Speakers at the opening session of QS Summit.

By Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Ras Al Khaimah: Over 60 higher education leaders stressed the need for innovation in elevating the quality of education in the Middle East at the ‘QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East’ hosted by the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK).

The event was organized by AURAK and QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), global higher education analyst and compiler of the QS World University Rankings, the three-day event addressed issues related to the theme “Cultures of Innovation: Elevating quality education for a thriving Middle East”. Over 350 delegates from the region and across the globe attended the event.

The summit assembled leaders from academia, industry and government to explore how universities can embed and instill cultures of innovation sustainably and creatively to enhance the quality of education in the region.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education for UAE hailed the UAE’s education strategy that is based on four main pillars: quality,  innovation,  relevance to labor market and federal efficiency, and added that the success of the strategy was reflected in the tremendous growth and advancement of universities across the country. He stressed the need for international accreditations and scholarship programs for elevating the levels of education.

Al Falasi referred to the culture of innovation as an integral part of UAE’s vision. He remarked that innovation requires inspiration, and this was reflected in the UAE’s ambitious space program which has planned many space missions. He linked these developments to the growing strides made by the UAE in the field of education, by encouraging inquisitiveness. 

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In his welcome address, Dr. David A. Schmidt – President of AURAK, said: “We are honored to host this gathering of educators from across the globe in the spirit of collaboration and innovation, united by a shared commitment to advancing the frontiers of education and continually shaping the future of higher learning. As educators, the responsibility is great and the rewards are immeasurable. Tasked with empowering the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators, our mission at this summit is to critically examine our practices, methodologies, and the impact we have on societies worldwide.”

Addressing the gathering, QS President Nunzio Quacquarelli said: "We are grateful to the American University of Ras Al Khaimah for hosting this year's QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East. With AURAK's support, we are bringing together university leaders and policymakers from the region and beyond, to discuss how quality education drives innovation and growth in the Middle East."

Quacquarelli added: "With its state-of-the-art campus and its focus on innovation, technology and intercultural education, AURAK provides the perfect environment for the constructive debates, knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration opportunities that we are proud to enable and facilitate at this prestigious Summit."

A number of sessions on crucial topics and panel discussions involving key experts were held over two days.

Among the galaxy of speakers were the following: Prof Omar Al-Jarrah Khalid El-Salem, Vice President for planning and Development, Arab Open  Jordan University of Science & Technology; Prof Thafer Assaraira, President, Accreditation and Quality Assurance, Commission for Higher Education Institutions – Jordan; Prof Randa Mahmoud Rezk, President, Arab Network for Universities of Social Responsibility (ANUSR); Prof Thafer Assaraira, President, Accreditation and Quality Assurance, Commission for Higher Education Institutions – Jordan; Dr Steven Reissig, Executive Director, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge; Prof Khaled Al-Kattan, Vice President, Alfaisal University; Malakeh El Haj, Vice President, Knowledge and Innovation, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation; Dr Riad Sakr, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, American University of Science and Technology-AUST; Dr Nazih Khaddaj Mallat, Vice President, Al Ain University (UAE); Carl Manlan, Vice President, Inclusive Impact & Sustainability, Central & Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa, Visa; Prof Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor, Abu Dhabi University; Dr Karim Seghir, Chancellor, Ajman University; Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International University; Dr Nader M. Ghazal, Educator, MIT Certified professional in Al & DX, Former Education Minister Advisor, Khalifa University; and Dr Khaled Balawafi, Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence, AURAK.