Global Impact Conference | MENA
March 25 - March 27
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The Global Impact Conference is excited to announce the next edition to be hosted in Abu Dhabi, UAE on March 25 – 27, 2026.
This special regional edition of the Global Impact Conference serves as a unique platform for educators, practitioners, and thought leaders from around the world to convene to network, learn best practices, and collectively work toward making global education accessible and inclusive. With a rich history of hosting high impact professional development experiences, the Global Impact Conference – MENA region by DA Global will provide a unique opportunity to explore inclusive excellence and its impact on global education, but through a regional lens.
The 2026 Global Impact Conference – MENA region edition serves as a reflection of DA Global’s holistic approach to addressing and accelerating access and inclusive student success in all aspects of international education. Our commitment extends to our four areas of practice:
- Global Education & Student Success Alignment
- Technology & Digital Innovation
- People Development & Success
- Global Access & Opportunity
Why Attend?
Whether you’re interested in best practices on advising international students through an inclusive lens, seeking to attract and retain diverse talent in office, or working to increase education abroad participation across the globe, you won’t want to miss the regional edition of the Global Impact Conference! You should attend Global Impact if you are interested in:
- Gaining a better understanding of regional developments in the area of diversity and inclusion in global education.
- Being in a dedicated space to work with colleagues from around the world to generate meaningful responses to the challenges institutions and organizations face providing inclusive support to students who are inbound & outbound.
- Using your time at the conference to identify opportunities to engage and collaborate with colleagues from yours and other institutions.
Who Attends?
The professionals who present at and attend Global Impact come from around the world and range from Senior International and AVPs for Student Affairs to employers and representatives from government agencies. Most often, attendees come from the following types of offices/organizations:
- Higher Education Administrators such as senior leaders, directors and officers, who oversee institutional policies, strategic planning, and resource allocation to enhance student experiences across departments that include, but not limited to, student affairs, international education, career services, accessibility services, and diversity and inclusion.
- Higher Education Staff working directly with students to provide guidance on academic, personal, and career development opportunities.
- Employers committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing students and early-career professionals who bring global competencies, diverse perspectives, and essential skills to their organizations.
- Policy Makers shaping educational frameworks and policies that influence how institutions support student success and engagement on both a domestic and global level.
- Faculty responsible for teaching, mentoring, and conducting research that advances the academic success and growth of students.
- Graduate Students engaged in advanced academic study and research that is related to the advancement of international education practices.Contact: conference@daglobal.org
Presenter Information:
About the Call for Speakers
The goal of Global Impact 2026 – MENA is to convene educators and practitioners to discuss, debate, and chart a path that advances student success and institutional impact through global education.
Global Impact 2026 – MENA will be an opportunity to share innovations, build community, and collaborate around the following four DA Global practice areas for high impact global education:
- Global Education & Student Success Alignment
- Technology & Digital Strategy
- Global Access & Opportunity
- Success for Global Professionals
DA Global invites thought leaders and innovators in student success, education technology, career readiness and global education to submit speaker profiles to join panel sessions, round tables, and workshops by December 11, 2025.
Note: Speakers will be invited to present at sessions taking place on March 25 – 27, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, UAE and should plan to be in attendance for the duration of the conference.
Guidelines & Timeline
Call for Speaker applications will be accepted up until 11:59 PM PST on December 11, 2025.
Speaker applications will be accepted through the form below. On the form you will be asked to provide:
- Your Name, Title, and Organization
- Brief Biography: Highlight your expertise, focus areas, and any notable accomplishments.
- Select up to 3 topics of interest: Select the themes and topics you’d be interested in presenting on.
- You will have the option to suggest a session topic that complements the curated curriculum that DA Global has set forth. This is optional.
- Previous Speaking Experience: Share any prior panel experience or relevant speaking engagements, if available.
- Agree to the DA Global Non-Comercial Policy
All participants who are accepted (chairs, presenters, and panelists where applicable) are required to register for Global Impact 2026 – MENA by January 30, 2026 and attend the Summit to present their scheduled session. Presenters will receive a 10% discount on registration pricing. This discount will be valid for all registrations prior to January 30th.
Please be sure to add conference@daglobal.org to your email safe list to be sure email notifications are delivered to you.
All applications must be submitted through the application form in order to be considered.
We are looking for individuals who:
- Have knowledge and deep understanding of the topics and themes that will be discussed at Global Impact 2026 – MENA
- Bring a fresh perspective, innovative ideas, or practical solutions to the table
- Are comfortable engaging in open, respectful, and interactive discussions with other panelists
- Can provide thought-provoking content that will inspire and inform our attendees
- Though not a requirement, professionals working in the MENA region are highly encouraged to submit a speakers profile.
Reasons to Submit Your Name for Consideration:
- Platform for Influence: Share your expertise with a targeted audience of higher education professionals, thought leaders, and those interested in advancing student success and career readiness through global learning opportunities.
- Collaborative Experience: Engage in meaningful dialogue alongside fellow practitioners and thought leaders.
- Network and Connect: Connect with new colleagues and expand your professional network.
Submission Format
Speakers will be selected to be presenters of a concurrent session topic or plenary session. Concurrent sessions will be a duration of 60 minutes and should include interactive content that allows attendees to leave with practical tools and strategies to implement in their professional endeavors.
Session Topics
DA Global has curated a curriculum of session topics for the conference and is seeking expereinced and dynamic speakers to develop the content. Prospective speakers should choose up to three (3) session topics that they are able to speak to. Please find a list of the curated session topics below.
- Preparing Today’s International Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce — How institutions align global and experiential learning along with employer partnerships so international students translate global study into career readiness and impact.
- Unique Mental Health & Wellbeing Considerations for Study to & from MENA — Culturally grounded approaches that support student wellbeing across languages, faith, family expectations, and cross-border transitions.
- Tech for Global Education: What’s Actually Working? — Practical, people-first uses of digital tools that expand reach, improve student support, and strengthen collaboration without turning staff into technologists.
- Making the Student Success Case for International Education to Campus Leadership — How to build deeper support for global learning among campus leadership by framing international education as a key driver to improving student success.
- Codeswitching: Preparing Students and Faculty for Shifting Language on Inclusion — How evolving words—and actions—around inclusion shape belonging and expectations for those coming to MENA and those leaving it.
- The Value of International & Experiential Study Through the Lens of Global Employers — What employers say global and experiential learning uniquely delivers, from teamwork across cultures to problem-solving on real projects.
- The Role of the Global University in Navigating Conflict, Dialogue, Transformation — How campuses cultivate dialogue, resilience, and civic readiness amid geopolitical tension while keeping learning and community at the center.
- Partnerships that Drive Real Collaboration & Innovation — Models that move beyond finance-only deals to co-created programs, research, and talent pathways linking MENA and global institutions.
Ready to Submit?
Submit your speaker application by December 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST to be considered!
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