Latest news with #EducationalLeadership
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Cognita Middle East Senior Leadership Conference unites leaders to shape the path ahead
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Cognita Middle East brought together 90 senior leaders from across its regional network of schools, for its annual Senior Leadership Conference, held at the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Themed 'Thriving Schools – Being Agile and Leading Through Change, Setting Up Schools for Success', the conference served as a platform for principals, senior leaders, and education experts to collaborate, exchange insights, and align on strategic priorities for the year ahead. The focus was on building resilient, future-ready schools capable of adapting to an ever-changing educational landscape while preserving their distinctive cultures. The programme featured a range of talks and sessions covering leadership in a VUCA world, intelligent accountability, and maximising the impact of digital learning and AI, among many more insightful and engaging topics. These insights were delivered by senior leaders across the Cognita Middle East network, providing practical strategies for school improvement and effective communication. Global Director of Education, Dr. Simon Camby, delivered significant insights in his keynote, addressing the essential role of trust and AI as key considerations for progress in all schools in the modern era. Speaking at the event, David Baldwin, CEO, Cognita Middle East, said: 'In a world where change is constant, our leaders must be agile, innovative, and connected. This conference equips them with the tools and vision to lead with confidence, preserve what makes each school unique, and prepare our pupils for the opportunities of the future.' The conference highlighted Cognita Middle East's ongoing commitment to investing in leadership development, encouraging collaboration across its schools, and driving educational excellence in the region. Cognita Middle East's portfolio includes some of the region's most respected institutions, such as the Repton Family of Schools, Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, Horizon English School, Horizon International School, Ranches Primary School, Al Ain English Speaking School, and Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait. For more information please contact: Plus 1 Communications / Nachwa@ About Cognita Launched in 2004, Cognita is an extraordinary community of schools that span 17 countries and share one common purpose: to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With over 100 schools in Europe and the US, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, Cognita employs over 18,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 90,000 students. Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, to develop all-round academic excellence – equipping young people with the agency, adaptability and positive attitudes that prepares them to grow, thrive and find their success in a rapidly evolving world. Cognita Middle East has nine schools within its portfolio, including: RGS Guildford Dubai, Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi, Horizon English School, Horizon International School, Ranches Primary School and Al Ain English Speaking School in the UAE, and Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
The University of Manchester-Dubai offers student scholarships to professional educators
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The University of Manchester-Dubai, the Middle East branch of one of the world's leading universities, has announced the availability of scholarships to support eligible exceptional candidates from the Middle East applying to join the multiple award-winning part-time MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) programme, at the next annual intake, in September 2025. Each scholarship is worth GBP5,000 (five thousand pounds – equivalent to almost 30% of total programme tuition fees) towards tuition fees and is open to all prospective students across several categories, including women in education; Emirati nationals; and young potential leaders. The scholarships will be awarded to working professional educators who have a track record of academic excellence, as well as outstanding personal and career achievements. Interested candidates should go to and submit a short, written application detailing the reasons why they deserve a scholarship; the deadline for applications is 31st August 2025. The multiple award winning two-year part-time MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) degree is designed to give students the tools to be a Principal, Head, Board-Member, NGO leader, administrator, middle manager, and policy maker. Students participate in group work and discussion forums and have the chance to develop their professional networks with global educational leaders, academics, specialists, policy makers, and public figures from across the globe. MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) helps develop intellectual skills by critically examining and analysing theoretical perspectives in educational leadership. It also develops practical skills in applying research findings to students' various workplaces, countries and situations. The programme is tailored for working professionals and delivered in a flexible blended learning format which allows for self-paced study along with the online component and face-to-face course workshops. The MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) programme is faculty-led with leading academics in their fields visiting from Manchester to lead interactive workshops hosted in Dubai. There are also dedicated careers and student & alumni teams to support students along their journey, and after graduation. Another benefit is the chance to network all over the world as part of a regional alumni community of more than 5,500 professionals, and a global community of over 500,000 alumni. The MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) has one of the most diverse student bodies in the University's School of Education, Environment and Development, with nearly 40 different nationalities represented on the student cohorts, since the programme was introduced in 2020. The MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) team has been recognised by the University for its innovations in flexible learning practices and effective use of digital platforms which have significantly enhanced the educational experiences of students who would not otherwise have been able to study at the University. The MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) was also named winner of the Humanities Programme of the Year Award for 2021, as part of the University's Outstanding Staff Awards for Teaching, Learning and the Student Experience. The awards are based on student nominations and allow students to recognise and celebrate those members of staff who have made a significant positive impact on their studies or wider student experience. Randa Bessiso, Founding Director Middle East at The University of Manchester-Dubai, commented: 'The multiple award-winning part-time MA Educational Leadership in Practice programme has proved to be very popular among Middle East educators and the quality of our candidates and students is exceptional. The majority of our students are international schoolteachers and leaders but other students are working in early years, further education, higher education, NGOs and we have a number of students in the state school sector. 'As educators ourselves, we believe education can change people's lives and should be a priority. Dubai's vision for 2071 aims to create the best education system in the world. We want to make the MA Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) programme more accessible to deserving candidates, so we announced this scholarship programme to support exceptional prospective students in joining us, and then using their new skills and learning to make a difference and an impact in their community.' The University of Manchester-Dubai (UoM-D) was recently granted Institutional Licensure by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research UAE (MOHESR) and accreditation of all its academic programmes by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). UoM-D also recently announced the appointment of its first Dubai-based teaching faculty and academic leads in the key areas of Research, and Teaching & Learning. About The University of Manchester Part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, The University of Manchester is a centre of teaching excellence, world-class research, outstanding student experience, and social responsibility. Its research and innovation track record includes creating the world's first artificial nuclear reaction, building the modern computer, isolating graphene, pioneering development economics, and transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment across the world. The University celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024. About The University of Manchester-Dubai The University's branch at Dubai Knowledge Park opened in 2006 and is the largest and fastest growing in the University's international network comprising five hubs in key business cities around the world. The branch has supported 3,600 Manchester Global Part-time master's students in the region and graduated over 2,650 MBA students. The branch also works in regional collaborations with a range of industry groups, professional bodies and companies, and supports a regional alumni base of over 5,500. Issued on behalf of The University of Manchester-Dubai by WPR: Media contact: Jonathan Walsh, jon@
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Science
- Zawya
AUB President Fadlo R. Khuri elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The sixteenth president of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Lebanon and Cyprus, has been elected as a new fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the category of Educational and Academic Leadership. This latest milestone recognizes Dr. Khuri's exceptional contributions to the advancement of education, as well as his steadfast leadership in the academic sphere during a decade plagued by overlapping crises, placing him among a select group of global leaders. As an honorary society and an independent research center, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences convenes exceptional global leaders renowned for their excellence that span across disciplines, professions and perspectives. All of its members have impacted the lives of people and societies, leaving their mark in every field of human endeavor. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1780 by, among others, John Adams, the second President and first Vice President of the United States; American political and intellectual leader James Bowdoin; and American statesman John Hancock. Its first elected class included U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin and first U.S. President George Washington. In response to the news, Dr. Khuri remarked, 'I am particularly proud to have been nominated by Board Chair Emeritus Philip S. Khoury for work we have all done together over the last decade at AUB.' He added, 'Being selected among a constellation of global leaders and pioneers is truly humbling. And my mother will no doubt be thrilled that I was elected in the same class as Gloria Steinem, one of her heroes and one of feminism's greatest champions.' Chairman of the American University of Beirut (AUB) Board of Trustees Abdo G. Kadifa, commented on the announcement, stating, 'Since assuming office in 2015, Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri has been a transformative leader. Under his guidance, AUB has navigated significant challenges, including economic crises, the Beirut explosion on August 4, 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while achieving remarkable milestones such as the reintroduction of academic tenure, the establishment of AUB Online, and the launch of AUB Mediterraneo, the university's first twin campus outside Lebanon. Dr. Khuri's leadership has also been instrumental in enhancing AUB's global reputation, reflected in its dramatic rise in international rankings.' He concluded, 'Dr. Khuri's election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is a testament to his unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovative leadership, and the betterment of society through education and research.' American Academy of Arts and Sciences President Laurie L. Patton commented on the academy's newest class: 'These new members' accomplishments speak volumes about the human capacity for discovery, creativity, leadership, and persistence. They are a stellar testament to the power of knowledge to broaden our horizons and deepen our understanding.' She added, 'We invite every new member to celebrate their achievement and join the Academy in our work to promote the common good.'
