Middle East and North Africa Conference (LIMITED SEATING)

Begin your day by networking over coffee. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new connections, and discuss the sessions ahead.

Join us for the Conference welcome from AACSB International’s President and CEO, Lily Bi.

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.

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.

Join your peers for an informal networking luncheon focused on exchanging best practices and fostering connections.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.