BEIRUT (Enmaeya News) — September 19, 2025
TransformED 2025, a landmark regional summit focused on the future of higher education, began Thursday at the American University of Beirut, drawing hundreds of educators, students, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the Middle East and beyond.
Organized by the Abdulla Al Ghurair Hub for Digital Teaching and Learning at AUB, the two-day summit is designed to explore how universities can respond to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, shifting workforce demands, and the growing need for accessible and equitable education. The event runs through Friday, with keynotes, panels, and workshops hosted in venues across the AUB campus, including the Charles Hostler Auditorium and the Innovation and Engineering Center.
The summit’s overarching theme, “Empowering Learner Experience,” is addressed through three main strands: expanding open access to education in the MENA region, improving educational standards through technology and inclusion, and equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professions and workforce of the future.
Thursday’s opening session featured welcoming remarks by AUB President Fadlo R. Khuri and leaders from the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, setting the stage for discussions on digital education, innovation, and resilience in times of crisis.
A highlight of the day was a panel exploring strategies for sustaining online and hybrid learning during emergencies, followed by breakout workshops covering micro-learning, open educational resources, and personalized approaches to teaching.
Friday’s program promised a series of high-profile keynote speeches and panels, including presentations by Hoda Sleilaty Younan, chief operating and marketing officer at Microsoft Middle East and Africa. Sessions examined bridging the skills gap, industry-academia collaboration, curriculum reform, and preparing learners for the evolving demands of the labor market.
The summit also featured an industry fair showcasing innovative education technology solutions, offering attendees the chance to interact directly with companies and organizations driving change in the sector.
Enmaeya was among the exhibitors at TransformED 2025, presenting its work as a development and education-focused platform. The portal engaged attendees by showcasing digital initiatives that support learning, innovation, and knowledge exchange across the region.
TransformED 2025 underscores a broader trend in the Middle East and North Africa: universities and education hubs are increasingly embracing digital transformation, striving to make learning more inclusive, resilient, and aligned with the needs of the 21st-century workforce.
Organizers say the summit not only highlights best practices but also foster collaboration between educators, students, policymakers, and industry leaders, creating a platform for actionable change across the region.
