THE Awards Arab World 2025
"We have always been clear at THE that excellence can be found in universities of all sizes and missions. Rankings certainly offer one important, data-driven measure of esteem, but we know that higher education institutions are made up of teams and individuals displaying creativity and endeavour in an abundance which cannot always be captured by metrics or surveys.
For this year's THE Awards Arab World to have received close to 700 submissions – nearly twice as many as last year – is a sure sign of the sector’s vibrancy in the region, and its resilience in the face of obstacles which to the outside observer seem sometimes insurmountable.
This year’s 80 finalists exemplified these values in spades, and their efforts rightly add to the esteem of the region’s universities. Such inspiring achievements offer hope that, even in times of darkness, our brightest minds can signal a path to a more peaceful and prosperous future.”
– Chris Havergal, editor, Times Higher Education
The winners were announced on 25 November 2025 in Amman, Jordan – view an e-book profiling all the winners. Click on the category names below to read abridged versions of the shortlisted submissions.
Photos from the ceremony are available in our Flickr album here.
International Strategy of the Year
Al-Ahliyya Amman University
Al-Quds University
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
Khalifa University (highly commended)
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
King Faisal University
Kurdistan Technical Institute
Palestine Ahliya University (winner)
Leadership and Management Team of the Year
Ajman University
Al-Quds University
An-Najah National University
Benha National University
ESLSCA University
German Jordanian University
University of Anbar (winner)
University of El Oued
Most Innovative Teacher of the Year
Murad Al-Rajab, Abu Dhabi University (winner)
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
Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership
Ajman University
Al-Ahliyya Amman University
An-Najah National University (winner)
Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Tanta Univesity
University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech
University of Al Maarif
University of Sharjah
Outstanding Contribution to Regional Development
Al Balqa Applied University
Al-Ahliyya Amman University
Al-Quds University
An-Najah National University
Saint Joseph University of Beirut (winner)
The British University in Egypt
The University of Jordan
University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech
Outstanding Support for Students
Abu Dhabi University
An-Najah National University (winner)
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
Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, in collaboration with the University of South Carolina (winner)
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
Research Project of the Year: STEM
American University of Sharjah
Badr University in Cairo
Jouf University
King Saud University
New York University Abu Dhabi (winner)
Prince Sultan University
The Hashemite University (highly commended)
University of Hafr Al Batin
Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year
Abu Dhabi University
Alamein International University
Al-Quds University
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport
Arab American University
Nile University
University of Al-Qadisiyah (winner)
University of Basrah
Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year
An-Najah National University
Arab American University
Benha National University
Mohammed V University of Rabat
National University of Science and Technology
Nile University
Taiz University (winner)
The University of Jordan