Dubai, UAE | 27 February 2026
The Center for Learning Innovations and Customized Knowledge Solutions (CLICKS) has officially announced the shortlisted institutions for the fifth cycle of the Zairi International Awards for Excellence in Higher Education (2025–2026).
Established in 2021 in honor of the late Professor Mohamed Zairi — a global pioneer in quality management and organizational excellence — the Awards recognize higher education institutions that are advancing meaningful, measurable, and sustainable impact within their institutions and across society. Over the years, the Zairi International Awards have grown into a respected global platform celebrating innovation, leadership, and long-term contribution in higher education.
The Awards are endorsed by a range of regional and international organizations and university associations and are designed to spotlight institutions that proactively respond to global educational challenges, drive systemic change, and contribute to national and community development.
The shortlisted institutions were selected through a fully independent and transparent assessment process. CLICKS does not participate in the evaluation or selection of nominees or winners. All submissions are reviewed by an International Assessment Committee composed of globally recognized experts who serve on a voluntary basis, ensuring impartiality and credibility.
During this cycle, the Committee reviewed a highly competitive and diverse pool of submissions from institutions around the world. The shortlisted institutions demonstrated clear, evidence-based and sustainable impact across areas such as digital transformation, disruptive and future-oriented education, community engagement, internationalization, and equity and inclusion. Applications were assessed against predefined criteria, with strong emphasis placed on verifiable outcomes and measurable societal impact.
Shortlisted Categories
The shortlisted institutions have been recognized across the following award categories (in no order):
Award of Excellence for Digital Transformation
o Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Uzbekistan
o Qatar Finance and Business Academy with Northumbria University (QFBA), Qatar
o United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), United Arab Emirates
Award of Excellence for Disruptive Education
o Universidad San Pablo CEU, Spain
o Higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques, University of (Sfax École Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de la Santé de Sfax (ESSTSS), Tunisia
o African Rural University, Uganda
Award of Excellence for Outstanding Non-Profit Contribution to the Community
o Islamic University of Lebanon (IUL), Lebanon
o King Saud University (KSU), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
o Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS), Lebanon
Award of Excellence for Equity and Inclusion
o National University of Córdoba (UNC), Argentina
o Ajman University, UAE
o Evershine Agriculture University, Zambia
Award of Excellence for Internationalization
o Middlesex university Mauritius, Mauritius
o Khalifa University, UAE
o Maaref University of Applied Sciences, Syria
No application was shortlisted this cycle for the Award of Excellence for Research Impact Category.
An independent international jury will now conduct the final round of evaluation to determine the winners in each category. The results will be officially announced during the Opening Ceremony of the 7th edition of the MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum, taking place on 15 April 2026 at the Kempinski Central Avenue, Dubai, UAE.
CLICKS also confirmed that the next cycle of the Zairi International Awards will open for applications on 1 May 2026 and close on 1 October 2026.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Narimane Hadj-Hamou, CEO of CLICKS, stated: “As we mark the fifth cycle of the Zairi International Awards, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the members of our International Assessment Committee and Jury who have, over the years, generously dedicated their expertise, time, and integrity to this initiative on a purely voluntary basis. Their commitment ensures the rigor, transparency, and global credibility of the Awards.”
We warmly encourage higher education institutions worldwide to submit their transformative initiatives for the upcoming cycle. Impact-driven innovation deserves recognition, and we look forward to welcoming the next cohort of institutions shaping the future of higher education.”
The Zairi International Awards continue to serve as a global benchmark for impactful contributions in higher education, recognizing institutions that move beyond aspiration to deliver tangible and lasting transformation.
