Deadline: 1-Nov-23

Entries are now open for the Zairi International Awards for Excellence in Higher Education that recognizes and celebrates Higher Education Institutions that have pioneered in specific areas related to digital transformation, community engagement, research, internationalization, equity and access, etc.

Award Objectives

• Objective 1: To celebrate excellence, inspiring efforts, innovation and success stories of higher education institution across the globe.
• Objective 2: To raise the profile of higher education institutions that are committed to creating real and sustainable impact through their digital initiatives, research and innovation or engagement with the community.
• Objective 3: To promote the transfer of best practices and ‘know-how’ among higher education institution across the globe in various contexts and cultural settings.
• Objective 4: To influence future collaborations and cross regional collaborations that could help shape the future of higher education.
• Objective 5: To infuse a culture of honest and ethical competition, while at the same time encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Categories

• Award of Excellence for Digital Transformation
  • Digital transformation has become a key priority for universities and colleges over the past few years which have been intensified by COVID-19 pandemic and the need to urgently transition to online learning. This award recognizes higher education institutions that successfully implemented digital transformation initiatives to solve challenges, operate more efficiently and/or offer a more comprehensive studentcentric learning experience that leverages on the use of technology.
  • This award aims at rewarding those institutions hat keep inspiring others to push the boundaries of higher education technology and innovation.
• Award of Excellence for Outstanding Not-for-Profit Contribution to the Community
  • This award seeks to highlight the incredible achievements of higher education institutions that stands out when it comes to engaging with the community including: volunteerism, community based learning or research, outreach and fostering community partnership, and building institutional commitment to serving the community and public good.
  • HEIs submitting for this award must provide background about the community it is serving as well as the context of its activities prior to describing its activities and how it has involved students and staff to make a difference to the target community.
• Award of Excellence for Disruptive Education
  • This award considers innovative and disruptive higher education institutions that stand out in their approach to shaping and re-imagining the future of higher to meet the challenges of the future.
  • This considers institutional level initiatives and projects that promote innovative and experimental approaches to education whether in relation to the design of new responsive, agile and non-traditional programs, or in re-inventing unique pedagogical ways and methods to teaching and learning that empowers learners, focuses on the 21st century skills and that is aligned to the employability and market needs.
• Award of Excellence for Equity and Inclusion
  • The rapid expansion of higher education over the past few years together with growing technological advancements that led to the emergence of new models of technology enabled education, have made higher education accessible to more students globally. Yet it has also created significant barriers for vulnerable groups. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has amplified issues surrounding access and inclusion as we have witnessed a widening of the digital divide triggered by inequality in access to technology among students at all level.
  • Making higher education more inclusive and accessible is embedded within the Sustainable Development Goals- SDGs 2030 (SDG 4) and perceived as one of the highest priorities of this decade that should be on the agenda of higher education institutions globally.
• Award of Excellence for Internationalization
  • This award recognizes higher education institutions that are making significant,
  • well-planned, well-executed, impactful and sustainable internationalization efforts while embracing innovative and creative approaches.
  • It recognizes and celebrate the outstanding contributions of HEIs that are demonstrating institutional commitment to excellence and leadership in internationalization.

Criteria

• The selected winners are among higher education institutions that demonstrated success stories and created tangible impact within their own context and that can serve as best practice and model to others.
• Institutions of higher education from across the globe may apply for the award. The application should be filled by one of the senior administrators of the institution and must be endorsed by the head of the institution (i.e., Rector, Chancellor, President or equivalent). The endorsement should be in the form of a letter stamped and signed accompanying the application.
• All applications along annexes should be submitted in English Language using the Award Application Form which must be completely filled and submitted by the stipulated deadline. A listing of all annexes accompanying the application as evidences must be included within the same application form.
• If the annexes are submitted as links to virtual spaces, the link must be checked prior to submission.
• The Award Application Form is to be filled in accordance to the criteria of each of the six award categories.
• Whilst the quality of written English is not a criterion for assessing applications, it is strongly recommended that applicants pay particular attention to ensuring that their applications can be properly understood in English.
• The applications itself should not exceed five pages in length excluding annexes. It shall be submitted in MS-Word format in a single-spaced, 12-point Arial style. All headers should be bold and all in capital letters and use 14-point Arial style.
• HEIs may not apply for two awards in the same cycle.
• Winners of the award may not apply for the same category in the next consecutive cycle.
• Applications that do not adhere to the submission guidelines and timelines or which are incomplete will not be considered or forwarded for evaluation by the Assessment Committee. Notification of ineligible applications will be given by the secretariat of the Award.
• Applications are evaluated through a two-stage process based on the selection criteria of each award. Nominees for each for each category may be invited as deemed appropriate by the Jury for a short presentation not exceeding 20 minutes.
• The shortlisted finalists for each award will be announced on the 30th of December, 2023.
• The final winners of the award will be announced during the 6th MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum

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