"The American Arab" Participates in the 7th MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum

Jenin - Afaq News - The Arab American University participated in the 7th MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum (MENA-HELF), where the university was represented by its president, Dr. Baraa Asfour, and its vice president for the university campus in Ramallah, Professor Muhammad Asia, during the seventh edition held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from September 28 to 30, 2026, with the participation of academic leaders, policymakers, experts, and representatives from higher education institutions and related sectors from various countries around the world.

The Arab American University is the only institution from Palestine participating in the MENA-HELF Forum, which is a specialized platform that brings together leaders and decision-makers in the higher education sector. It was launched in 2013 and has attracted more than 1,600 higher education leaders from over 60 countries in its previous editions, aiming to discuss emerging trends and challenges facing the higher education sector and to exchange innovative practices and experiences that contribute to shaping the future.

Dr. Baraa Asfour, the president of the Arab American University, participated as one of the Institutional Case Studies Presenters, alongside representatives from several international universities and academic institutions, reflecting the presence of the Arab American University as the only institution from Palestine in regional and international discussions related to the development of the higher education sector and the exchange of institutional experiences and practices.

In his intervention, President Dr. Baraa Asfour reviewed the enhancement of institutional resilience and the ability to face global disruptions, redefining the role of the university engaged in community service, aligning higher education with future labor market needs, and benefiting from digital transformation and innovation. He spoke about global experiences and practices in institutional transformation and enhancing cooperation between universities, the industry sector, and governments.

He also addressed the importance of employing artificial intelligence, automation, and digital tools in developing education, learning, and scientific research, as well as enhancing institutional efficiency, alongside the responsible use of emerging technologies and maintaining the humanitarian and social mission of higher education institutions.

Dr. Asfour spoke during the forum about the skills and competencies required by the changing labor market, ways to develop curricula and academic programs, enhance student experiences, and strengthen models for skill acquisition, rehabilitation, and skill refinement, contributing to the preparation of graduates who possess the ability to adapt, learn throughout their lives, and compete in a rapidly changing work environment.

The forum's program over three days included general sessions, discussion panels, round tables, workshops, and dialogue sessions, along with presentations of institutional case studies, aimed at exchanging experiences and practical solutions related to the future of higher education, sustainability, enhancing student learning experiences, and strengthening partnerships between universities, the industry sector, and governments. The forum also featured an exhibition of solutions, innovations, and services related to the higher education sector.

Dr. Baraa Asfour stated that the university's participation came as part of its approach to enhance its academic and institutional presence regionally and internationally, exchange experiences with higher education institutions from various countries around the world, develop cooperative relationships and academic partnerships, and benefit from international experiences and practices in developing education, scientific research, and institutional performance, thereby enhancing the university's role in serving the community and responding to the requirements of development and the labor market.

The forum focused in its seventh edition on the challenges and rapid transformations witnessed by the higher education sector globally, foremost among them digital transformation, climate change, economic fluctuations, changing labor market requirements, geopolitical developments, and what these changes impose in terms of the necessity to enhance the flexibility of higher education institutions and their ability to respond, adapt, and sustain.