Zayed University successfully hosted the 7th Explorance Bluenotes MENA conference from November 5-7 at its Dubai Convention Center, welcoming educators, Institutional Research / Effectiveness heads, researchers, and technology leaders from across the region. The conference, themed "Synergizing Perspectives: Harnessing Feedback Analytics and AI to Empower Student Engagement and Institutional Excellence," explored the transformative role of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing higher education.

The conference served as a platform for more than 250 participants representing over 70 academic institutions from 12 countries, as well as representatives from the UAE’s Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Dubai’s Human Development Authority, enabling the exchange of insights on utilizing feedback analytics to boost student and faculty engagement, support strategic planning, and foster institutional growth. For the seventh year in a row, Zayed University, known for its leadership in educational innovation, hosted the event, which was attended by renowned regional and international universities, including the American University of Sharjah, the American University in Cairo, Coventry University, King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, and the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Prof. Michael Allen, Acting Vice President of Zayed University, said: "Zayed University is committed to shaping the future of education by embracing data-driven insights, and the Bluenotes conference is one of the highlights of our year. This event brings together forward-thinking voices in education for hugely insightful discussions, which help us better serve our students and communities.”

The conference featured keynotes, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops, providing attendees with opportunities to learn from global and regional leaders in quality assurance, institutional research, and AI-driven insights. Highlights included sessions on how data and benchmarking can drive institutional excellence and support decision-making that aligns with students' evolving needs.

As part of the event, Zayed University, Ajman University and the American University of Sharjah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which establishes a consortium focused on benchmarking and data-sharing to enhance institutional effectiveness. Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, and Dr. Tod Alan Laursen, Chancellor of the American University of Sharjah, were present at the signing alongside ZU’s Acting Vice President, Professor Michael Allen, underscoring their institutions' commitment to the initiative.

On the sidelines of the conference, the three universities strengthened their partnership with Explorance, the technology provider supporting the consortium's efforts in developing this initiative, following two years of successful collaboration. Explorance's advanced solutions offer real-time feedback analytics powered by artificial intelligence, enhancing the ability to make informed, data-driven decisions. This formal partnership reflects Zayed University's commitment to a strategic, data-centric approach to achieving institutional excellence and fostering sustainable growth.