Academia, Industry and Government Leaders to Highlight Role of Academic Institutions in Embracing Digital Transformation  

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced it will co-host the Times Higher Education (THE) Digital Universities MENA 2022 in Abu Dhabi to focus on the role of academic institutions in embracing digital transformation and internationalization to meet the needs of students and the community.

His Excellency Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Education, will deliver an address on ‘MENA’s higher education revolution has only just begun’ at the conference that will be held from 12-14 September at Khalifa University Main Campus. The event titled ‘World-class education for a digital-first future’, will bring together education leaders, policymakers and industry partners. It will also feature cutting-edge start-ups and the latest technologies set to accelerate education into the next decade of transformation.

Professor Sir John O’ Reilly, President, Khalifa University, will deliver the opening remarks along with Phil Baty, chief knowledge officer, THE. Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, will participate in a panel discussion titled ‘Why the future of higher education must be customizable and learner-centric’, and Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice-President – Academic and Student Services, Khalifa University, will share his perspectives on ‘Revolutionize the student experience online: challenges and opportunities’.

Others from Khalifa University addressing the forum include Dr. Ernesto Damiani, Senior Director, Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute, Khalifa University, who will join the panel discussion on ’Unlocking higher education’s potential with blockchain technology’, and Fahem Al Nuaimi, CEO, Ankabut, who will join a roundtable titled ‘IT leadership for a smart, sustainable campus’.

Speakers representing institutions including King Saud University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Prince Sultan University, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, The British University in Egypt, University of Bahrain, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, and American University of Beirut, will also address the event.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “We are delighted to co-host the THE Digital Universities MENA 2022 in Abu Dhabi and highlight the key role of educational institutions in driving digital transformation. We believe hosting the event in the UAE further illustrates the importance of innovation and technology in academia, industry and the government, and the country’s emphasis on encouraging academic research and creating intellectual property.”

Charlotte Coles, head of content at Times Higher Education said: “We are incredibly excited to bring Times Higher Education’s Digital Universities series to the MENA region. Many countries have shown exemplary efforts in transitioning their institutions to a hybrid future that will ultimately better serve their students and society and we hope to use these timely conversations to further accelerate progress for the region’’.

With three themes – Accelerate campus transformations, World-class teaching and learning innovation, and revolutionize the student experience online – the Digital Universities MENA 2022 agenda will focus on how technology continues to impact the education sector and drive forward world-class education for future generations.

THE Digital Universities MENA 2022 welcomes some of the defining figures working at the intersection of academic innovation and technology. The conference will provide an opportunity to meet and network with leaders in academia and industry and to hear how the adoption of digital technologies could reap huge socio-economic benefits for the sector and national economies.

You can register to attend the event here.