We are inviting submissions for the QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East 2026. Proposals will be evaluated on how well they fit within the Summit theme and objectives, and applicants will be informed about the outcome of the evaluation as soon as possible.
The QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East 2026 will convene regional and global leaders in Abu Dhabi to explore how universities can convert strategic ambition into tangible impact. Under the theme Future-Ready Universities, Future-Ready Economies, the summit examines how higher education can accelerate the UAE’s 2050 knowledge-economy goals by advancing research translation, cultivating frontier talent, and scaling digital and AI innovation. Core tracks will address local relevance with global ambition, research and innovation ecosystems, tech-enabled education and future-ready skills, talent hubs and mobility pathways, entrepreneurial mindsets for institutional transformation, and frontier talent pipelines for high-growth sectors.
Please read our user guide before submitting a proposal.
Please note: We can accept up to three submissions per institution or organisation for QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East 2026. Non-academic organisations are encouraged to focus on impact-led storytelling. Proposals that are too product-focused will be unsuccessful.
Proposal formats
For QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East 2026, we are accepting the following proposal formats:
Case study
30 min | A presentation focused on a specific project or initiative, highlighting impact, learnings and actionable takeaways for other institutions.
Spotlight presentation
12 min | A quickfire presentation to showcase progress and impact in student recruitment, innovation, skills development or digital innovation.
Panelist
60 min | Propose an expert speaker from your institution on the role of education in economic development, the commercialisation of research ecosystems or other topics relevant to the theme.