Khalifa University to host 400 global higher education leaders at Abu Dhabi summit

Khalifa University of Science and Technology will host more than 400 higher education leaders in Abu Dhabi later this month for a regional summit focusing on the future of universities, research and workforce development.

The QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East 2026, organised by global higher education analytics and rankings organisation Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), will take place from Nov 22 to 24 at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

Themed ‘Future-Ready Universities, Future-Ready Economies’, the three-day event will bring together representatives from academia, government and industry to examine how universities can contribute to economic growth, technological development and the changing demands of the labour market.

According to the organisers, discussions will cover the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies into university strategies, research collaboration, graduate skills and the development of innovation-led economies.

UAE higher education minister to deliver keynote address

Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, will deliver the keynote address. Khalifa University President Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri will deliver the opening remarks.

The programme will include presidential roundtables, strategic workshops and discussions involving university leaders, policymakers and industry representatives. It will also feature start-ups and innovations showcasing technologies and approaches relevant to the future of higher education.

The agenda will examine how universities can align graduate capabilities with workforce requirements while strengthening research, innovation and international partnerships.

Khalifa University highlights research and innovation role

Khalifa University said its role as host reflects its focus on connecting academic research with technological development and enterprise.

The university is ranked 147th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, making it the first institution in the UAE to enter the global top 150, according to the announcement.

Its research and innovation activities include work in science, engineering and advanced technology, alongside incubation, commercialisation and start-up development.

The summit is expected to provide a platform for universities and other stakeholders to discuss partnerships and approaches to strengthening higher education systems across the Middle East.