Digital Education Council

Ajman University's Partnership with the Digital Education Council

In a strategic move that reflects its strong commitment to adopting the latest innovations in digital education, Ajman University officially joined the Digital Education Council (DEC) in November 2025. The University is now among the first institutions in the region to become part of this global network, which brings together more than 130 leading educational institutions worldwide. The membership agreement was signed between Prof. Khaled Assaleh, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Ajman University, and Dr. Alessandro Di Lullo, CEO of the Digital Education Council.

This milestone reflects AU's dedication to advancing technology-driven education and adopting global best practices in digital transformation, ensuring the continuous development of a modern learning ecosystem that enhances the quality of teaching and learning. Through this membership, Ajman University benefits from a wide range of exclusive resources and opportunities offered by the Council, including participation in international workshops and joint educational initiatives that support faculty development and empower students with modern digital learning tools and methodologies.

This membership represents a significant step toward knowledge exchange with leading educational institutions globally, and more importantly, the transformation of this knowledge into practical applications that enhance the educational experience in classrooms and academic programs, preparing AU students for a future rich with digital opportunities. This partnership aligns with Ajman University's ongoing efforts to strengthen its academic innovation and digital transformation strategy, by adopting flexible and integrated learning systems that promote smart education and leverage modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve the teaching and learning experience.

Through its membership in the Council, AU also aims to establish a sustainable model of international collaboration that connects digital knowledge with real-world application, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in shaping the future of higher education regionally and globally.

Key Achievements & Student Engagement

1. Student Representation on International Panel

In January 2026, Sana Abouelnour, a student at Ajman University, represented the University on an international panel hosted by the Digital Education Council. The panel, titled "Student Voices on AI: An Open Discussion on AI Use in Higher Education," featured students from leading institutions across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, including Singapore Management University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, UNSW, Ateneo de Manila University, and The University of Nottingham Ningbo China. This global conversation provided institutions with unfiltered insight into how students are actually using AI, what they expect from their universities, and how to design AI strategies with students rather than about them.

2. Expert Delegate on the ESG & Sustainability Working Group

Demonstrating Ajman University's leadership in sustainability on the global stage, Ms. Maya Haddad, Senior Sustainability Manager at Ajman University, was selected as an Expert Delegate for the Digital Education Council's ESG & Sustainability Working Group for 2026/27, chaired by Paula Bak. Ms. Haddad was nominated for this prestigious role by her colleague Dr. Mahinour Ezzat, SFHEA.

Upon her selection, Ms. Haddad shared her vision for the role, stating: "Sustainability and ESG are no longer peripheral conversations in higher education; they are central to how institutions design curricula, govern operations, prepare future leaders, and demonstrate accountability to the societies they serve. Embedding ESG thinking into the DNA of higher education is one of the most consequential levers we have for shaping resilient, future-ready institutions".

As part of this international working group, she is contributing to shaping the higher education sustainability agenda beyond the current SDG framework. The working group launched the landmark report "Re-Defining Sustainability: A Higher Education Perspective for Post-2030," developed with the support of 44 institutions across 25 countries and regions. The report highlights emerging sustainability priorities for the post-2030 agenda, current institutional commitments and progress, innovative sustainability initiatives shaping the sector, and key sustainability performance drivers. Ms. Haddad's selection as an Expert Delegate underscores AU's growing influence in global sustainability discourse and its commitment to advancing ESG principles in higher education.

Through its partnership with the Digital Education Council, Ajman University continues to demonstrate its leadership in digital transformation, academic innovation, and student empowerment, preparing its graduates to thrive in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.