How can I keep up to date with the latest THE Awards Arab World news?

Please join our mailing list to receive all the latest news about THE Awards Arab World, including key dates and information about the awards ceremony itself. Simply scroll down to Events, and select THE Awards Arab World.

Who can enter?

The awards are open to anyone working in higher education in the following countries or territories:

Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.

Entries can be completed by those working at institutions, or consultants working on an institution’s instruction. If you are entering on behalf of an institution, please ensure that you supply an institutional contact as well as your own.

How do I enter?

Please read our Entry guidelines , then go to the Categories page, and click the ‘Enter now’ button against the relevant category. Please note that all entries must be composed in English.

When can I enter?

The entry window opens on Thursday 26 March 2026 and closes at 14:00 (UK time) on Thursday 14 May 2026. There will be no extensions beyond this deadline, so please ensure you submit everything by then.

How much does it cost to enter THE Awards Arab World?

We are charging £100 per entry for the first five entries from a single institution, at which point a cap will be applied, so whether your institution submits five or 25 entries, the total charge will not exceed £500.*

The reasons for bringing in this charge and advice on how to ensure your institution pays the lowest amount can be found here .

Please note that payment must be made by credit or debit card at the time of submission, as transactions need to be completed in order for the entries to be considered for shortlisting.

*In line with THE company policy, higher education institutions based in counties/territories classed by the World Bank as “low-income” will have this fee waived, so those entries will continue to be free. Entrants from Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen should email to theawardsarabworld@timeshighereducation.com to obtain a Voucher Code, when your entry or entries are ready to submit.

What period do these awards relate to?

THE Awards Arab World 2026 focus primarily on activity during the 2025 calendar year, but submissions may be based on work that commenced prior to this period where significant activity during 2025 is included. If your chosen project or initiative had a launch or roll-out date, this must have taken place during 2025.
We will also accept additional evidence of impact or success that has only come to light during the early months of 2026, leading up to the entry window.

Can we enter more than one category?

Yes, you may enter as many categories as you wish, but you must complete a different submission for each category.

Can we enter the same submission in more than one category?

No, please choose the most appropriate category for each entry. If you are unsure which category to choose, please contact david.suter(at)timeshighereducation.com to discuss your options.

Can an institution enter more than one project or team in a single category?

Yes, if the entries are distinctive and completely unrelated, you may submit up to five entries per category. If there is crossover, we advise you to combine the best elements of each to form a stronger single entry.

Please note that some categories recognise work at an institutional rather than departmental level. You should enter these only once, and include multiple elements covering different facets of the overall output or strategy.

How will I know that my entry has been safely received?

Once you have submitted your entry, you will receive an email confirming your institution name, the nominee and the category you have entered. A copy of your submission will also be attached.
The email will also contain a unique Nomination code that we will use in future awards correspondence relating to your entry, so please keep this number safe. If you do not receive your confirmation email, please write to THEawardsarabworld@timeshighereducation.com 

Are collaborative entries accepted?

Yes.

Institutions working together

If your entry relates to an initiative or project carried out in collaboration with another institution or institutions, the submission should come from the lead institution. In such cases, please enter “[lead institution], in collaboration with [other institutions]"  or, in cases where the institutions are working together under a project title, “[project title] ([list of participating institutions])”  in the ‘Institution name’ field on the entry form. If there is no lead institution, to avoid multiple entries for the same project, please agree on who will submit on behalf of the group.

Institutions working with public or private partners

You may enter a project that has been undertaken in collaboration with an external public or private partner. In such cases, please include “ in collaboration with ” in the ‘Institution name’ field on the entry form. Please note that the award will be given to the winning higher education institution.

When will I find out if we have been shortlisted?

The shortlist will be published on Thursday 16 July 2026. We will also notify shortlisted entrants by email around 30 minutes before publication.

If we are not shortlisted, can we get feedback on our entry?

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of entries, we are not able to give feedback on individual entries.

When are the winners announced?

The THE Awards Arab World ceremony will be held on 3 November 2026 in Jordan as part of the THE Arab Universities Summit. Further details will be available in due course.