A landmark international higher education conference hosted for the first time in Qatar
Oryx University in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (UK), successfully concluded the Students at the Heart Conference – Qatar Edition 2025 (SATH-QR 2025). The two-day event, held at the university’s Doha campus, brought together more than 150 university leaders, academics, policymakers, and representatives from various industry sectors from within Qatar and abroad.
This conference marks the first international edition of Liverpool John Moores University’s Students at the Heart series and the first time it has been held outside the United Kingdom — a milestone that reflects Qatar’s growing position as a regional hub for academic excellence and innovation in higher education.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Mr. Azmy Ameer, President of Oryx University, and a message from Professor Mark Power, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, followed by a keynote address delivered by H.E. Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Naimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
In his remarks, Dr. Al-Naimi reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to advancing education and fostering innovation in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Mr. Azmy Ameer, President of Oryx University, and a message from Professor Mark Power, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, followed by a keynote address delivered by H.E. Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Naimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
In his remarks, Dr. Al-Naimi reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to advancing education and fostering innovation in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The conference opened with a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “The Journey of Higher Education in Qatar: Past, Present, and Future.” Moderated by Prof. Mohammed Najdawi, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Oryx University, the panel featured leading figures in Qatar’s academic landscape: Prof. Mariam Al-Maadeed, Dr. Khalid Naji, Dr. Abdullah Khalid Al-Ali, and Sheikh Nasser Al-Thani, Chairman of Qetaifan Projects. Together, they reflected on Qatar’s educational evolution from its foundational years to its emergence as a global center for research and innovation and discussed how the sector can continue to evolve to meet national and international priorities.
Continuing the theme of educational transformation, the panel “AI-Enabled Digital Transformation in Teaching and Learning” brought together Dr.Moheeb Abualqumboz, Dr.Hasan Haroglu, and Prof. Omar Alfandi, under the moderation of Dr.Haytham Besaiso, Associate Professor of Project Management at Oryx University. The session explored the integration of artificial intelligence in academic environments, highlighting its potential to personalize learning, optimize assessments, and support the development of future-ready graduates while maintaining academic integrity and ethical balance in the age of automation.
Another major highlight was the Day 2 panel discussion “What Industry and Community Need from Higher Education: Bridging the Gap Between Academic Excellence and Real-World Impact,” moderated by Dr. Abdulla Al-Mehshadi, CEO of Al Waab City. The distinguished panelists — Dr. Abdulla Al Wahedi of Kahramaa, Mr. Mohamed Jaber Al Sulaiti of Masraf Al Rayan Bank and Al Ahad Holdings, Mr. Ahmed Al-Hammadi, Director-General of the National Cyber Security Agency, and Sh. Dr. Athba Thamir Al-Thani, Advisor to the Minister of Labour, underscored the urgency of aligning educational outcomes with the dynamic needs of the labor market. They emphasized the value of practical experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lifelong learning as cornerstones of sustainable national development in a rapidly digitizing economy.
The final panel, “Transnational Education in Qatar and the Region: Recent Developments and the Future Ahead,” moderated by Dr. Abdulla Yaqoub Al Sayed, President of the Lean Construction Institute – Qatar, featured Dr. Khalifa Alyafei (QFBA-Northumbria University), Dr. Shaker Lashuel (Global Studies Institute – Arkansas State University Qatar), and Dr. Farrah Anne Robert (YPC International College). The discussion focused on the growing role of transnational education (TNE) in Qatar and the wider Gulf region, addressing topics such as quality assurance, institutional collaboration, and regional capacity-building. Panelists highlighted Qatar’s leadership in providing globally recognized education opportunities while strengthening partnerships that enhance both academic and professional mobility.
Across the two days, the conference hosted numerous research presentations, workshops, and academic exhibitions addressing the most prominent trends shaping higher education today, including artificial intelligence and the future of learning, digital transformation, sustainability and well-being, pedagogical innovation, and career readiness.
A defining feature of SATH-QR 2025 was the active participation of students, who presented papers and research projects from universities across Qatar and the region, including Qatar University, Zayed University, the American University of Sharjah, Gulf Medical University, and Oryx University.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Azmy Ameer, President of Oryx University, expressed pride in the event’s success, describing it as:
“A historic moment in the journey of higher education. Hosting the ‘Students at the Heart’ conference in Doha embodies the truth that educational excellence knows no borders. Our shared mission is to empower generations and shape the future.”
He added:
“This conference is more than an academic gathering — it is an invitation to learn together, exchange ideas, and explore new ways to truly place students at the heart of higher education.”
The conference concluded with a closing ceremony and BBQ dinner at the terrace of Oryx University’s campus in Doha.
