Dr. Aawatif Hayar is currently serving as the Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family in Morocco. Prior to her ministerial role, she held the position of President of Hassan II University Casablanca from 2019 to 2021. Dr. HAYAR holds a Ph.D. in Signal Processing and Telecommunications and has a strong academic background with degrees in Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing Image, Telecommunications, and Networks. She has extensive experience in research and teaching, with a focus on topics such as Digital Transformation, Smart Cities, Smart Grids, and Cognitive ICT. Dr. Hayar is actively involved in promoting digital development and social integration in Morocco.

Samantha Miles is an experienced professional in the higher education sector, with a focus on program development and strategic planning. She has held leadership roles in the USA, Australia, and the UAE, overseeing educational programs and national projects in areas such as research output, teaching excellence, and university leadership. Samantha is passionate about experiential education and working with diverse populations. Her research and teaching interests include global dexterity, leadership development, and community engagement. With a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership, she has extensive experience in maximizing program quality and efficiency. Samantha has worked with clients throughout the MENA region and has dual citizenship with New Zealand.

James Gray is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the digital content and education sector. He founded BMBC / Coutts Information Services and grew it into a leading supplier to academic and government libraries worldwide. After selling the business to Ingram Industries, he became CEO and President of Ingram Digital, playing a key role in the eBook industry. In 2012, he launched Kortext, a rapidly growing digital textbook and learning platform that supports universities and students in the transition to mixed/hybrid delivery. Kortext is a leading supplier of digital content solutions to UK universities and has expanded globally.

Abdul ‘Dewale Mohammed (ADM) is a renowned global strategist, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is the founder of Africa Asia Scholars Global Network (AASGON) and the Global South Economic Forum (GSEF), working to advance the Bandung Principle and sustainability in the Global South. ADM is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and has affiliations with various international organizations. With extensive experience in international business and corporate affairs, he has contributed to the promotion of trade, investments, and cultural cooperation between China and Africa. ADM is also a dedicated advocate for children’s rights and has raised significant funds for charitable causes.

Hashem Taani has worked in edtech for the last decade, helping education providers and ministries of education advance their institutional objectives and improve student outcomes. He is a relationship builder, project manager, and business operations expert with a commitment to make education engaging for every learner. In 2003, Hashem earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Yarmouk University.

Dr. Senior is a strategist and designer of face-to-face and distance learning processes, specializing in quality assurance of online education. Founder of Strategy2Learn LLC, a boutique consultancy service that advises institutions on their online education offerings and develops capabilities for instructional designer. For nearly forty years, he has collaborated with institutions of higher education, businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental entities in different regions of the world. He is the Ex-President of the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance & Instruction and current international representative for Quality Matters, an organization in the United States specialized in quality assurance of online courses and programs.