Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, and Adrian Kearney, Regional Director of IB in Africa, Europe and Middle East, inaugurated the UAE Higher Education Forum on Tuesday at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi campus.

The one-day event brought together government officials, universities, and schools to network and discuss issues pertinent to the transition from IB programs to higher education.

"It gives me a great pleasure to address this international gathering of experts, educational leaders, decision makers, and practitioners from schools, universities, and governments to discuss issues pertinent to the transition from IB programs to higher education and develop collaboration ideas on preparing students for the future,'' said Professor AlMehaideb in his keynote speech at the event.

"We, at Zayed University, are very much pleased to welcome and acknowledge the International Baccalaureate program and schools, and we recognize the rigorous and high quality education that the IB students receive, along with the professional development provided to educators and students that improves pedagogy and leadership,'' he added.

Zayed University attracts students from different types of curricula, but we are especially keen to attract the high-achieving IB graduates and consider them some of our most accomplished."

He also pointed out in his address that Zayed University has always been committed to provide a high quality education and to establish a cutting-edge educational environment that promotes innovation and prepares qualified graduates-able to contribute to the development of their society, who are productive, empowered with critical thinking skills, and are open to the world around them.

Addressing attendees from schools, universities, and government entities, AlMehaideb emphasised, "As we meet today, we renew the long-term commitment and the fruitful partnership between higher education institutions and the IB schools, providing our students, who are the focus of our operations, a clear path forward in their educational journey."

The event also saw a keynote address by Dr Naji Al Mahdi, Chief, Qualifications and Awards in Dubai (QAD) at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority of the Emirate of Dubai.

A session was dedicated for IB graduates, who narrated their success stories and explained how the IB prepared them for life beyond the classroom.

Additionally, Queen Rania Teacher Academy, King’s College London, New York University Abu Dhabi, American University of Beirut, and Zayed University participated in a session, where they discussed ways to prepare universities, students, as well as academics for the 21st century.