Advance HE Gulf Fellowship Network Forum 2025: Promoting Excellence in Higher Education

The Advance HE Gulf Fellowship Network Forum 2025 is a landmark event bringing together higher education leaders, faculty members, and Fellows committed to teaching excellence and continuous professional development (CPD). This forum is designed to empower educators, foster collaboration, and drive innovation in teaching and learning across the Gulf region.

Why Attend?

Gain Insights from Experts – Hear from distinguished keynote speakers and panelists.
Engage in Professional Development – Participate in panel discussions, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions.
Expand Your Network – Connect with educators, Fellows, and academic leaders from across the region.
Recognize Teaching Excellence – Celebrate institutions and individuals advancing higher education excellence.
Explore the Latest Trends – Learn about AI in education, assessment strategies, faculty development, and more.

Who Should Attend?

Current and aspiring Advance HE Fellows (D1–D4)
Higher education faculty and teaching staff
University leaders and academic administrators
Faculty developers and mentors
Teaching and learning professionals

Event Schedule

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Registration, Refreshments & Networking
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Keynote & Q&A
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM: Presentation of Awards
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Parallel Sessions
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch & Networking
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Parallel Sessions and Panel Discussion
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM: Coffee Break
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Breakout Sessions
3:25 PM - 3:30 PM: Closing Remarks

Agenda

Gulf Fellowship Network Forum Agenda

Download

Are you attending?

Start networking before the forum begins! 'Right click' on the image and select 'Save image as' to get a digital copy of the image to use in your social media posts. Don't forget to tag us @AdvanceHE on X and Advance HE on LinkedIn.

Gulf Fellowship Network Forum Social Card

"The Advance HE Gulf Fellowship Network Forum 2025 is more than just an event—it is a movement towards elevating teaching excellence across the region. As the founder of this network, my vision is to create a dynamic space where educators can exchange insights, support one another in their professional journeys, and collectively raise the standards of higher education. Through meaningful discussions, expert-led sessions, and networking opportunities, we aim to empower faculty with the tools and strategies needed to enhance their teaching impact. I look forward to seeing you all at this milestone event!"

Dr. Mahinour Ezzat
Founder of the Advance HE Gulf Fellowship Network

Speakers

Dr Kay Hack (PFHEA)

Lead Consultant (Education)
,
Advance HE

Kay leads a team of senior consultants to deliver a range of services to the HE sector to support strategic leadership and change in HEIs. Kay has worked with a diverse range of UK and international higher education providers on key themes which aim to improve the student experience and outcomes. She led, in collaboration with the UK Quality Assurance Agency, the revision of sector guidance on Education for Sustainable Development.

Prof. Christina Gitsaki

Research Coordinator at the Center for Educational Innovation
,
Zayed University

Prof. Dr. Christina Gitsaki is the Research Coordinator at the Center for Educational Innovation, Zayed University. She led the ZU AdvanceHE Fellowship program for the last 3 years supporting over 180+ faculty to achieve their fellowship. Christina has served as the UNESCO Chair in Applied Research in Education and the Dean of the Foundations Program at the Higher Colleges of Technology. Before the UAE, she worked at The University of Queensland, Australia, educating teachers and supervising Ph.D. students in educational research. She is an Apple Professional Learning Specialist (APLS) and her research focuses on the use of educational technologies in teaching and assessment. At the CEI, she oversees the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning program and the development of faculty for engaging in research on teaching and learning.

Dr. Preman Rajalingam

Associate Professor, Higher Education Chair of Health Professions Education Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Experienced educator, academic leader, and researcher in higher education, with a particular focus on health professions education. Preman has worked in university settings in Singapore, London, and Dubai, with experience spanning faculty development, curriculum design and assessment.

Dr. Hussein M Elmehdi

Associate Professor of Biomedical Physics at the Department of Applied Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sharjah

Hussein Elmehdi is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Physics at the Department of Applied Physics and Astronomy. He earned his PhD in Biomedical Physics from the University of Manitoba, Canada in 2001 and joined the University of Sharjah in 2005. His research spans ultrasound in biomedical applications, environmental acoustics, health and environmental physics, and online education. He has published over 100 refereed publications and holds two patents. In relevance to this talk, he coordinates the "Accelerating Digital Learning" project at University of Sharjah, a significant initiative in collaboration with UCQOL and funded by Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF). Dr. Elmehdi has received numerous awards for research, leadership, teaching, and community service, the latest of which is the prestigious UNESCO-ICHEI Higher Education Digitization Pioneer Case Award (2023).

Dr Narimane Hadj-Hamou

Founder and CEO of the Center for Learning Innovations and Customized Knowledge Solutions (CLICKS)

Dr. Narimane Hadj-Hamou is a distinguished leader in higher education with over 22 years of international experience in e-learning, teaching and learning, quality assurance, governance, and strategy. She is the Founder and CEO of the Center for Learning Innovations and Customized Knowledge Solutions (CLICKS), established in 2012, which has collaborated with over 185 higher education institutions worldwide.

Professor Tenia Kyriazi

Deputy Director Teaching and Learning
,
Middlesex University Dubai

Professor Tenia Kyriazi is a Professor (Practice) in Legal Education, Deputy Director Teaching and Learning, Law & Social Sciences and Head of Law at Middlesex University Dubai. Tenia holds a PhD in International Human Rights Law from the University of Athens (Greece), an LLM in International Law with International Relations from the University of Kent at Canterbury (UK), a BA Law from the University of Athens (Greece) and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from Middlesex University (UK). She is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE (UK) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). Tenia is a founding member and the President of the UAE Branch of the ILA. She qualified as a lawyer in Athens (Greece) in 2004.

Dr Ola Elshurafa SFHEA

Academic Consultant and Head of Accredited AEP
,
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

Dr. Ola Elshurafa is the Academic Development Consultant, Fellowship Advisor, and Accreditation Head at the Program for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (PETL), at the Development and Quality Deanship (DQD) in Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU).

Dr. Norita Ahmad

Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics, American University of Sharjah

Dr. Norita Ahmad is a Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the Director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. Before joining AUS, she taught at Pennsylvania State University, USA. She holds a Ph.D. in Decision Sciences Engineering Systems from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, along with an MSc in Telecommunications and Network Management and a BSc in Computer Science from Syracuse University, NY. She currently serves as the co-editor of the Data Column for IEEE Computer Magazine and an Associate Editor for Digital Transformation and Society.

Dr. Emily Winchip

Assistant Professor
,
Zayed University

Dr. Emily Winchip is an Assistant Professor at Zayed University in the Center for Educational Innovation. She facilitates workshops for faculty about assessment, data collection and analysis. Dr. Winchip is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE.

Dr. Veselina Yankova

Academic Program Chair, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
,
Higher Colleges of Technology

Dr. Veselina Yankova is the Academic Program Chair of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE. She holds a PhD in Innovation Management and has lectured and developed academic programs in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and the UAE. Dr. Yankova played a pivotal role in securing AACSB accreditation for HCT’s Faculty of Business and led multiple CAA accreditation renewals.

Dr. Asim Bashir

Lecturer, Assessment Coordinator and Advance HE Assessor at the University of Birmingham Dubai

Dr Asim Bashir's career spans over 17 years in English language instruction and education. Holding a Doctorate in Education from the University of Huddersfield and Advance HE Senior Fellowship, his educational journey includes an MA and BA (Hons) from the University of Leeds. Currently, he serves as a Lecturer, Assessment Coordinator and Advance HE Assessor at the University of Birmingham Dubai. He previously worked as a Lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, UK and the University of Dammam, KSA. His research interests include using technology, integrating computer-assisted language learning, learner motivation, and collaborative and academic writing.

Michael Pazinas

Specialist, Pedagogical Innovation and Effectiveness at the Center for Educational Innovation
,
Zayed University

Michael Pazinas is a specialist in pedagogical innovation and effectiveness and currently leads the Center for Educational Innovation at Zayed University. Focusing on human-centred learning experience design and AI-enabled teaching, his faculty development course LX.ai was shortlisted for the 2024 Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year by Times Higher Education.

Katya Burfitt

Regional Director, Middle East, Studiosity

Katya Burfitt is a professional with over 17 years of experience in education. During her career, Katya has worked with high schools and universities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, leading on the launch and successful growth of the institution brands globally. Katya has vast experience in partnerships and account management and has in-depth knowledge of the Higher Education sector. As Regional Director at Studiosity, Katya focuses on supporting the partner universities in the Middle East and working with the institutions interested to enhance student support and outcomes with the AI for Learning services.

Prof Samar Ahmed

Founder of FAIMER, Middle East Chapter

With over 25 years of experience in academic leadership and education management, Samar has dedicated their career to enhancing educational quality, developing innovative teaching methodologies, and guiding students and faculty toward academic excellence. A medical graduate with extensive expertise in higher education leadership, curriculum design, and accreditation, they have played a pivotal role in educational reform and creating effective learning environments.