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2026 Global Impact Conference | MENA

2026 Global Impact Conference | 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.

About the Call for Speakers

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

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-Commercial 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.

Session Topics

DA Global has curated a curriculum of session topics for the conference and is seeking experienced and dynamic speakers to deliver 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

Session 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.

Ready to Submit?

Submit your application by December 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST to be considered!

Submit a Proposal Today!

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

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.

Registration Type
Members
Non-Members
MENA Institutions or Organizations*
Full-Time Graduate Students**
Low/Medium Income Countries (Members)***
Low/Medium Income Countries (Non-Members)***
Early Bird Registration
(Nov 2025 - Feb 3, 2026)
$645
$795
$545
$399
$550
$450
Regular Registration
(Feb 3 - March 25, 2026)
$795
$945
$595
$499
$650
$550

*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 conference. 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.

**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.

***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.

Verification will be required to finalize registrations for discounted rates. To expedite the process, documentation verifying eligibility for either rate may be sent to conference@daglobal.org.

Registration Details

Members: Register for the summit by logging into the membership portal to receive a discounted price. Note the summit 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.

Regional Institutions of Higher Education: Registration will take place directly though the event platform utilizing the link below. 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.

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). Please note the 10% discount will only be applied to the full summit registration type. The discount does not count towards other registration types.

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.