gic26 north america menu call for proposals
EventsBecome a Member

DA global logo

Events

Global Impact 2026 | MENA

Global Impact 2026 | MENA

Global Impact Conference 2026 | MENA

Against the backdrop of one of the Gulf’s most dynamic cities, Abu Dhabi, DA Global brings its Global Impact Conference, the most dynamic and collaborative forum on global learning and student success.
Global Impact 2026 - MENA is where educators, inventors, policymakers discuss, debate, and chart pathways that advances student success and institutional impact through global learning.
Global Impact - MENA will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from March 25–27, 2026.

The professional learning opportunities at Global Impact reflects DA Global’s holistic approach to advancing global learning as a catalyst for student achievement, career readiness, and institutional success. Session tracks for Global Impact 2026 - MENA align with the following four DA Global areas of practice:

 

  • Global Education Strategy & Alignment
  • Global Access & Opportunity
  • Technology & Digital Strategy
  • People Development & Success

Why Attend?

Whether you’re leading global strategy and partnership development for your institution, expanding education abroad opportunities, or designing programs that prepare students for success in a global workforce, Global Impact 2026 – MENA is where ideas turn into action.

You should attend Global Impact 2026 - MENA if you are interested in:

  • Understanding regional and global trends that shape institutional strategy and student success through global engagement.
  • Collaborating with peers and decision-makers to identify innovative approaches that integrate global learning into the student experience.
  • Building partnerships and networks that enhance your institution’s global reach, influence, and impact.

Global Impact 2026 – MENA is not only a professional event, but also a strategic platform to shape how global education empowers students to thrive in an interconnected world and how institutions can amplify their impact through meaningful engagement.

Who Attends?

The professionals who present at and attend Global Impact come from around the world and range from Senior International Officers and VPs 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, partnerships development, and resource allocation to enhance student success. Departments/Divisions include, but not limited to, student affairs, international education, career services, academic success, and diversity and inclusion.
  • 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, from ministries of education to other government agencies, who shape 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.
  • Higher Education Staff working directly with students to provide guidance on academic, personal, and career development opportunities.
  • Graduate Students engaged in advanced academic study and research that is related to the advancement of international education practices.

Global Impact 2026 - MENA Registration

Global Impact 2026 - MENA, will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE from March 25 -27, 2026. Information on registration pricing can be found below. Registration will open in early November 2025.

General Registration
Member Registration
Members
Non-Members
MENA Region Institution
Early Full Access (Nov - Feb 20)
695 USD
895 USD
645 USD
Regular Full Access (Feb 21 - Mar 25)
845 USD
1045 USD
745 USD

Additional Pricing Information

Graduate Student and Lower/Medium Income Country rates are available upon request for eligible parties.

Graduate students will be required to provide an official/unofficial transcript or course schedule that shows that they are enrolled in a full-time capacity for the 2025- 2026 academic year. To expedite the verification process for this rate, please reach out to conference@daglobal.org with a copy of an unofficial transcript, class schedule, or letter of enrolllment.

Lower/Medium Income Regions will be defined using the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. Please visit their website to learn more. To gain access to this rate, please reach out to conference@daglobal.org.

Regional Institutions for Global Impact 2026 - MENA is defined as institutions of education that award a degree with a main headquarters based within the immediate region for the current year's summit. This rate is not available to organizations that have a main headquarters in the United States with branches or campuses in the region. The region for this event is Middle East & North Africa (MENA) countries. For further information, please reach out conference@daglobal.org.

Registration Details

Members: Register for the conference by logging into the membership portal to receive a discounted price. Note the conference membership discount based on individual member licenses and not institutional member affiliation. Each institution has a specific number of membership licenses. If you have questions about your membership, please contact us at members@daglobal.org.

Non-Members: Registration will take place directly through the event platform, accessible through the corresponding link above.

Regional Institutions Rate: Registration will take place directly though the event platform utilizing the link above. Individuals utilizing this registration path will be verified after completing the registration process. If a registrant is found not to be based at an institution of higher education based in the MENA region, DA Global will invoice the individual for the appropriate registration type and payment will be expected to be received in full prior to the start of the conference.

Reduced Pricing Information

Graduate Student Rate: This rate category is available to provide full-time graduate students access to the rich learning content available at the summit. Only full-time graduate students not employed full-time should use this registration. Graduate students will be required to submit verification showing full-time enrollment to conference@daglobal.org.

Group discount: Note that five or more individuals from one institution/organization/entity must register for the same registrant type (i.e., 5 full access pass registrations). This 10% discount is available for full access admission pricing and may not be used in conjunction with other discounts.

Cancellations, Refunds, and Payment Methods

Cancellation Policy: If an attendee chooses to cancel their registration please be aware that all cancellation requests are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. Please be aware that no refund requests due to cancellations will be considered after February 20, 2026. If DA Global cancels or postpones the event, attendees can transfer their registrations to a DA Global event taking place in the same calendar year.

Refund Policy: Requests for cancellations and refunds must be received in writing to conference@daglobal.org by February 20, 2026. All registrations are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. No refund requests will be considered or accepted after February 20, 2026.

Payment Methods: Registrants can pay by credit card or ACH/bank wire transfer. For more payment information, individuals can contact conference@daglobal.org.

Schedule of Events*

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

12:00 - 5:00 PM | Registration

Check in for the conference and collect participan materials.

4:00 - 4:30 PM | Coffee Break

Have a coffee with colleagues as we prepare for the opening plenary.

5:00 - 6:30 PM | Welcome & Access & Ambition in the Gulf: Building a Global Learning Hub

Join thought leaders from the MENA region and beyond to explore a confident, human-centered vision for the Gulf as a connected international education hub in our opening plenary session. Discover how UAE and its neighbors are widening access for students from the Global South and the West through scholarships, innovative partnership, technology investment, and industry-linked learning—while showcasing its vibrants culture and global diverse communities.

6:30 - 7:30 PM | Welcome Reception

Continue the conversation from the opening plenary over light refreshments with fellow attendees at the event.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

8:45 AM - 3:30 PM | Registration

The Registration & Information Desk for the conference is open.

9:15 - 10:30 AM | From Vision to Capacity: Building the Global & Experiential Learning Engine

Capacity runs in two directions: welcoming inbound students to MENA and enabling outbound learners from the region to gain world-ready experience. Leaders will explore what it takes to deliver global and experiential learning at scale, including clear cross-unit roles, partner ecosystems with employers and peer universities, and simple technology that extends reach without adding complexity. We will connect local talent goals, educating citizens at home and abroad, with the region’s ambition to serve as a global and experiential learning hub.

10:30 - 11:00 AM | Coffee Break & Partner Chat

Connect and network with other attendees and sponsors over a cup of coffee.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Session Block 1

Various sessions from invited speakers will be available to attendees. Please click here to see a list of available sessions.

12:15 - 1:30 PM | Lunch Conversation Tables

Join with fellow conference attendees for lunch with a side of invigorating conversation.

1:45 - 2:45 PM | Session Block 2

Various sessions from invited speakers will be available to attendees. Please click here to see a list of available sessions.

2:45 - 3:15 | Coffee Break & Partner Chat

Connect and network with other attendees and sponsors over a cup of coffee.

3:15 - 4:15 PM | How Technology is Shaping the Future Global & Experiential Learning

Education technology is proliferating—and global ed tech is maturing fast. This dynamic discussion will explore how technology can strengthen global and experiential learning: expanding capacity to host students, strengthening student success, preparing learners for industry, deepening partnerships, and advancing staff professional growth. Leaders will share principles and examples that travel across contexts—multilingual communication and onboarding, inclusive learning support and assessment, virtual collaboration that seeds mobility and research, and staff development models that keep people at the center.

Friday, March 27, 2026

9:00 - 11:30 AM | Registration

The Registration & Information Desk for the conference is open.

9:30 - 10:30 AM | Session Block 3

Various sessions from invited speakers will be available to attendees. Please click here to see a list of available sessions.

10:30 - 11:00 AM | Coffee Break & Partner Chat

Connect and network with other attendees and sponsors over a cup of coffee.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Closing Plenary: 2030 and Beyond - Tackling Challenges & Opportunities Through Global Education

By 2030, higher education will navigate intersecting forces—climate, inclusion, conflict, and rapid economic change. This closing session explores the Gulf’s role as convener and bridge across regions. Leaders will outline collaborations that translate learning into shared resilience and opportunity: climate-smart mobility and research, campuses that bridge differences, industry-linked curricula and entrepreneurship, and cross-border talent pathways.

12:00 - 1:00 PM | Lunch Conversation Tables

Join with fellow conference attendees for lunch with a side of invigorating conversation.

1:00 - 2:00 PM| Farewell Toast & Networking Marketplace

Wrap up conference discussions and solidify newly formed partnerships at the closing reception for the event.

*Schedule is subject to changes.

Global Impact 2026 - MENA Travel Information

Global Impact 2026 – MENA will take place March 25–27, 2026, on the campus of New York University Abu Dhabi, located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

We look forward to welcoming participants from across the MENA region and around the world. To ensure smooth travel arrangements, we strongly encourage all attendees to check the travel and visa requirements for entering the UAE well in advance of the event.

Visa Guidance

Visa requirements vary by nationality.

All international attendees should contact their local UAE embassy or consulate to confirm the documentation needed for travel, processing timelines, and any additional entry requirements.

Helpful steps for attendees:

  • Review current UAE entry and visa policies for your country of residence
  • Contact your local UAE embassy or consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information
  • Apply for any required visas early to avoid processing delays
  • Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned travel dates

We recommend starting this process as soon as you register for the conference.

If you need an official confirmation of attendance or a registration letter to support your visa application, please contact our team at conference@daglobal.org

Lodging

DA Global Access Network does not have an official room block for this conference, and lodging costs are not included in the registration fee. Attendees of Global Impact 2026 – MENA are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. Guests may book any hotel of their choice, and all reservations, changes, cancellations, and special requests must be made directly with the selected property. While we have provided a list of hotel options, we encourage participants to research accommodations carefully to ensure they meet individual preferences, budget, accessibility needs, and travel requirements.

Recommended Hotels

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Corniche Rd – Al Bateen – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 811 5555

Courtyard World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (5th St), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 698 2222

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 498 8888

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Corniche Road – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 677 3333

Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Al Saadiyat Island - SDN1 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
+97124922222

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
Al Saadiyat Island - SDN1 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
+97124071234

Travel Grant

Global Impact 2026 - MENA is committed to expanding access to meaningful professional development opportunities. To support first-time attendees, a limited number of travel grants are available to help reduce the cost of attending the conference. Grants will be applied directly to the recipient’s conference registration.

These grants are intended for individuals who will benefit professionally from attending Global Impact 2026 -MENA and who can demonstrate how the experience will enhance their work. Applications will be reviewed based on the potential professional impact of attending, how applicants plan to apply what they learn, and alignment with the goals of the conference.

Key Dates:

  • Applications Open: December 15, 2025
  • Application Deadline: February 6, 2026
  • Notification of Awards: February 20, 2026
  • Registration Deadline for Selected Applicants: March 6, 2026

Please Note:

  • Funding is limited, and submitting an application does not guarantee support.
  • Grants are available only to first-time Global Impact attendees.
  • Recipients must attend the conference in person.
  • Grants are applied directly to conference registration and cannot be transferred or deferred.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We  look forward to learning more about your professional goals and how this experience can support your development.

Apply For a Grant

Become a Exhibitor and Sponsor

The Global Impact Conference provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect your brand, educational offerings, career opportunities, and/or services to a diverse population of education professionals and stakeholders committed to addressing and accelerating inclusive excellence in all aspects of global education and cultural exchange. Contact us at partnerships@daglobal.org for sponsorship opportunities.

 

Thank You to Our Host Partner

NYU Abu Dhabi