Educators
Businesses
Middle East and North Africa Conference (LIMITED SEATING)
Register today for this conference taking place at The St. Regis Downtown Dubai.
Date(s)
January 15 – 16
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Event Type
Conference
Make it a Bundle
Save up to $200
Middle East and North Africa Conference (LIMITED SEATING)
Assurance of Learning Seminar II (Dubai)
Agenda Timezone:
Agenda:
Agenda Timezone:
GST
Gulf Standard Time
Wednesday
January 15
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM GST
Welcome Refreshments and Networking
Begin your day by networking over coffee. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new connections, and discuss the sessions ahead.
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM GST
Conference Welcome
Join us for the Conference welcome from °®Âþµº International’s President and CEO, Lily Bi.
Lily Bi
President and CEO
°®Âþµº International
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM GST
The Business School’s Role in Creating Resilient Economies
Join us for the opening panel session, The Business School’s Role in Creating Resilient Economies. Discover how business schools can equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate complex economic landscapes. Panelists will discuss strategies for balancing economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being in the MENA region. Gain insights into fostering a sustainable and equitable future through effective business practices.
Moderator
Sherif H. Kamel
Chair of °®Âþµº Board of Directors
Dean, Onsi Sawiris School of Business, The American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo
Amr Ezzat Salama
Secretary General
Association of Arab Universities
Danielle Khalife-Fraiha
Secretary General of the Arab Economics and Business Schools Society, AARU. Dean, USEK Business School
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Ghassan Aouad
Chancellor
Abu Dhabi University
Thami Ghorfi
Member of °®Âþµº Board of Directors
President
ESCA Ecole de Management
Sponsored by
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM GST
Leveraging Generative AI in Business Education: Custom GPTs, Content Creation, and Blended Learning
Join this interactive session to explore how generative AI has been used in practice as an innovative tool in business education. Drawing on best practices from classes at the American University in the Emirates, it will showcase how AI has been integrated into bachelor and master-level business courses to enrich teaching and learning. The presentation will highlight custom GPT development, AI-assisted content creation, and integration of Generative AI tools into blended learning. Attendees will gain practical strategies for incorporating these tools into their teaching, enhancing student creativity, engagement, and interactive classroom experiences.
Nikolina Ljepava
Acting Dean, College of Business Administration
American University in the Emirates
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM GST
Networking Luncheon
Join your peers for an informal networking luncheon focused on exchanging best practices and fostering connections.
Sponsored by
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM GST
Roundtable Discussion: Internationalization Strategies: From Vision to Implementation
Join this session to engage in roundtable discussions with your peers to explore internationalization strategies. The discussion will be focused on best practices for how business schools develop and implement their internationalization strategies. Discuss with peers how business schools use their vision and mission to approach internationalization challenges and opportunities, from approaching partners to engaging with them to the implementation of successful international activities.
Maha Mourad
Marketing Professor, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies & Admin., Onsi Sawiris School of Business
The American University in Cairo
2:10 PM - 2:55 PM GST
Aligning Your Institution’s Research and Thought Leadership Focus
In today's competitive higher education landscape, strategic research and thought leadership are crucial. This session will explore how to select research and thought leadership areas that align with your institution's mission and goals. Learn how to identify strategic priorities, optimize resource allocation, enhance existing efforts and pivot faculty research for better alignment.
Samer Atallah
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, Onsi Sawiris School of Business
The American University in Cairo
Sofronis Clerides
Professor of Economics and Dean, Faculty of Economics and Management
University of Cyprus
3:10 PM - 4:10 PM GST
Strategic Implementation of Societal Impact in Business Education
As global challenges intensify across environmental, social, geopolitical, and economic areas, business schools are increasingly called to drive meaningful societal impact. This role goes beyond traditional service efforts, requiring strategic integration of societal goals into core academic functions. This interactive session will guide you in the strategic aspects of societal impact, including how institutions can identify their areas of impact, including existing efforts and new opportunities. Discuss how to ensure your institution’s efforts align with your mission and vision, as well as how to pivot efforts as the needs of the business school and community change. Attendees will gain insights from best-practice examples at accredited schools worldwide.
Hanane El Kouari
Associate Director, International Relations
IESEG School of Management
Sarah Vaughan
Senior Advisor Quality Enhancement and Accreditations
ICN Business School
4:20 PM - 5:05 PM GST
Future of Business Education in MENA
This session will delve into the evolving landscape of business education in the MENA region and discuss critical questions including: What is the future of business education in the MENA region? What delivery channels and models could we use to fulfill our core educational mission? What is our approach to financial sustainability management? How can we support industries with our research agenda?
Moderator
Washika Haak-Saheem
Dean, Dubai Business School
University of Dubai
Ali Zein
Founder & CEO
IdeatoLife
Jamal A Abu Rashed
Dean, School of Business and Quality Management
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM GST
Middle East and North Africa Regional Network Meeting
Member-Driven
Join this panel discussion, Geopolitics and Business Education in MENA: Adapting to a Changing Landscape, moderated by Sherif Kamel, Dean, Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo. This panel discussion will examine how geopolitical developments are shaping the landscape of business education in the MENA region. We will discuss the impact of these changes on schools and explore how they are adapting their programs and strategies to remain relevant and effective.
Moderators
Sherif H. Kamel
Chair of °®Âþµº Board of Directors
Dean, Onsi Sawiris School of Business, The American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo
Thami Ghorfi
Member of °®Âþµº Board of Directors
President
ESCA Ecole de Management
Hani Kamel
Associate Professor, Accounting
Qatar University
Sherine Farouk
Associate Dean For Student Enrollment And Success & Professor Of Accounting
Abu Dhabi University
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM GST
Networking Dinner
Connect with your peers and make new connections over dinner at Abd El Wahab, Souk Al Bahar. Abd El Wahab sits in a beautiful setting on the Burj Lake overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa and the spectacular Dubai Fountains. Enjoy musical performances and succulent Lebanese cuisine that features not only traditional mezze, but also a choice of wonderful Middle Eastern dishes suited to the most conscious palate. Dinner is included in the conference registration fee, but an RSVP is required.
Sponsored by
Thursday
January 16
8:45 AM - 9:15 AM GST
Refreshments and Networking
Begin your day by networking over coffee. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new connections, and discuss the sessions ahead.
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM GST
Resource Session - From Classroom to Career: Developing Competency Skills for the Workforce
Partner-Driven
This session explores how integrating application-based learning, credentialing, and AI-driven tools into education can enhance career readiness and employability. By focusing on developing core competency skills and addressing the real-world demands of the job market, McGraw Hill demonstrates how its innovative solutions prepare learners to excel in their careers. We will also tackle the myths around AI in education, showcasing how it serves as a powerful engine to drive meaningful learning outcomes and workforce readiness.
Madelein Meiring
Regional Sales Director
McGraw Hill
Presented By:
9:25 AM - 10:00 AM GST
New to °®Âþµº & Accreditation Q&A
Discover the latest innovative tools from °®Âþµº including the revamped °®Âþµº Exchange platform, the new website chatbot and the myAccreditation chatbot. Learn how these tools can enhance your member experience followed by an informal accreditation Q&A session. Bring questions related to your institution’s accreditation visit. Whether you are entering the initial accreditation process or have a continuous improvement review visit coming up, we invite you to join us.
Ihsan Zakri
Regional Head, Middle East and Africa
°®Âþµº International
Yusuf Sidani
Dean, Suliman S. Olayan School of Business
American University of Beirut
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM GST
Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit in Learners
Join this fireside chat to discover practical strategies to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking and skills in your learners. Learn how to create a more dynamic learning environment that empowers students to embrace risk, innovation, and critical thinking. Explore effective techniques to foster creativity, problem-solving, and a growth mindset. Leave this session inspired and equipped to inspire your learners.
Jossan Maalouf
Head of Middle East and Africa Region
Fiserv
Thami Ghorfi
Member of °®Âþµº Board of Directors
President
ESCA Ecole de Management
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM GST
Lightning Talks: Strategies for Optimizing Business School-Industry Alignment
Explore effective strategies to optimize business school and industry alignment. Join us for insightful and inspiring 7-minute TED talk-style presentations that will delve into topics such as co-created curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, industry mentorship, and research collaborations.
Moderator
Eileen McAuliffe
EVP & Chief Thought Leadership Officer & Managing Director
°®Âþµº International
Hümeyra Adigüzel
Dean, School of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences
Bahcesehir University
Jean-Paul Arnaout
Dean of the College of Business Administration
Gulf University for Science and Technology
Rana Sobh
Dean, College of Business and Economics
Qatar University
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM GST
Closing Comments and Conference Attendees Group Photo
The conference Chair, Sherif H. Kamel, will wrap up the event by reflecting on the key themes and takeaways, followed by a group photo of all conference attendees to commemorate the event.
Sherif H. Kamel
Chair of °®Âþµº Board of Directors
Dean, Onsi Sawiris School of Business, The American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM GST
Networking Luncheon
Join your peers for an informal networking luncheon focused on exchanging best practices and fostering connections.
Sponsored by
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM GST
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Affinity Group Meeting
Member-Driven
Join us for a discussion on the collaboration between university-based incubators and accelerators in the MENA Region and how this can enhance the startup ecosystem by leveraging unique strengths of institutions. Our discussion will highlight the role of business schools as centers of knowledge and research and the impact of incubators and accelerators on student-centered learning experiences. This session will explore collaboration opportunities, share best practices, and lessons learned, and exchange ideas about the role of incubators and accelerators in the entrepreneurial ecosystem—particularly in bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Moderator
Sherif H. Kamel
Chair of °®Âþµº Board of Directors
Dean, Onsi Sawiris School of Business, The American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo