Today, Thursday 24.03.2022, is the second closing day of the activities of the Fifth International Forum for Higher Education Leaders in the Middle East and North Africa, which is held in Dubai, in the presence of the President of the University, Dr. Zeravan Abdelmuhsen Asaad, and a group of department heads from Cihan University - Duhok.
The third day opened with a scientific debate entitled” Did our Educational System Lose Relevance? What Leaders of HE Have to Say”
Moderator: Prof. Khaled Assaleh,Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Ajman University, UAE

Panelists:
1. Prof. Ruksana Osman, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, The University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
2. Prof. Francisco J. Marmolejo, Higher Education President, Qatar Foundation, Qatar.
3. Prof. Dr. Olgun Cicek, Executive Board Member, YÖDAK (Higher Education Council), North Cyprus.
4. Amanda Crowfoot, Secretary General, European University Association (EUA), Belgium.
5. Scott Shireman, Global Head, Coursera for Campus, USA.
For more details, please visit the link below:

For some time now, 
there has been numerous discussions around the value of universities; COVID-19 pandemic has amplified many of these concerns as higher education institutions transitioned to online learning for over two years. The role, agility and relevance of the sector have been put under scrutinizing and questions started emerging around whether Higher ed. is losing monopoly against other alternative higher education providers who run courses and certify competencies for future skills which are in demand.

It has been agreed that if universities are to prosper, they must be relevant to the societies in which they exist; they should not only be responsive to societal needs and changes but rather be proactive and leading the society.
During the debate, the panel of experts will reflect on the educational system and will aim to address four key questions from different angles as follows:
• What are the experts’ views on the meaning of relevance, excellence, agility and success in higher education?
• How has the pandemic has amplified the questions around relevance and responsiveness of the sector – what are the implications?
• What should universities change to adapt to a fast-changing world and unleash the potential of HE?
• How can higher education adapt to provide long-term economic value, m