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Gulf Fellowship Network Forum 2026: Festival of Teaching and Learning

Recognising Excellence, Building Integrity, Inspiring Change

6 – 7 November 2026, Ajman University, UAE
Price: 150 AED

The Gulf Fellowship Network Forum 2026 is a landmark event bringing together higher education leaders, faculty members, and Fellows committed to teaching excellence and continuous professional development (CPD). This forum is designed to empower educators, foster collaboration, and drive innovation in teaching and learning across the Gulf region.

Building on the success of the inaugural Forum held on May 1, 2025, in Dubai under the theme Promoting Excellence in Higher Education Teaching, the 2026 Forum marks a significant advancement for the region. This edition brings together three major events under one integrated platform: the Advance HE Forum, the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Conference, and the Symposium on Academic Integrity (SAI).

This combined forum is the first of its kind in the Gulf, uniting higher education leaders, faculty, researchers, Advance HE Fellows, and academic integrity advocates. The event is dedicated to elevating teaching excellence, strengthening professional recognition, expanding SoTL research, and promoting ethical academic practice across the region.By integrating these three streams, the 2026 Forum will spark deep cross-disciplinary dialogue on pedagogy, innovation, integrity frameworks, and faculty development strategies.

Why attend?

Gain Insights from Experts – Hear from distinguished keynote speakers and panellists.
Engage in Professional Development – Participate in panel discussions, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions.
Expand Your Network – Connect with educators, Fellows, and academic leaders from across the region.
Recognize Teaching Excellence – Celebrate institutions and individuals advancing higher education excellence.
Explore the Latest Trends – Learn about AI in education, assessment strategies, faculty development, and more.

Who should attend?

Current and aspiring Advance HE Fellows (D1–D4)
Higher education faculty and teaching staff
University leaders and academic administrators
Faculty developers and mentors
Teaching and learning professionals

Book your place now

“The Advance HE Gulf Fellowship Network was founded to create more than a community it was established to elevate the visibility and impact of educators whose work shapes the future of higher education. The Forum represents a key milestone in this journey. Building on the momentum of our inaugural gathering, this second edition expands its scope to integrate the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Conference and the Academic Integrity Symposium, reflecting our shared commitment to advancing teaching excellence in a holistic and sustainable way.

This Forum is where recognition becomes action. It is where Fellows, institutional leaders, and aspiring educators come together to share practice, challenge thinking, and support one another in navigating an increasingly complex academic landscape. It is also where institutions demonstrate their commitment to investing in their faculty—recognising that empowered educators are the foundation of meaningful student success.

I look forward to welcoming you to this next chapter, and to continuing, together, the work of shaping a culture where educators are recognised, supported, and empowered to lead. “

Dr Mahinour Ezzat, SFHEA
Founder, Advance HE Gulf Fellowship Network
Director of Teaching and Learning, Ajman University

Call for video submissions – Beyond the Recognition: Fellowship in Practice

Are you an Advance HE Fellow, Senior Fellow, or Principal Fellow? We want to hear from you.

As part of the Gulf Fellowship Forum 2026, we’re curating a short-form video showcase that captures the real impact of Fellowship recognition on your teaching, leadership, or institutional culture. Whether it’s how you lead colleagues, design learning experiences, or shape student engagement, your story can inspire others across the region.

What to share

Choose from one of the themes below:

Transformation in Practice – How has your Fellowship recognition changed how you teach, lead, support, or influence others?
From PSF to Practice – Share a concrete example where you applied one of the PSF 2023 Areas of Activity (e.g., A1, A2, A4) in your role.
What’s Next? – How are you building on your Fellowship to grow, mentor others, or shape institutional strategy?

Submission details

Please send your videos to communications@advance-he.ac.uk.

Format: up to 1-minute video (recorded in landscape)
Language: English
Deadline: 1 October 2026
Keep it focused, choose one example or story
Be authentic this is not a presentation, it’s your voice

Submit video

10th Annual Conference of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Celebrate a decade of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at the 10th Annual SoTL Conference, part of the 2026 Festival of Teaching and Learning. The conference showcases evidence-based teaching practices and impactful interventions that support student learning and academic success. Learn more about this special anniversary event and how it continues to advance teaching excellence across higher education.

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3rd Annual Symposium on Academic Integrity

Now in its third year, the Symposium on Academic Integrity is part of the 2026 Festival of Teaching and Learning, continuing its mission to strengthen ethical practice across education. Established in 2024 as a regional platform, the Symposium brings together voices from schools, students, and higher education to explore evidence‑informed approaches to integrity, responsible assessment, and the evolving impact of generative AI. Under the theme Recognising Excellence, Building Integrity, Inspiring Change, it highlights practical ways to foster trust, leadership, and sustainable culture across the educational landscape.

Find out more