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Elevate MENA

2025-26 Member Benefit Higher education in the MENA region is evolving rapidly. Are you ready to be part of the transformation?

Available to Advance HE Members only. Designed for the MENA region.

Higher education in the MENA region faces unprecedented challenges - from evolving student expectations to AI integration and national competitiveness goals. Elevate MENA addresses these head-on by bringing together educators across the Middle East and North Africa for regionally-relevant professional development.

Through our three virtual spotlight series and in-person event, we help academics enhance their teaching practice, gain international recognition and contribute to their institution's strategic objectives. It's professional development that is both globally competitive and locally meaningful - supporting everything from Saudi Vision 2030 to UAE's innovation priorities while building the teaching excellence that drives student success.

Call for submissions is now open to enter. We invite submissions of case studies to be publicised in our Excellence Showcase Publication. Available exclusively to Advance HE Members in the Middle East and North Africa, deadline for submissions is 10 December 2025.

Spotlight sessions are now open for booking, designed to focus on challenges in the MENA region, they are accessible to all Advance HE Members

Call for Submissions open

Our call for submission form, accessible to members of the MENA region, is now open. 

We're inviting submissions of case studies to be publicised in our Excellence Showcase Publication.

 Call for Submissions
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Project highlights

  • Spotlight Series – Three virtual events across innovations in learning and teaching, enhancing curricula to align with national visions and embedding AI to enhance student experience and outcomes. Bookings are now open.
  • Excellence Showcase - Digital publication of the region’s most impactful teaching practices, with international recognition for top contributors. Call for submissions is now open.
  • In-person MENA event - Face-to-face networking and development event. Details to be confirmed.

Who should join?

  • Senior Leaders: Pro Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Directors of Learning & Teaching, Heads of School/Department
  • Academic Staff: Programme Leaders, Educational Developers, Lecturers, Professors & Chairs
  • Fellowship Community: Current and aspiring Advance HE Fellows (D1–D4)

If you’re working to enhance student outcomes while navigating rapid technological change and evolving government priorities, Elevate MENA will connect you with peers across the region facing the same challenges and gives you strategies that work.
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Why Elevate MENA

  • Evolving Student Expectations - Students demand employability-focused education with cutting-edge digital skills and personalised learning experiences that prepare them for the global marketplace.
  • AI and Digital Innovation - Regional priorities emphasise AI integration and digital transformation, but many educators lack the practical skills and frameworks to implement these effectively.
  • Global Competitiveness - Institutions must enhance their international rankings and reputation while maintaining alignment with national education visions and strategic objectives.
  • Student Success Imperatives – Sustainability and institutional reputation depend on improved student success rates and demonstrable learning outcomes.
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Call for Submissions

Before you begin, please take a moment to review the submission criteria outlined in the documentation below. Understanding these guidelines will help ensure your submission meets all requirements.

Advance HE’s Elevate MENA series supports member institutions across the Middle East and North Africa in spotlighting impactful initiatives and advancing educational excellence. Sharing good practice and learning from experience are central to this work.

We invite submissions of short case studies that showcase recent practice aligned with the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) and one of our listed themes. These will be featured in our Excellence Showcase digital publication, and we will invite selected authors to present their case studies in one of three online ‘spotlight’ sessions across the region. 

Deadline for submissions is on 10 December 2025. 

 Apply now
Elevate MENA Call for Submissions
21/10/2025
Elevate MENA Call for Submissions View Document
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Kristian Rumble
If you and colleagues are constantly needing to navigate the pressure to enhance student outcomes while adapting to rapid technological change and evolving government priorities then Elevate MENA gives you access to cutting-edge teaching practices that are actually relevant to your regional context.

The program will connect you with fellow educators across the Gulf who are facing similar challenges, whether that's integrating AI into curricula or improving employability outcomes for graduates. You will be able to showcase your innovative work on a global stage while learning from proven practices that have worked in institutions like yours."

Kristian Rumble – Head of Partnerships (MENA) – Advance HE

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Project timeline

  • Publication of Excellence Showcase: 8 January 2026

  • Spotlight event 1: 20 January 2026, 13:00-14:30 GST

    Innovations to support access, retention, attainment and progression. Book now.

  • Spotlight event 2: 5 February 2026, 13:00-14:30 GST

    Enhancing curricula to align with national visions. Book now.

  • Spotlight event 3: 13 May 2026, 13:00-14:30 GST

    Embedding AI into learning, teaching and assessment practice to enhance student experience and outcomes. Book now.

  • May 2026 - In-person event

    Face-to-face networking and development event. (TBC)