Elevate: Middle East and North Africa

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

Connect with colleagues from institutions similar to yours. Exchange best practices, explore common challenges, and build valuable connections in an informal setting.

Connect with peers, meet exhibitors, and explore fresh ideas in the Exhibitor Showcase, a space designed to help you build relationships, discover new solutions, and make the most of your time at the conference.

A Peer Review Team (PRT) visit can be one of the most pivotal moments in a school’s accreditation journey. This session offers a practical, candid look at the PRT process through the eyes of experienced volunteer reviewers who have served on teams around the world. They will share what schools can do to prepare effectively, the common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for creating an open, productive environment that supports a smooth and meaningful visit. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to raise specific questions, explore real scenarios, and leave feeling more confident, prepared, and empowered for their upcoming PRT engagement.

Building on the themes of the Research Impact Task Force’s exposure draft framework, this session explores how business schools can demonstrate that their research makes a difference - beyond publications and rankings. Highlighting examples from schools across the MENA region, panelists will discuss how they define, measure, and communicate research impact. They will share strategies that uphold scholarly rigor while also ensuring societal, business, and policy relevance. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating impact into their research culture, strengthening institutional narratives, and positioning their schools as drivers of meaningful change.

Enjoy coffee and refreshments while connecting with colleagues and peers. Take this opportunity to visit the Exhibitor Showcase and discover new ideas and partnerships.

Family businesses have long been a driving force across MENA, fueling entrepreneurship and shaping the economic landscape. As the region undergoes rapid transformation, these enterprises face a pivotal question: how can they honor their heritage while creating meaningful, future-focused impact? This session examines how family businesses contribute to growth, resilience, and innovation, and how their influence extends beyond financial performance. It will explore generational leadership and succession, the balance between tradition and agility, the role of technology in enabling long-term competitiveness, and how education and leadership development help preserve legacy while driving progress and impact.

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

The climate tipping point is approaching faster than anticipated, demanding bold action from business schools worldwide. This session examines what must happen, collectively and urgently, to advance the global Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) 2026 agenda and ensure that schools meaningfully contribute to climate solutions. Speakers will highlight the importance of cross-sector partnerships, international collaboration, and measurable progress aligned with the narrowing SDG 2030 timeline.

Enjoy coffee and refreshments while connecting with colleagues and peers. Take this opportunity to visit the Exhibitor Showcase and discover new ideas and partnerships.

As industries evolve at unprecedented speed, business schools must rethink how they design learning experiences that reflect real-world challenges and employer expectations. This session explores emerging models of industry co-creation from co-designed syllabi and capstone projects to team-taught courses that pair faculty with practitioners. Speakers will highlight approaches for developing employer-verified learning outcomes that strengthen academic rigor, enhance student employability, and ensure programs remain relevant to the region’s rapidly changing economic landscape.

Wrap up the event with a student cultural showcase featuring live music and local food. This closing experience offers attendees a lively taste of local culture and an opportunity to connect in an informal setting.