QF and IASAS sign agreement at WISE 12 Summit to strengthen support for students across the Middle East

Doha, Qatar: The support networks that enrich university life for students across the region are to be strengthened through a partnership between Qatar Foundation and the International Association of Student Affairs and Services, announced during the WISE 12 Summit.

The collaboration will see the creation of a new regional association to advance student affairs and services in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia which will be managed by Qatar Foundation (QF).

IASAS will also support the establishment of a Certificate in Student Affairs Leadership and Practice – cultivating the capacity to provide learners with elements that are central to their university experience, such as academic advice and support, study skills development, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, sports and cultural programs, career guidance, and personal counseling.

QF and the International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS) will work together to organize workshops that strengthen the field of student affairs and services across the region. They will also promote dialogue and knowledge-sharing in the Global South through joint research projects and symposiums.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at WISE 12, the biennial international gathering of education expertise hosted by QF’s global education initiative WISE at Qatar National Convention Centre.

Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education and Education Advisor, QF, said: "This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important moment for Qatar Foundation and for our region.

“At QF, we believe that student affairs is a cornerstone of a thriving educational ecosystem, and this partnership with IASAS allows all of us to learn global best practices while sharing Qatar’s knowledge and experiences with the world. Together, we will enhance standards of practice, expand opportunities for student engagement, strengthen student support programs, and elevate the student affairs profession across higher education institutions in Qatar, the MENA region, and beyond.”

Professor Dr. Birgit Schreiber, President of IASAS, said: “IASAS is proud to formalize this partnership with Qatar Foundation that reflects our shared commitment to advancing social justice through supporting student affairs and services across the Middle East and the wider region.

“As a global organization, we place great value on elevating local initiatives and ensuring that regional voices shape our global efforts to support students and institutions. Together, we are building pathways for professional development, research, and leadership that will empower institutions across the Global South and support the next generation of student-centered innovation.”

Dr. Abdulnassir S. Al Tamimi, Executive Director of Student Services within QF’s Higher Education division, said: "The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding reflects Qatar Foundation’s strong commitment to elevating the support and services we provide to all our students in Education City and across the wider region.

“Our collaboration with IASAS creates new opportunities to learn from global leaders, exchange best practices, and amplify the impact of student-centered programs. Our goal from this partnership is to build a stronger, more connected student affairs and services community in Qatar and the wider region that supports students’ growth and well-being in today’s increasingly complex world."

Ahead of WISE 12, QF hosted IASAS’ Annual Global Student Affairs Association Leaders Meeting at Education City, bringing together presidents, executives, and senior representatives of student affairs and services associations from around the world.

Held on an annual basis, the meeting is a platform for building networks, discussing challenges, and sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices to advance student development and support globally.

In a keynote session focusing on how geopolitical tensions – such as conflicts, visa restrictions, and regional instability – can impact student mobility, access to education, and academic prospects, Dr. Fanta Aw, President of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said: “Academics alone is not enough for universities – they have to have an ecosystem of holistic support for students, and have to ensure that every single student who steps through their doors has the opportunity to succeed.

“I have often said that diversity is not enough. Diversity is not equity, and diversity is definitely not inclusion. Our work has to be about inclusion first, because it is not enough to simply open doors for students.”

And a panel discussion on how leaders in student affairs and services can contribute to keeping university campuses safe, inclusive, and supportive in a turbulent world saw Ryan McLawhon, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Academic Services at QF partner university Texas A&M University at Qatar, speak about how COVID-19’s impact on students endured beyond the pandemic itself.

“One of the most difficult challenges that we – as administrators, faculty, and certainly students – have faced is the post-COVID transition back to what we might consider a ‘normal’ environment,” he said.

“This environment was new for a lot of students who finished high school and started university in an online environment, where they felt isolated and there was a disconnect; then, all of a sudden, COVID was considered to be over and we expected them to act the same way that students had four or five years previously. That wasn’t a reality that was comfortable for them.”

Dr. Al Tamimi said: "Hosting the IASAS Global Student Affairs Association Leaders Meeting in Education City has been a privilege for Qatar Foundation. Over two days of honest dialogue and collaborative reflection, we saw how deeply united student affairs leaders are in their commitment to developing students, supporting their success, and promoting their overall well-being.

“The conversations here in Doha highlighted shared challenges, strengthened global networks, and opened new opportunities and pathways for cooperation. We are proud that Qatar and QF can serve as a platform for shaping the future of student affairs in the region and worldwide."