen Mr. Stephen Dcunha Ms. Merlyn Kulapurath

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) excels in promoting dynamic international programs. A key recent innovation at ADU is a centralized International Office under an Associate Provost for managing all international exchange programs. We now boast over 100 active MOUs with top universities worldwide. Our students come from 93 countries, and our faculty hail from nearly 40 nations, making cross-cultural interaction a baked-in part of everyday life. Our Global Engagement Platform connects our faculty with over 1,600 scholars from 90 countries, while our innovative Global Brown Bag Seminar Series hosts thousands of professors from around the world at 24 international seminars annually. Our international accreditations include AACSB, WASC, EQUIS, RIBA, ABET, and APHEA. We collaborate with the UN and other global bodies in staging international conferences and exchange opportunities. Despite our small size, no wonder THE ranks ADU 10th globally in international outlook.

Prof. Sari Hamdan - President Prof. Anas Ratib ALSoud - Vice President Dr. Fayrouz Abou Sweilem - Head of International Programs and Partnerships Miss. Reem Abed - Head of Outreach and Reputation Miss. Eman AlTally - Head of International Research Projects Mr. Anoop Abraham - Head of Accreditations and Rankings

AAU International strategy aims to enhance reputation, branding, and attract faculty and students, beside achieving vision of unlimited expansion. The Global Engagement Centre was established to lead by engaging all stakeholders and partners to create new opportunities focusing on promoting global culture, enlarging collaborations, meeting partner needs, and building international profile. The new applied strategy is based on campus’s Internationalization; integrated and accountability; and continual improvement to achieve creative goals. Furthermore, the structure was developed, and experts were employed. AAU has accomplished many outstanding achievements: international students, partners’ satisfaction, agreements, research, ranking, and quality certificates. Many initiatives and projects were execution: Enhancing website, issuing magazine, establishing new academic programs, and continual branding marketing campaign. Sustainability plans aim to invest in unique regional Research Hub, shifting to be more digitalized and expanding e-learning programs, spreading global core values, presenting AAU as an attractive environment, and preparing students to become global citizens.

Alamein International University (AIU) is one of new fourth-generation universities established 2020 in Egypt. At AIU, internationalization and global engagement is one of our five main strategic pillars. We have planned and developed international collaborations of different innovative models in three directions: developing joint/dual degrees with International Universities, establishing student exchange/internship programs, and engaging international faculty in the teaching and supervising summer training activities of AIU academic programs. Despite being a young university, we have established more than 10 international collaboration programs with number of international institutions in Europe and US. One of the successful collaborations is the dual degree collaboration with University of Louisville that offer international academic programs at affordable tuition fees. We have expanded the benefits beyond AIU students by extending the opportunity to students of 5 mega universities located at different geographic locations inside Egypt.

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Led by the senior management and the IAB (International Advisory Board) the international strategy of KFUPM reaffirmed its distinguished international recognition. This can be seen from the global recognition KFUPM gained recently, being ranked 4th in Petroleum Engineering in QS subject ranking, and all its Engineering Subjects ranked within the top 60. The main objective of the strategy is to adapt to changes and challenges in this evolving era in academia. KFUPM has evolved to an elite international university. A diverse student community and multi-nation faculty (currently from over 58 countries) are the pillars of KFUPM’s international strategy. Directed customized search for Distinguished faculty, Star Faculty, Postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate/graduate students, all customized to enhance and diversify the HR profile of the university, is a part of the mission. Along with partnerships with multinational companies, and research consortia, bridges are being built in the evolution process to internationalization.

Center for Innovative Learning -- Virtual Exchange Initiatives

With the economic crisis in Lebanon, the Lebanese American University’s Center for Innovative Learning began promoting virtual exchange to access the wider world without the expense of travel. In response, a Data-Driven Design Thinking Course partnered with a Design Thinking course at Boise State University (BSU) in Idaho, USA; a Technology, Ethics and Global Society course partnered with a Philosophical Thought Course at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco; and multiple pre-clinical medical students engaged with students around the world through a program managed by Soliya. In the words of one student at LAU, the experience “…proved to me that no matter how different you are from someone else, there are always similarities and things you can bond with. On the other hand, it taught me that I needed to work a bit on other communication skills such as active listening, being more accepting, and not jumping to conclusions".

Dr. Tarek Merabtene, Director of the Office of International Relations; Prof. Abdelaziz Soufyane, Deputy Director of the Office of International Relations; Prof. Hamid Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah

The University of Sharjah (UOS) was established in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, and Ruler of Sharjah, as a global university with routed Arabic and Islamic culture. The UOS is home to faculty members and students from over 100 nationalities. To consolidate global efforts and create distinctive engagement with international partners, the UOS created the Office of International Relations (OIR) with the vision to recognize the UOS as the most attractive academic destination in the UAE and the MENA region for talented students and renowned scholars from around the globe for years to come. By 2022 and as a result of its focused internationalization, the UOS has authored 7215 publications in partnership with 3,595 Institutions from around the globe. UOS was ranked by THE WUR 5th globally in International Outlook pillar, 69th in Citation pillar and the 1st in UAE.

The Leadership Team of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

KFUPM’s senior management team believes the genuine purpose of the transformation is to advance knowledge for the benefit of society. We take pride in Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and encourage a global perspective in all university programs. At KFUPM, our team has a clear vision of the university’s role as a leader in innovation, pioneering research, and outstanding education to prepare students for a competitive global market. The goal is for KFUPM’s community to remain committed to addressing 21st-century challenges, such as having deep expertise in Artificial Intelligence and digital technology advancements, sustainability, and women empowerment. The implementation phase has already proven successful with various projects such as the KFUPM consortium for a sustainable future, Women in Data Science Dhahran team, Artificial Intelligence Joint Research Centre, and 1-year professional Master’s program (MX).

Family-friendly work practices in Lebanon fall short of international and even regional standards, particularly in the provision of parental leave and childcare. A pioneer in higher education for women in the Middle East, the Lebanese American University launched a campaign for the revision of the parental leave legislation at the national level in the public and private sectors. It became the first organization in the country to extend maternal leave and institute paternal leave. As part of a project titled “Equality for Everyone: Gender Reform from Grassroots to Government,” the initiative aimed to promote progressive policies among Lebanese working parents as an entry point toward achieving gender-equal work environments — hiring and access to benefits, as well as equal pay, among others — thereby strengthening the labor market. The university collaborated with the National Commission for Lebanese Women in drafting the law and submitting it to parliament.

Dr Ali Saud Al Bimani, Vice-Chancellor Dr Salim Al Araimi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost Prof M P Nair, Chief Finance Officer & Executive Advisor Mr A Nizamuddin Ahmed, Assistant Vice-Chancellor

Establishing the National University of Science and Technology (NU) has been exciting. From the humble beginning in 1996, with the dedication of faculty and staff across the campuses, constant support of the government and growing regional visibility, NU’s role and contribution to the country's development since 2018 have become significant. With more than 14700 graduates in Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy and Marine Studies, the NU has become a rising star in this country and the region. NU is unique in its form and content, being a multi-campus and multi-faculty initiative. The University’s vision is to become a renowned institute for excellence in education & research driven by social values. Our international academic partners, Glasgow Caledonian University (UK); University of South Carolina (USA) and West Virginia University (USA), together with our eminent Board of Trustees, are committed to making NU a distinguished place for learning.

QU president Dr. Hassan Al Derham, the Chief Strategy and Development officer, Dr. Khaled Al-Khanji and the institutional research and effectiveness department represented by Dr. Moumen Hasnah and Dr. Emna Belkhiria

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated and intensified the changes taking place in higher education, causing significant disruptions in the provision of higher education across various systems and institutions. Qatar University (QU), the largest national comprehensive university in Qatar, took prompt action to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning while maintaining its role as a national institution aligned with the country's needs. With a transformative strategy in place, QU adopted an institutional agile execution approach, allowing for flexible and adaptive responses to changes and incremental value delivery. Despite the complex governance structure and diverse population comprising students, faculty, and staff from over 70 nationalities, QU's mission, vision, and strategic approach led to notable achievements, such as obtaining institutional accreditation from WSCUC, Senior College and University Commission, and improving its international ranking. During the disruptions, QU actively pursued institutional accreditation, involving the entire community and fostering cross-functional teamwork and communication.

The Project Management Office at the University of Tunis El Manar: Mrs Halima Mahjoubi Mrs Nesrine Zoghlami Mrs Hanene Boussi Mrs Lobna Zakraoui Mrs Leila Battikh Mrs Monia Najjar Mr Moez Chafra Mr Khalifa Harbaoui

The University of Tunis El Manar's Project Management Office (UTM-PMO) has been highly successful in helping staff and researchers to secure funding, usually through highly competitive bidding processes. Established in 2019, the UTM-PMO plays a crucial role in identifying funding opportunities, managing applications, establishing international partnerships, providing proposal support, and ensuring compliance. The UTM-PMO actively monitors international agencies, foundations, and national sources to find relevant funding opportunities. It facilitates collaborations with other research institutions, enhancing project competitiveness. The PMO offers vital assistance in proposal writing, emphasising strengths and coordinating contributions. During the evaluation period of 2020-2022, the UTM-PMO achieved a 58% success rate, securing $4,000,000 for 25 large-scale research projects. Funding came from various programs, including the European Union and other research excellence initiatives. In summary, the UTM-PMO significantly contributes to the university's research competitiveness by acquiring competitive funding. Its support throughout the application process strengthens academic and research excellence.

Zewail City's Research Office

Research Office provides the necessary administrative infrastructure for Principle Investigators, Researchers and Faculty, and strongly encourages the involvement of students in research. We are committed to sustaining an excellent research program and research environment that contributes to the well-being of our local, national and global communities. We assist with and oversee various integrated aspects of the research , including: faculty development and training, research development, grants and contracts, regulatory compliance, performance indicators and management of research output.

Dr Fazal Malik Ms Vidya Mohan Mr Abraham Sameul

A living lab that demonstrates how biodiversity is possible in the heart of Dubai. Without using any complex technology, the project with tangible outcomes for a sustainable lifestyle, BK Living Lab is fully aligned with the UNSDG’s and UAE’s sustainability agenda. It is a house built with recycled materials which do not use conventional sources of energy and grows its own organic food. The project located in Dubai's sustainable City is providing rich information on biodiversity and alternative use of energy for Ph.D. scholars, Master's students, and a lot of living experiences to the young scholars from local schools and communities in Dubai.

Faculty in the environmental engineering program at the Lebanese American University (LAU) built a state-of-the-art environmental research program to tackle local and international environmental challenges. The program was built in the midst of the most severe economic, financial and social country collapse since the mid-nineteenth century. The faculty secured very prestigious and competitive research grants focused on addressing the most pressing environmental challenges in Lebanon. They signed an agreement with the largest water stakeholder in Lebanon to facilitate the execution of the research program and to implement the results once the research is completed. In 2022, the work culminated in multiple milestone achievements including, graduation of eight master students, publication of nine journal articles, sending students to a prestigious scientific conference, and organizing workshops to share and implement the research findings. The success of the program motivated the university to establish an environmental research center focused on emerging contaminants.

Andrew Mackenzie (MBA, SFHEA) Senior Lecturer, Business School Head of Institute of Sustainable Development

Middlesex University's Institute of Sustainable Development (ISD), through its international collaboration with sustainability partner, DHL, has demonstrated environmental leadership through community outreach initiatives throughout the MEA region. The ISD developed and delivered the Sustainability Leadership & Mindset program SALAM, an award-winning ESG Leadership Development program of DHL Global Forwarding in MEA. The ongoing innovative training incorporates Design Thinking, Sustainability Reporting principles, Shared Value approaches to CSR, understanding of UNSDGs, and awareness of social and sustainability challenges in LDCs. This has led to various socially impactful initiatives, including but not limited to a plastic Pollution-Reduction initiative in Nigeria, an educational-driven Zero Hunger initiative in Madagascar, enhancement of Female Education in Zimbabwe, an initiative for Employment Enablement of Differently-abled people in Ethiopia & the UAE. Middlesex University's involvement in the SALAM program supports DHL's efforts across UN SDGs while making a positive impact on the community.

Nermine Abdel Gelil Mohamed, Ph.D Associate Professor Department of Architectural Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, MSA University, Egypt

The Eco-fordable House (EH) project headed by Dr. Nermine Abdel Gelil, an experimental residential unit fully constructed at the MSA campus (Egypt), in line with the UN goals, particularly SDG11, diminished the gap between students’ academic and practical experiences in architectural education. Saving more than 70% of total quantities of cement, steel, and fired bricks, when compared to conventional materials and technologies, and significantly resisting outdoor climatic fluctuations, the alternative solutions contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy consumption in the building and construction sector. Moreover, the construction cost of alternative technologies combined saves 40-48% in construction costs while the whole house saves 25%. Our participation in COP27 in November 2022 resulted in signing of a protocol of cooperation between MSA University and the New Valley Governorate in Egypt (December 2022) to implement a rural house prototype in El Kharga Oasis. Construction activities already started in January 2023.

AUC the Office of Sustainability • Yasmin Mansour, Sustainability Director - E-mail: y.mansour@aucegypt • Sahar El-Ghandour, Sustainability Manager - E-mail: sgh@aucegypt

AUC is Egypt’s world-class university that spearheads sustainability initiatives amongst local and regional higher education institutions. AUC values align with the sustainability triple bottom line concept; AUC is committed to exploring the challenges that confront Egypt, the region, and the world and to use its intellectual and creative capabilities to address these challenges, serve the communities, and have a positive yet a sustainable impact on development, business, society, and the environment. AUC's Climate Change Initiative was established in response to worldwide climate change challenges and the active role academic and research institutions must play in understanding and addressing them. This initiative includes research, student activities, teaching, learning, and outreach activities. It draws on AUC’s extensive international network and rests on the academic and research expertise of the University’s departments and research centers. The initiative’s focus areas are aligned with national and regional climate change and sustainability priorities.

Dr. Sarah El Khishin

The British University in Egypt organised the global youth-led “COP27 Simulation Model” in partnership with the UNDP, Ministries of Youth and Sports and Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Professor Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN High-Level Champion for Climate Change. Main objectives were promoting youth dialogue and awareness on international climate action, upskilling youth in diplomacy and conflict resolution, and supporting Egypt’s Presidency of COP27 where the model was presented. The Model, which BUE will implement annually with the UNDP, included a comprehensive capacity building programme for 130 participants from 25 countries, 34 international universities and 21 Egyptian universities followed by a three-day mock conference simulating COP plenary and technical discussions. Resolutions were published in the COP27Simulation Declaration. Main articles were on mitigating carbon practices and investment in green energy, creation of a fund to mobilise needs-based finance, and recommendations on establishment of a loss and damage fund.

Dr. Yasmine Jabali, The Faculty of Engineering, and the UOB-LEWAP Student Chapter.

The 1 MAP initiative, launched by the University of Balamand in collaboration with the UOB-LEWAP student Chapter, educates university students to deliver guest lectures on water-related issues in schools, encouraging children to share their ideas on postcards. The initiative resulted in 50 guest lectures to 3,000 students across 16 schools and universities in Lebanon and collected 3,000 postcards filled with insightful challenges, deep reflections, and bold actions. After successful implementation nationally, it was promoted globally at UN2023, the New York Water Week, and adopted by the Wavemakers United Foundation. Together with Wavemakers United, we made a commitment to the Water Action Agenda to educate one million young people annually until 2030 on water-related issues. Our goal with 1 MAP is to create global partnerships, business opportunities, and a youth network, promoting knowledge-sharing and enabling positive actions to be replicated across regions, making a significant impact.

The University of Dubai is committed to sustainability, as evidenced by its smart and green building and recent recognition as a LEED Net-Zero Energy Campus. The university's solar farm generates enough electricity to meet its energy needs and feed surplus electricity to the grid, achieving a zero-carbon footprint. The project was a significant investment but will pay for itself through reduced electricity bills by 2025. The university integrates sustainability into its curriculum and research initiatives, such as the Scenario Lab, which studies the effects of climate change and develops mitigation strategies. UD's efforts in sustainability align with Dubai's vision to generate 75% of its energy from clean sources by 2050 and aims to have all buildings operating as zero-energy structures by 2030.

Prof. Sari Hamdan - President Prof. Anas Ratib ALSoud - Vice President Prof. Mohamed El-Tanani - AAU-HSC Manager Dr. Fadi Al Swaiti – Project Manager Mrs. Laila Qanawati- Speech and language pathologist Mrs. Rama Alasir- Audiologist

AAU Center for Hearing and Speech AAU-HSC was established to be a spark of hope to return numerous patients to normal life by serving the community with full scope of distinguished rehabilitative services related to communication disorders free of charge, as part of the broader University’s social responsibility initiatives and programs. The services are provided by highly qualified experts and specialists using the latest advanced equipment and are periodically improved in line with best practices. The Center offers screening and awareness programs about early intervention in factories, schools, and Syrian camps targeting refugees. It treated a massive number of cases including those with special needs, trained students and established a new master’s degree program. Sustainability plans aim to expand services, raising awareness through courses and campaigns addressed to different stakeholders and decision makers, Finally the center plans to draw financial support to open other branches in poor areas.

Liria Gjidija, Director, Global Outreach and Programs Department of Global Education, NYU Abu Dhabi Aasna Sijapati, Assistant Instructor, Office of Social Responsibility, NYU Abu Dhabi

OSR offers a comprehensive program of educational opportunities that meet the expressed educational and social needs of over 750 contracted workers working on the NYUAD project and domestic workers employed by our NYUAD community members. Over the last 11 years, OSR has expanded our adult education offerings to a full-scale, comprehensive program that offers 13 certificate courses in an array of subjects, including English and Arabic instruction, computer and financial literacy, public speaking, and professional development and has served 5,500 contracted and domestic workers. OSR has also collaborated with Re:Set, a leading platform for mental health, well-being, growth, and inclusion, to provide weekly mental health and preventative health resources in the eight top-most spoken languages for its domestic workers and contracted staff. This is the first of its kind adult education program in the MENA region and serves as an educational model for organizations in the UAE.

Said Abd Elmoniem Mabrouk, Ph.D. Lecturer Department of Electronics and Communication System Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, MSA University

This project was conducted through 4 years of research and development by the MSA Center of Excellence to implement many Egyptian-made IOT products in the field of Agriculture, Irrigation, Aviation and Environment. The presented System is the design and implementation of smart rain precipitation monitoring station used for real time data logging of the rainfall quantity; these data are sent from multi nodes in different locations through GPRS using 3G network to remote server to be analyzed, represented, and processed. This Developed Environmental Mentoring Stations project was presented in COP27 in November 2022, which resulted in signing a contract with the National Water Research Center to deliver Five rain monitoring stations to be installed in different governorates in Egypt. Through technology localization, the product saves more than 40 % of foreign product cost and contributes to the development and transfer of the Environmental Monitoring Stations Technology.

Prof. Hussein Shannak, Acting President Prof. Saed Mallak, President Assistant for Governance Dr. Eman Daraghmeh Dr. Yousef Daraghmeh Dr. Jafar Wafi Abu Saa

Edu4ALL project at PTUK aims to promote the inclusion of SwD in higher education through the theme of "Disability as Diversity." The project was granted funding by Erasmus+ and seeks to establish an "Inclusive Education Unit" that follows international standards for equality in education, activities, and services for students with disabilities. The unit aims to empower students with disabilities academically, socially, and psychologically through four goals: reach, development, equity & quality, and sustainability. The Edu4ALL unit was established in 2022 under the Students Affairs Deanship, with a professional disability advisor, faculty and staff members representing various university components, a committee of practice responsible for defining specific needs for SwD, and a group of student volunteers from various faculties and disciplines. The unit also includes a modernized lab equipped with assistive technologies.

Saudi Electronic University

The Saudi Electronic University (SEU) was established in 2011 as a Saudi government university located in Riyadh with 13 branches over Saudi Arabia. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in business, computer science, health sciences, law, and English language translation program. The university also offers language training courses to help students improve their English proficiency. The University aims at providing high-quality online education to students in Saudi Arabia and around the world. SEU’s programs are delivered entirely online, it has adopted a flexible model of blended learning that meets the needs of learners, supports self and collaborative learning. The blended learning model at SEU achieves the ideal balance between face-to-face and e-learning activities to provide students with a diverse learning experience. Overall, SEU provides a flexible and convenient way to access course materials, allowing students to study at their own pace from anywhere in the world.

● President of the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University : Pr Mustapha IJJAALI * Program Director: Mohamed Bouzlafa, Dean of the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences ● President of the Foundation: Yossef Ben-Meir, High Atlas Foundation ● Program Manager: Bouhlala Safae, High Atlas Foundation

The Legal Clinic seeks to meet the critical needs among underserved populations in the Fez region for access to pro bono legal aid, reliable information, and a means to engage civically. Using the service learning model, 150+ law students in Fez act as conduits for legal counsel, awareness-raising, and advocacy. It engages stakeholders, including 15 local associations, and benefits 1000 marginalized people in rural and semi-urban communities in the Fez region. The project includes focus groups with female clients based on the team’s experience with having conducted Imagine women’s empowerment workshops at most of the target sites. The clinic is analyzing data collected among all extension sites for trends regarding legal needs and barriers, to present a report with recommendations for further action to local associations and officials, works with these stakeholders to plan interventions prioritized by the people, and draft policy reform recommendations for publication in national &international media.

Dr. Amr Seda

The British University in Egypt is a renowned higher education entity that aims to enhance its academic impact, community services and lifelong learning, and strengthen its investment in development to positively contribute to the achievement Egypt Vision 2030 and the SDGs. To achieve this, the University has conducted a cooperative protocol with Haya Karima Foundation where multiple convoys that included several University’s participants were organised in 2022 to provide medical and dental services, as well as developing public awareness, and providing psychiatric and capacity building services. The total number of individuals offered services by the convoys mentioned was 2543. This is an ongoing partnership between both entities that includes monthly convoys and multiple initiatives that promotes a “Decent Life” to all Egyptians.

Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) – University of Balamand (UOB) - School of Architecture

In the aftermath of Beirut Port explosion, architecture students at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) – University of Balamand joined the Tactical Urbanism Studio with the aim of contributing to the city recovery. The situation on the ground was extremely challenging as the healing process was compromised by the inability of the decimated neighborhoods to retrieve their former urban life. Clock was ticking. In response, the studio launched fast-track, small-scale, low-cost and short-term acupuncture projects in the city. These attributes form the pillars of tactical urbanism. Tactical urbanism shines in times of crisis as it has the power to reactivate street life with feasible community-driven actions. The students’ projects were located in key public spaces along the main street. They establish a new placemaking infrastructure that brings life, joy, art, and trade back to the streets, therefore generating a people-centric approach to city planning that Beirut craves for.

Dr. Ghassan Fouad Aouad Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Ali Odhabi Dr. Chakib Farhat Dr. Heather Friesen Mr. Stephen Dcunha Ms. Merlyn Kulapurath

Abu Dhabi University has taken a proactive approach to promoting employability among its students, which has paid off with recognition as the top university in the UAE for employability by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022. To achieve this, ADU has developed an innovative approach called Curriculum++, which embeds an employability framework within the curriculum, provides co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities, and uses platforms to manage attribute tagging and tracking of activities. The university uses analytics and machine learning techniques to gain insights into the employability journey of students and identify areas for improvement. ADU collects data on employability from internships, embedded assessments in programs, and dedicated workshops offered by the Student Affairs department. The use of multiple data collection sources allows the university to gain a comprehensive understanding of employability and make data-driven decisions to ensure that its graduates are well-prepared for success in the workforce.

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Fakhry Al-Ajlouni Prof. Haitham Al-Shibly Prof. Aws Al-Qaisi Dr Aiman Al Alwin Dr. Hazem Hasan Rola Al Taleb

Al-Balqa Applied University provides applied education to address poverty and unemployment by establishing scientific centers that serve as incubators for innovators. One of these centers is the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Center (ICEC), which offers resources and support to launch new ideas, products, and businesses across all campuses. ICEC provides education and training courses, workshops, and seminars focusing on practical skills like business planning, marketing, programming, and designing for over 2,000 students in the last year. ICEC also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and networking among students, researchers, and industry experts, with partnerships established with private companies and industries. ICEC also hosts conferences such as the "From Venus to Universe" Conference and advocates for the empowerment of people with disabilities through the Nabad Club. ICEC's success has led to its selection to host the 4th edition of the annual competition for firefighting robots in August 2023, with five participating universities.

President Fadlo R. Khuri Office of Advancement Office of Communications Office of Financial Aid Office of Student Affairs

The collapse of Lebanon has caused enormous hardship for many students at the American University of Beirut (AUB). To ease the impact on our students AUB accepted payment for tuition at the LBP 3,900 rate for the 2021-22 academic year – even though the exchange rate was at LBP 20,000, and often much higher, for much of this time. Tuition income declined from $60 million to $6 million per academic term in just two years. In May 2022, AUB announced that it would begin collecting tuition in US dollars beginning in fall 2022. It also launched a comprehensive strategy including dramatically increased financial assistance (more than $110 million in fiscal year 2023), emotional and psychological support for students, regular internal and external communications, and a series of targeted fundraising appeals, to support our students – and to ensure that no student would be forced to drop out for financial reasons.

Dr. Fazal Malik Ms. Shruti Chatterji Ms. Amna Chaudhry

An innovative project aimed at increasing student engagement in accessing support services, especially Counseling and Wellness Centre to address social, emotional, and cognitive challenges student face. The Counseling and Wellness Centre in association with the Interior Design Department asked students to come up with creative projects to re-design the counseling and wellness center to make it a welcome space that students can own and feel comfortable in. The project funded by the university brought amazing transformation to the counseling and wellness centre making it a hub for meditation, relaxation, art, origami, and sustainability. As a living project, the space designed by the students, the counseling and Wellness Centre has seen an increase in students accessing the services and walking in just to calm their nerves and rejuvenate.

Ibrahim Elsayed- Director of Quality Assurance & Institutional Effectiveness Prof. Sherief Khalifa- Vice Chancellor for Quality Assurance & Institutional Effectiveness Asma Fatima Syeda- Associate Director of Quality Assurance & Institutional Effectiveness Cristeta Contaoi- Institutional Research Specialist Yasmeen Albanna- Institutional Research Officer Sara Osman- Manager Program Evaluation and Accreditation Lubna Abdel Jawad- Coordinator Program Evaluation and Accreditation

Gulf Medical University has implemented a comprehensive platform to support its diverse student body, consisting of 2,261 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 80 countries, with 72% being female. The platform includes a digital system for student e-portfolios and a mentorship program. Students can showcase their work in e-portfolios and receive personalized feedback from mentors, encouraging self-reflection and goal-setting. The mentorship system integrates with the e-portfolio, enabling mentors to provide feedback and track academic progress. Regular mentor-mentee meetings are conducted, with additional meetings for at-risk students. The program is supported by a user-friendly digital platform that grants mentors easy access to information. Surveys and data analytics are used to monitor the platform's impact, with high student satisfaction reported. Mentors appreciate the platform's effectiveness and ease of navigation. The program has led to improved academic performance, engagement, and mentor-mentee interactions. Future plans involve integrating the platform with the university's student management system.

KFU president KFU Promoting Team Deanship of Development and Quality assurance

One of KFU's strategic projects is to enhance the competitiveness of university graduates. To implement the project DDQA planned an initiative that includes a set of "professional qualifying training programs" in 2019. The project seeks to support the development process, enable KFU students to obtain accredited professional certificates in several professional fields, increase job chances for KFU students in the labor market and supply the Saudi labor market with a qualified workforce. The 3-track (Student Professional Development Program) was launched in two editions with 5 colleges involved and 1218 beneficiaries completed the training in addition to around 1206 training hours presented by 112 trainers. Inclusion and diversity applied to both students and the trainers' team. As a result of the excellent reputation and success of the initiative, the Ministry of Education circularized it to all Saudi universities. The trigger started from here, DDQA, KFU.

Jessica Bowers Chukwu, Sara Hassan and Muna Al Shanqiti

The Student Success team at NYU Abu Dhabi’s group coaching model stands out for its agility and responsiveness for diverse student needs, as illustrated through the Najahi “My Success” Lab. The Najahi Lab was designed for (and with) domestic students at NYUAD. Participants engage in weekly sessions to expand their own knowledge base about how to navigate university, develop a sense of community through their shared experiences, and to provide feedback to shape the future of the student success support. Topics covered include university level study skill techniques, how to engage with faculty, and strategies for overcoming procrastination. Key outcomes of the first cohort include strong attendance and engagement, ability to identify specific situations of over-, under-, and optimal use of their own strengths in academic and personal life, and increased frequency of using faculty office hours.

Dr. Hossein Navidinia, Director of the International Scientific Collaboration Office, University of Birjand

Having suffered from years of war, Afghan students are in need of different kinds of support to be able to continue their tertiary education. Being very close to the border of Afghanistan and considering the same language spoken in Iran and Afghanistan, the University of Birjand has the privilege to provide opportunities for Afghan students to continue their studies. The university tried to facilitate the submission process and provide almost similar conditions for Afghan Students to continue their studies at the University like Iranians. Excellent counseling opportunities were provided for the students. We have had hours and hours of talking with the students and listening to their stories. More than 586 students were recruited at the university and were helped to revive their dreams.

Dr. Ghassan Fouad Aouad Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Ali Odhabi Dr. Sreethi Nair Dr. Barry O Mahony Dr. Philip Anthony Hamill Dr. Heather Friesen Mr. Stephen Dcunha Ms. Merlyn Kulapurath

Abu Dhabi University's College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business are committed to research that positively impacts business and society. Two students enrolled in the Doctor of Business Administration, Ms. Read Al Muhairi and Ms. Aisha Al Ali, conducted research to improve workplace productivity and enhance employee wellbeing. Their study found that encouraging workplace engagement can reduce presenteeism in public sector organizations in the UAE. Supervisor support can also dramatically influence work performance and employee well-being. The study recommends that organizations establish mentorship programs, provide career advice, and develop practical plans to enhance productivity and reduce presenteeism. The research was presented at the 3rd Forum for Women in Research, where the students won first prize in the Humanities and Social Sciences category. The study contributes to the field of organizational behavior and provides practical insights to enhance work performance and promote a positive workplace culture.

Dr. Jillian Campana and Dr. Dina Amin

Msh Zanbik, (It’s Not Your Fault) was a collaborative research project which resulted in the creation of a series of original plays about sexual harassment and assault in Egypt in order to educate and understand the issue of sexual harassment from the perspective of Egyptian university students. The goal was to change behavior, curb incidents of harassment and encourage reporting. The principal investigators, Drs. Campana and Amin, worked with American University in Cairo students and alumni to create, perform and publish the plays, which along with research commentary and resources, were published by AUC Press. The project, following the ethnographic Participatory Action Research model, relied on playwriting as the means of collecting and analyzing data and sharing the results of the study and sought to break the taboo around the subject.

Dr. Mowafa Househ, an award-winning researcher and innovator, leads a novel project known as ESRA (Emotion Sensing Recognition App). This cutting-edge initiative utilizes AI to analyze children's art, offering a unique method for assessing emotional health during and post-COVID-19. ESRA, the first AI-based mobile app of its kind, identifies emotional signals in drawings, providing valuable insights for parents, teachers, and mental health professionals. Developed in Qatar but with global potential, ESRA addresses the rising mental health crisis, particularly in regions with limited access to mental health services. This project underscores Dr. Househ's commitment to using technology for public health enhancement.

ESRA, an AI tool developed to interpret children's emotions through their artwork, addresses the need for accessible mental health resources. A collaborative endeavor by AI specialists, art therapists, and tech company AppLab, ESRA effectively identifies emotional states with 82% accuracy, fostering emotional literacy, enhancing parent-child dialogue, and providing invaluable data for mental health professionals. The United Nations AI4Dev Challenge victory has propelled ESRA's visibility, leading to collaborations with organizations such as Qatar Foundation and Art Therapy Associations in the UK and Canada. The project's recognition is also reflected in accolades such as the 2022 Innovation Grant from Hamad Bin Khalifa University and its feature on platforms like Qatar TV. ESRA's potential to revolutionize emotional well-being through art holds promise for fostering an emotionally healthier society in the future.

Dr. Sameer Kishore (PhD, FHEA) Senior Lecturer Computer Engineering and Informatics Campus Programme Coordinator MSc Robotics

Evidence suggests that expectations and implicit biases influence students' perceptions of instructors, impacting learning and motivation. However, there is limited research on such biases in underrepresented samples like South Asia and the Middle East. This multidisciplinary research project developed a platform to observe biases and preferences in student evaluations of instructors based on race and gender. Photorealistic 3D avatars delivered teaching material, providing a high level of control over the instructor's appearance. Ratings across several variables were observed, including personality and perceived knowledge. Differences emerged in interpersonal variables (approachability, sensitivity, and respect) and not in knowledge and presentation skills. The project has been positively received at conferences, providing new information on a relevant topic. The experimental design using avatars is novel and highlights discrepancies in an online setting. The platform can be customised to study other variables that might influence instructors' perceptions, including age and educational qualifications.

Wifag Adnan, Assistant Professor of Economics, Social Science Division

Internal and international migration are known to reduce inequality, alleviate poverty in migrant-sending regions, and boost growth in migrant-receiving regions. However, many citizens of rich countries have raised concerns that open border policies reduce social cohesion and increase criminal activity. Thus, there is pressure for stricter vetting of immigrants and more stringent border policies. Yet, as border restrictions tighten, this favors the rise of intermediaries, who illicitly sell documentation—such as visas and work permits—to (poor) migrant workers. This implies that strict border controls may lead to a rise in criminal activity through increased interactions with intermediaries, and also reduce workers’ take-home pay. Against this background, our project uncovers how the benefits of migration for workers, employers, and intermediaries, were affected by the move from an open to a stringent border policy regime. We show that following strict border regulations, workers experienced massive losses while employers and intermediaries benefited.

1- Professor Ahmed Khalifa, College of Business and Economics, Qatar University 2- Dr. Mustafa Afacan. College of Business and Economics, Qatar University The team are working on a series of prestigious awarded national projects funded by from Qatar national Research fund. They are using economic theory, algorithm and technology to solve complicated issues at national and international levels.

Climate change is an existential threat to current and future generations and as economists who are passionate about nature and sustainability, we realized that taking a comprehensive approach was crucial to making a real impact in combating climate change. This motivated us to embark on a journey to study the public policy measures for energy conservation and climate change, through a variety of lenses, including behavioral, experimental, and quantitative analysis. We combined economic theory, behavioral intervention, market design, and technology for a proposed carbon auction pricing platform. The proposed centralized auction and the algorithm calculate the allocation of carbon permits by soliciting bids from each firm, resulting in a simple, transparent, and efficient process. Our proposed solutions were featured as a policy brief on United Nations, May 2023. You can find it through the following steps in searching; 1- https://sdgs.un.org/tfm/STIForum2023. 2- Click (SCIENCE-POLICY BRIEFS), 3- cCick (Ahmed Ali Khalifa)

Abdoulaye Diop,Šemsia Jatić, John Lee Holmes, Kien Le Trung, Engi El Maghraby and Maitha Al Naimi

In the study, we try to fill this knowledge gap by examining the factors that influence both Qatari nationals and expatriates' interest in volunteering for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The study examined numerous factors that influence Qataris’ and expatriates' interest in volunteering by drawing on two waves of nationally representative surveys from Qatar. The study found that, in general, prior volunteering experiences, interest in football, and favorable attitudes toward Qatar hosting the games had the strongest effects on the respondents' interest in volunteering for the FIFA World Cup that was held in Qatar after controlling for a wide range of demographic factors. The study offers a non-Western viewpoint and insight into the motives behind volunteering, and as such, it is a crucial tool for event planners creating volunteer recruitment and retention tactics.

Fagr Hesham, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, The British University in Egypt

Global standards and the AI expansion dictate that Gen Z need to be backed up with employability meta-skills that offer them a powerful reflexivity edge and permanent ability to learn. To accelerate revolution against traditional recruitment approaches by studying gamification in Egypt, a team from The British University in Egypt has become the first to use equivalent gamified and traditional assessment tools to study the contrast in performance on five crucial meta-skills for the 21st century. Participants reported higher satisfaction with the traditional tool and higher perceived attractiveness with the gamified tool, and the research also found that senior students in Egypt had low beliefs in the gamified test as a valid assessment tool due to cultural unfamiliarity. The impact of this research is to pave the way for the shift in HR practises to strategic competency-based hiring using innovative tools and encourage investments in workplace gamification

Dr. Sameer Kishore (PhD, FHEA) Senior Lecturer Computer Engineering and Informatics Campus Programme Coordinator MSc Robotics Judhi Prasetyo (FHEA, MSc) Senior Lecturer Computer Engineering and Informatics Head and Founder, RoboTechX Lab

RoboTechX Middlesex University Dubai Team was one of only six teams out of the 20 invited worldwide to successfully complete the e-waste dismantling challenge at Robothon 2022. Hosted by the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The activities spanned over 6 weeks and the award ceremony was held during the Automatica exhibition in Munich. The challenge aimed to explore how automation could be used to simplify the dismantling process of e-waste, quickly and safely. The tasks included picking up, plugging in, and turning a key; removing AA batteries, and unplugging and plugging in an Ethernet cable. The competition highlighted the importance of using robots to handle dangerous tasks such as e-waste dismantling, which can result in unexpected electrocutions, exposure to harmful gas inhalation, and hand injuries.

Youssef Idaghdour

Malaria is a serious global health problem with 247 million cases and 619,000 deaths reported in 2021 in 84 countries. The limited understanding of the immune response to malaria has hindered efforts to find sustainable therapeutic strategies and vaccines. Our research tackles this problem by studying how African children from multiple ethnic groups living different lifestyles in rural Burkina Faso respond to the infection. We used a combination of field-based clinical work, longitudinal sampling of malarial children over a period of four years, and a series of experimental and computational genomics and immunology methods to dissect how the children respond to the parasitic infection. The effort led to the discovery of novel mechanisms of resistance and susceptibility to malaria implicating molecules associated with diet and lifestyle and with disease severity. The findings set the stage for the development of new interventions in malaria.

Dr. Irene Samy Fahim Gabriel

“Manufacturing of food packages and packaging materials at a competitive price from Bagasse pulp” A sustainable approach to exploit the benefits of the sugarcane crop and produce wealth from waste. Reducing the carbon print in production, the project is based on an innovative drying and forming process (IP rights and patents underway). This method reduces energy and water use in the manufacturing process by about 50% and reduces several logistical steps including the transportation and treatment of raw materials. Environmentally, Sugarcane absorbs more carbon dioxide during its life cycle than almost any other plant. The research suggests that expanding sugarcane production could reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by up to 5.2% The project also gives a new investment dimension to the Bagasse pulp industry in Egypt, which is currently based on the declining paper market. Egypt produces about 3 million tons of Bagasse annually, ranked 9th on the world.

The Qatar University (QU) team were extensively involved in the SARS-CoV-2 studies, generating valuable data by a broad assessment of vaccine effectiveness, hence providing significant importance to the community given uncertainties of efficacy and safety. The analysis of over 7,000 blood samples, found that Moderna generates a higher level of antibodies than Pfizer, and a heterologous vaccination triggers immune responses equivalent to homologous Pfizer and Moderna vaccination regimens. Furthermore, a collaboration between the QU team and the University of Rome-Italy evaluated the aforementioned vaccines, which led to the creation of a novel, and accurate detection method for SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in collaboration with the University of Texas-USA. The availability of highly-trained graduate students at QU, led to collaboration with many institutes, resulting in an exceptional number of publications. The QU team established themselves as leaders in COVID-19 research, and their efforts greatly contributed to the fight against the pandemic.

The Amal Lab - Dr. Haitham Amal

Dr. Amal's Laboratory of Neuromics, Cell Signaling, and Translational Medicine has made groundbreaking progress in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research by discovering the involvement of the neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of ASD. This led to the development of HU-53, a drug that has shown promising results in reversing autistic phenotypes in mice. The drug reduces nitric oxide levels in neurons, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in reversing synaptic and neuronal deficits. These findings have been patented and licensed by an American pharmaceutical company, with a $1.5 million grant directed towards Dr. Amal's lab. Furthermore, Dr. Amal's lab has revealed shared molecular mechanisms between ASD and Alzheimer's disease (AD), leading to the potential for shared therapeutic interventions for both neuropathologies. Dr. Amal's work represents a major breakthrough in ASD treatment, paves the way for future innovations in the field, and may greatly improve the lives of those affected by ASD.

We are submitting this proposal from Office of Associate Provost for Research, United Arab Emirates University. This project is conducted by Prof. Mohammednoor Al Tarawneh and Engr. Labeeb Ali (PhD student) from Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, United Arab Emirates University.

The technological advancements have led to a rapid increase in the generation of electronic waste (e-waste), which poses a danger to the environment and waste management systems. The amount of waste e-waste generated globally in 2022 was ~ 60 million metric tonnes. By sophisticated experimental measurements and theoretical modelling, major discoveries in reducing emission of notorious pollutants during thermal recycling of plastics in e-waste was achieved along with transformation of trash plastics into an energy source. The project enabled for the first time, to comprehend the governing chemical reaction mechanisms that operate during the catalytic upgrading of recycled halogenated plastics. The mission of the United Arab Emirates University to become a flagship research hup in the pursuit to fulfil sustainability agenda, most notably Sustainable Cities and Communities. The research taps into optimizing a zero-emission route that could accommodate the treatment of e-waste within the context of waste-to-energy approach.

Jane Estephane; Lea Nahas; Eliane Dahdah; Samer Aouad

The sustainable production of biodiesel from waste materials has become of utmost importance in recent years. In this project, cheap CaO scallop seashell-derived catalysts were prepared by calcination of waste scallop seashells (Noble Pectin). The seashells were thermally treated at different temperatures (600–1000 °C) and then used in the transesterification of waste cooking oil for biodiesel production. This catalyst exhibited a very high activity in the transesterification of waste cooking oil, with a FAME yield of 97%. The seashell-derived catalyst was also stable for at least 4 consecutive runs in the reusability study, maintaining a high FAME yield (>92%). This shows that our catalyst is promising for potential biodiesel production scale-up schemes and industrial applications.

Principal investigator: Dr. Wafaa Ramadan, Postdoctoral Research Associate in University of Sharjah, UAE. Responsibilities: Overall design, conduct, and management of the research project and distribute the burden of conducting collaborative research. Co-principal investigators: 1. Prof. Raafat El-Awady, Professor of Pharmacology in University of Sharjah, UAE. Responsibilities: Assist in conceptualizing the full scope of the research project. 2. Dr. Wael Mansour, Research team leader: DSB repair in tumors in University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. Responsibilities: Research Design and data interpretation. 3. Dr. Samrein Ahmed, Lecturer at college of Health, Sheffield Hallam University, UK. Responsibilities: Designing and conducting some molecular experimental works.

DNA damage response and repair defects resulted from genetic and epigenetic alterations are frequently observed among breast cancer patients and eventually affect their response to chemo- and radiotherapies. Among the epigenetic alterations, the histone acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein (CBP) was found to be dysregulated in breast cancer cells. However, the potential of targeting CBP in breast cancer therapy remains poorly understood. Here we report on CBP as a new regulator in ATM activation pathway, a central regulator of DNA damage response. In response to DNA damage, CBP is stabilized and is recruited at sites of DNA breaks where it promotes the kinase activity of ATM. Cells deficient in CBP displayed an impairment in DNA damage repair and high sensitivity to chemo- and radiotherapy. Together, our findings shed the light on CBP as a useful target to modulate the cellular response to DNA damaging agents in breast cancer.

Dr. Ghassan Fouad Aouad Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Ali Odhabi Mr. Bassam Murra Ms. Laila Kroma Mr. Amit Sharma Ms. Noor Almasri Dr. Heather Friesen Mr. Stephen Dcunha Ms. Merlyn Kulapurath

ADU launched a new campaign concept, "Built Around U", in line with our brand strategy to reach new target audiences, increase student recruitment, and improve lead quality. The concept is forward-looking, positive, and builds on the university's commitment to building its brand, community, and catering to multiple stakeholders. The campaign focuses on ADU's commitment to its students and helping them achieve their goals through diverse scholarship and financial aid programs. The campaign was launched using different online and offline tools, including social media campaigns, emailers, digital campaigns, and ADU real stories of transformation. To support the campaign internally, several CRM improvements were implemented, including automated follow-up emails and text messages, personalized communications, analyzing CRM data, and integrating CRM with marketing channels, resulting in a conversion rate of 92%.

Student Affairs team

AlMaarefa University (UM) is tasked with creating national and international recruitment campaigns to attract students from inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and abroad. The UM took an initiative and inspiration from an established tradition of extending a warm welcome to overseas students from the moment they make contact with the University.

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering (CEN) at the American University of Sharjah initiated a "Discover Engineering" recruitment program to introduce high school students to engineering. The program involved a series of bootcamps, workshops, competitions, pre-university enrichment visits, shadow program, engineering open day, and high school counselors' day. The goal is to engage and inspire potential students to pursue an engineering career and showcase the university's strengths in this field. The events were promoted through informative newsletters, dedicated websites, and social media. The program was designed to give potential students an inside look at what it is like to study engineering at the university. The participants toured the campus, met with current students and faculty, and learned about the state-of-the-art laboratory housed within CEN. "Discover Engineering" program promoted diversity and inclusivity. A diverse mix of participants from different backgrounds created a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, enriching the learning experience for everyone.

KFU president KFU Promoting Team The National Research Center for Giftedness and Creativity

The National Research Center for Giftedness and Creativity at King Faisal University supervised the implementation of the summer academic enrichment program. King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness is the program's sponsor (MAWHIBA). It aims to support gifted students in discovering their passion, creating their future, and developing their interpersonal and social abilities. For gifted, driven, and promising youths, the program provides a selection of top-tier STEM courses. In order to keep students interested and motivated, the program offers workshops, activities, and events. There are 240 students (120 male and 120 female) enrolled in the summer program. The Saudi Ministry of Education's National Program for Gifted Identification recommends students. The five scientific fields of physics and engineering, biology and medical science, chemistry, energy and the environment, and mathematics and information technology are all the basis for the program's courses. Different levels of study are catered for in subjects.

The Outreach Program of Engineer of the Future was initiated and coordinated by Dr. Mohammed Hussein, Head of Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering in the College of Engineering at Qatar University. The program involved support in the design of its activities and the logistics by the following Department’s members: Dr. Wael Alnahhal, Dr. Mohammed Elshafie, Dr. Alaa AlHawari, Eng. Nasser Alnohmi, Eng. Siju Joseph, Eng. Abdul Azeez Kilayil, Eng. Anas Alsharo, Eng. Abdulrahman Abu-Hijleh, and Eng. Nasser Al-Jurf. The program was delivered in collaboration with the National Service Academy and with contribution from Qatar Society of Engineers.

The program of Engineer of the Future is the first outreach program of its kind in the region to provide comprehensive practical hands-on, yet fun activities and competitions to students at the pre-university entry-stage to demonstrate and increase awareness of various disciplines of Civil Engineering. The program was delivered in the week of the 30th of January 2022 in the National Service Academy with support from the Academy and involvement of Qatar Society of Engineers who invited Alumni Engineers from the industry to share their experience with the students. The program was extremely successful based on: (1) the strong interest and support from the leaders of Qatar University, National Service Academy and Qatar Society of Engineers. (2) the feedback of the students attending the program. (3) the honouring of the working team by the leaders of organizations involved. (4) the highlighting of the program in the local media in Qatar.

Prof. Dr. Hisham Abdelsalam

With a futuristic vision at that time, the Egyptian E-Learning University (EELU) was established in 2008 to provide a first-of-its-kind model in Egypt for the optimal use of e-learning technologies in higher education, and to act as a backbone infrastructure for the integration of resources and expertise of Egyptian public universities through EELU academic branches in these universities. EELU adopts an integrated education model that combines face-to-face classes, the use of video conferencing, virtual classrooms, and self-learning. To keep up with challenges, the university adopted an omnichannel marketing communications model with Salesforce platform as its cornerstone to integrate data from different sources and to help guide the campaign decisions by analyzing information into actionable insights. Multiple online and offline channels were used to reach potential students and their families while ensuring a smooth experience with EELU during the recruitment journey. Deploying and managing such complex model.

Directorate of Education for the Northwest Badia District

Despite much progress has been achieved to close the education gender gap in STEM fields in Jordan, this has not been reflected in women’s participation in the work force, a phenomenon known as the MENA paradox. Investment in education must be matched with personal, societal, and national efforts to tackle barriers to Jordanian women entering the workforce. The project aims to expose high school girls to a broad range of research areas in life sciences. The targeted participants are from disadvantaged regions from the city of Mafraq, where opportunities for wet lab experience are limited if existent, and chances of these girls to continue their bachelor’s degree in STEM is almost zero. The project, funded by the Hashemite University and ICRO/UNESCO, will distribute 10 girls to 10 different labs. This will encourage them to remove all barriers that hinder them from engaging in science as a future career.

Dr. Ghassan Fouad Aouad Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Ali Odhabi Dr. Philip Anthony Hamill Dr. Heather Friesen Mr. Stephen Dcunha Ms. Merlyn Kulapurath

Through the collaborative engagement of its entire leadership team, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) launched the Reputation Optimization Project (ROP) in 2021 to enhance its global standing. The ROP included initiatives to incentivize faculty performance through “stretch KPIs.” We revamped our faculty professional development program and mandated a wholesale shift in publishing to high-impact journals. Our Global Engagement Program (GEP) established faculty collaborations with top researchers worldwide, and a proactive partnership with AdvanceHE improved faculty performance. ROP resulted in a 37% increase in Scopus journal publications. Q1 and Q2 publications have reached 90%. Our new Smart Learning Center won two Gold Stevie Awards, and ADU renewed its prestigious accreditations from EQUIS and WASC without blemish. Over 30% of our faculty are now Fellows, Senior Fellow, or Principal Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. ROP has successfully positioned ADU at the very forefront of aspiring universities across the globe.

Fatma Mohamed, PhD

"Innovative Hypertext Fiction E-Stories Teaching and Production Project" The teaching strategy employed in this project-based course is applicable and beneficial to various disciplines. It focuses on teaching and producing Electronic Literature, which is a rarity in the curriculum of universities in the MENA region. This teaching strategy aligns with the needs of our AI era and helps overcome some of its obstacles. Moreover, it prepares students for the demands of the 21st-century job market by equipping them with the necessary soft/power skills. The project involves the production of Hypertext Fiction E-Stories, where students are guided through a series of hands-on activities. They imagine our AlAkhawayn University in Ifrane providing a virtual campus in the Metaverse alongside the physical campus. Approximately 187 e-stories were published. Various assessment tools were utilized, and the student survey indicated notable enhancements in different areas."

At the heart of AUD’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning is its embrace of innovation. In line with AUD’s mission, vision, values and goals which link student success to quality programs, AUD’s five-year strategic plan (2020-2025) specifically identifies the following goal: Pursue and support initiatives that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging forms of education. AUD supports innovation in teaching and learning through the following priorities: Expanding technological literacy & promoting entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking. During 2022, AUD achieved key milestones in these two priority areas through student-centered initiatives and projects emanating from the Center for Research, Innovation and Design (CRID), the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (AEIC).

Submitted by HBKU Faculty: Digital Health Team/Faculty: Mowafa Househ, Dena Al-Thani, Aiman Erbad, Mounir Hamdi, Tanvir Alam, Zubair Shah, Raian Ali, Marwa Qaraqe

HBKU is a leading academic institution in the MENA region, offering pioneering digital health programs with a focus on research, practical applications, and real-world problem solving in 2022. The university has established strong partnerships with key players in Qatar's health sector, boasting high employability rates and global recognition. HBKU's digital health initiatives have significantly impacted the Qatar’s digital health ecosystem development and fostered collaborative networks, training various healthcare professionals, local and international students, and publishing over 50 research articles in 2022. The evaluation criteria for the award include distinctive and innovative teaching and learning strategies, embracing and supporting new technology, creating an environment valuing teaching, recognizing and rewarding innovative teaching. These achievements have led to the university being recognized as the Best Academic Institute by the prestigious HIMSS Organization in 2022 for their Digital Health program.

Lebanese American University's Center for Innovative Learning and Dr. Ghada El-Zakhem Naous

In the 2021-2022 Academic Year, Lebanese American University instructors noticed significant knowledge gaps among their sophomore chemistry students. To address this, Dr. Ghada El-Zakhem Naous collaborated with LAU's Center for Innovative Learning to create an online preparatory chemistry course. Designed for diverse educational backgrounds, the course focused on interactivity and self-paced learning. Video lectures covered topics through theory and problem solving, with multiple practice exercises to reinforce understanding. The course helped young learners overcome negative perceptions of online learning due to COVID-19. Benefits included improved preparation for university-level studies, deeper understanding of advanced concepts, ability to discuss chemical concepts confidently, and higher averages in the sophomore chemistry class compared to semesters without the preparatory course.

Dr. Cathia Jenainati, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, as well as faculty members from the Liberal Education Department.

Higher education has faced a number of unprecedented challenges in its search for supporting students as they prepare for an uncertain future. In this context, the Lebanese American University (LAU) reviewed its Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC) to create a new program tailored to undergraduate generation Z students from all majors, aligning it with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum has created interdisciplinary experiences addressing both local and global issues under the twin umbrellas of “digital cultures” and “change makers.” Our intent is to break down academic walls to embrace all that makes us human in an increasingly digital world. Inquiry-based learning also gives students opportunities to participate in high-impact experiences through undergraduate research or industry links to develop their professional identity. We hope that the new LASC will better serve our students as they navigate a world where the only constant is change.

The Teaching and Learning Center at Prince Sultan University Director: Dr. Connie Mitchell Associate Directors: Dr. Shabir Hussain; Dr. Yasir Javed; & Ms. Sofia Adan Admin: Ms. Sara Aloumi The support of the Dean of the Deanship of Quality Assurance and Development, Prof Mamdouh AlEnezi

Prince Sultan University (PSU) is committed to promoting quality practices for teaching and learning by establishing a culture of quality within the university's infrastructure. The university's Teaching and Learning Strategy (TLS) is guided by transformative learning practices that incorporate active and digital methodologies. Lifelong learning is an integral part of PSU's educational culture and is aligned with the university's mission to promote it. The TLS places recognition of excellence at the forefront, with the goal of advancing the university's mission and values and encouraging innovation in teaching and learning. As we embrace the digital age, PSU remains committed to using technology to foster innovation and enhance the TLS. To recognize and reward innovative teaching and learning practices, PSU awards those who demonstrate excellence in their field.

Lama Soubra, Mohammad A. Al-Ghouti, Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh, Sergio Crovella, and Haissam Abou-Saleh

Online education became more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries around the world, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This study aims at assessing the impacts on learning and skills of two student-centered instructional strategies (problem-based learning (PBL) and just-in-time teaching (JiTT)) used online and their implementation challenges in STEM education. The PBL and JiTT were implemented in modules taught in various courses delivered at different bachelor’s study levels and disciplines (biological and environmental studies). Both methods improved students' learning and skills and were highly valued by students.

Dr. Ghassan Fouad Aouad Dr. Hamad Ebrahim Ali Odhabi Dr. Heather Friesen Mr. Stephen Dcunha Ms. Merlyn Kulapurath

Abu Dhabi University has implemented a digital transformation initiative, contending for the Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year award. The initiative enhances the university experience with streamlined services, quick processes, data-informed decision-making, and an innovative culture. Key digital systems which exemplify digital innovation in higher education include the Curriculum Management System, QlikView Student Engagement dashboards, Course Planning and Degree Audit applications, AI Video Generator, Risk Management System, Student Re-Engagement Calling Project, and Self-Service Portal, with a GPT-4-based AI system providing instant feedback to instructors' queries. ADU's approach emphasizes sustainability, capacity-building, and innovation, with stakeholders contributing through AI-powered no-code and low-code platforms. The initiative overcame cultural, financial, and logistical obstacles and is scalable for future expansion. Achievements include 39+ apps, 95 services, 30,000+ personalized WhatsApp messages, 60 academic programs, 8350+ AI videos, 16,000 CRM leads, and 85 professional development sessions with 7809+ attendees.

Arabian Gulf University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Arabian Gulf University is a Regional University in Bahrain that was formed and is run by all GCC countries. It runs MD program for Medicine and Various Masters and PHD Programs. Various Innovative projects at AGU not only solve the challenges, but the breakthrough transforms the way teaching and learning happens. 1) LUCINA AR: A revolutionizing breakthrough in Medicine of teaching Female anatomy and complex delivery scenarios. Lucina AR is a high fidelity mannequin that used both AI and AR to train students on Female anatomy and various delivery complications. 2)DXR Clinician is used to train students in a virtual hospital environment. 3)AGU E-Log - Comprehensive Analytical Dashboard of Students' Clinical Exposure during clerkship. 4)CMMS Online: A custom developed portal that serves as a one stop shop for all students Needs. Houses a cloud based LMS, Online Live Class System, Attendance system, Exam Application and Measures CLOs, ILOs.

Ibrahim Elsayed- Director of Quality Assurance & Institutional Effectiveness Prof. Sherief Khalifa- Vice Chancellor for Quality Assurance & Institutional Effectiveness Asma Fatima Syeda- Associate Director of Quality Assurance & Institutional Effectiveness Cristeta Contaoi- Institutional Research Specialist Yasmeen Albanna- Institutional Research Officer Sara Osman- Manager Program Evaluation and Accreditation Lubna Abdel Jawad- Coordinator Program Evaluation and Accreditation

Gulf Medical University faced challenges with inefficient and less effective processes for accessing and reporting data. To address this, The Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness (QA&IE) unit developed an online portal, providing a centralized hub for information access and innovative applications such as course evaluations and mentorship. The platform played a critical role in smoothly and accurately preparing self-study reports for accreditation and promoting a culture of transparency across the university colleges and departments. Training and workshops were provided to all relevant stakeholders, and the quality team was available to troubleshoot issues. The portal saved the university 95% on various applications and is scalable, supporting the expansion of operations. Currently, there is a 100% utilization rate with 2 million data records in action. The QA&IE portal has immense potential for expansion based on the increasing scope and operations of the university.

Dr. Evan Fakhoury

With cutting-edge digital innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality improving at a rapid pace, the higher education industry seems to have been left behind, particularly in the MENA region. Universities and classrooms still rely on old-school PowerPoint slides to explain complex theories. In Engineering for instance, some concepts are difficult to explain on a two-dimensional whiteboard or screen, making it tedious for professors to get the message across, and even more difficult for students to grasp these concepts and understand their significance or impact. In 2022, with support from the Dean of Engineering, I took it upon myself to build a VR tech hub wherein traditional course content are revamped and rebuilt in a virtual environment. Using expendable cardboard glasses, students and faculty can now be immersed in a virtual environment, seeing these tough engineering concepts become alive right in front of their eyes.

Dr. Nael H Alami (PhD, MSc, MA) Ms. Sabantha A-Saab (MPH)

As the world emerges from a global lock-down and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are faced by a number of disconcerting events and challenges that will continue to wreak havoc unless sustainable solutions are devised. Among the most pressing of these tragic events is global conflict and natural disasters that threaten the livelihoods and well-being of tens of millions of citizens. Relief and assistance to the affected populations requires a concerted global effort in which universities should play a central role. The Virtual, Immersive, Collaborative Learning Program at MUBS results in the development of empathy, sense of purpose and meaning, a decrease in cultural stereotyping, and leads to long-lasting human connections. In these classes, international students work with local communities to identify needs and design humanitarian relief interventions utilizing 360-degree cameras during site visits, virtual reality headsets, videoconferencing software, and develop practical skills to leave a positive impact.

Instructor: Tuka Alhanai, Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering, NYUAD Teaching Instructors: Ahmed Salous, Prince Steven Annor, Mohammad Hassan Jamil

Most of a student’s time learning is spent outside of the classroom. Therefore, to map a student’s journey of learning (and not just score their final resulting works), we augmented a traditional course with a digital learning environment by applying the latest in video analytics and text editing technologies to a sophomore-level programming course in Engineering. Using real-time and retrospective statistics, we were able to measurably observe pain points in the student’s learning process, and conversely, what they found easy. Our approach may be scaled to an almost unlimited number of students and across any course where writing and/or programming is required. To ensure the relevance and utility of our digital learning environment, all content has been made publicly available.

College of Business and Economics at Qatar University. The project has been initiated and led by Dean Rana Sobh and implemented by the faculty and instructor Dr. Abdullah Aljafari, Assistant Professor in Marketing.

The Metaverse is an emerging technology that is likely to transform the educational experience and shape the future of business. To this end, The College of Business and Economics at Qatar University has embarked on a project aiming to use this technology in one of the business courses – Services Marketing. The project involved creating a digital twin of the college and classrooms, and accessing those using customized avatars. 3D objects and immersive scenarios were used to provide illustrations and visual reference points that increased students’ engagement and leveraged their understanding. As companies are racing to build their presence in the Metaverse and create unique virtual customer experiences, using and integrating this technology into the business curriculum help students develop a better understanding of the technology and how it can be used in business settings, which is crucial to prepare graduates for the future of business.

Dr Tendai Charles. Assistant Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Research in Digital Education.

Acknowledging the challenges that students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) face when studying alone in online or blended learning courses offered by the British University in Dubai, they developed the “Digital Inclusion for SEN” Initiative, which was led by Dr Tendai Charles. At the heart of this technological innovation, was the adoption of “Anthology Ally”, which is a tool they integrated into their Learning Management System (Blackboard Ultra) to ensure all didactic materials provided by faculty to students were meeting digital accessibility requirements for persons with physical disabilities and/or cognitive learning difficulties. Due to the proven meaningful impact this integration had on BUiD’s students with SEN, they hope their story can be used as an example of best practice for other MENA-based universities, who are seeking ways of supporting their own SEN students with digital inclusion and accessibility.