Shortlist
We are delighted to announce this year's shortlisted institutions across our ten categories. Click on 'Show more' for details about an institution's submission.
Al-Ahliyya Amman University
Al-Quds University
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
Khalifa University
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
King Faisal University
Kurdistan Technical Institute
Palestine Ahliya University
Ajman University
AU’s transformation from historic to pioneering began in 2017 with a new Chancellor's arrival and a new Cabinet's formation. They established a “stakeholder compass” for purpose-driven and evidence-based excellence globally. Energized by an ambitious Strategic Plan and a new “Make It Happen” motto, AU went from unrealized potential to global recognition.
In eight years, AU achieved 19 international accreditations for programs from prestigious accrediting bodies and debuted in THE 2025 World University Rankings among the top 401-500 institutions. AU is also the first private, non-profit university in the Arab region to receive international accreditation from WSCUC in USA.
How exactly did leadership make it happen?
• Tracking accountability and alignment
• Data-driven decision-making
• Investments in professional development and teamwork
• Increasing research and innovation capacity
• Fostering social impact and inclusion
Today, AU is a regional leader in social impact, youth empowerment, and transformational change.
Al-Quds University
An-Najah National University
Benha National University
ESLSCA University
German Jordanian University
University of Anbar
University of El Oued
Murad Al-Rajab, Abu Dhabi University
Imad Barsoum, Khalifa University
Chhaya Akshay Divecha, National University of Science and Technology
Dana Kakeesh, The University of Jordan
Amr Mamdouh, Alamein International University
Zahy Ramadan, Lebanese American University
Azzam Abu Rayash, Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Fouad Zablith, American University of Beirut, Suliman S Olayan School of Business
Ajman University
Al-Ahliyya Amman University
An-Najah National University
Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Tanta Univesity
University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech
University of Al Maarif
University of Sharjah
Al Balqa Applied University
As the leader of the INTERNISA project in Jordan, Al Balqa Applied UniversityBAU seeks to assist NEET women in rural communities through digital business growth opportunities and digitisation skills. It solves three primary development concerns through its educational services and digital skills training for agriculture, tourism, textiles and finance. Through BAU’s INTERNISA Offline Spot, local women accessed business prospects after receiving education and individual career support from this platform. INTERNISA trained 135 female students and 30 business entrepreneurs by implementing work programmes and digital skills training to boost workplace effectiveness. This resulted in lasting partnerships between government and business entities to lock in sustainable project results. Recognising these achievements, the United Nations appointed BAU as Global Hub Chair for SDG 4 (quality education) (2025-27), citing INTERNISA as a model of inclusive digital empowerment for regional and global development.
Al-Ahliyya Amman University
Al-Quds University
An-Najah National University
Saint Joseph University of Beirut
The British University in Egypt
The University of Jordan
University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech
Abu Dhabi University
An-Najah National University
Khalifa University
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Middle East College
National University of Science and Technology
Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Taibah University
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, in collaboration with the University of South Carolina
Gulf Medical University
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Ibn Tofaïl University
Qatar University
Taibah University
The University of Jordan
University of Balamand, in collaboration with the Lebanese American University
American University of Sharjah
Badr University in Cairo (BUC)
Jouf University
King Saud University
New York University Abu Dhabi
Prince Sultan University
The Hashemite University
University of Hafr Al Batin
Abu Dhabi University
Alamein International University
Al-Quds University
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
At the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, we believe that creativity is fundamental in today’s AI era. Our Creativity in Action policy seeks to create imaginative, playful and interdisciplinary classrooms. Key to this are four initiatives:
- Riddle games: At the campus-wide level, students solve cleverly constructed riddles as part of a school-wide investigation, learning lateral thinking, collaboration, risk-taking and creativity in an engaging way, that is high in fun and low in pressure.
- Interdisciplinary discussion sessions: Students from various majors work as collaborative groups to design innovative, real-world projects involving interdisciplinary work that rubs up against creative problem-solving.
- Minor in AI for all: Students from all programmes are invited to participate in using AI as a problem-solver to address and innovate in their own discipline.
- Stand outside the crowd: Students use various creative means (such as video, podcast and social media) to explain concepts that encourage self-expression and connections with both academic and real-world communities.
Arab American University
Nile University
University of Al-Qadisiyah
University of Basrah
An-Najah National University
Arab American University
Benha National University
Mohammed V University of Rabat
Since 2023, Mohammed V University of Rabat has digitised its doctoral process, thus meeting national requirements for online registration. This digital system covers the entire doctoral journey, from the preselection of candidates to the issuance of diplomas. Three main platforms have been established:
- Online pre-registration platform
- Online re-registration platform
- ETU platform.
This digital transformation addresses several challenges, including data accumulation, the complexity of archiving and the security of personal data. The roll-out began at the start of the 2023-24 academic year. In 2024, this initiative had several significant impacts:
- More national excellence scholarships awarded to the university
- Faster processing of application files
- Follow-up of joint supervision (cotutelle) thesis
- Quick identification of potential patents
- Follow-up of indexed papers and students’ publications.