The prestigious Zairi International Awards for Excellence in Higher Education recently concluded its 3rd cycle at the MENA-HELF event in Dubai. This year's awards saw applications from leading institutions across the globe, all showcasing their impactful community contributions and sustainable initiatives.   Established in honour of the late Professor Mohamed Zairi (1956-2021), a renowned British scholar in quality and excellence management, the awards recognise excellence in five key areas, 2024 winners in “parentheses”:  

1. Excellence for digital transformation “American University of the Middle East, Kuwait” 
2. Excellence for research impact “Aga Khan University, Islamic Republic of Pakistan”
3. Excellence for internationalization “Modern University for Business and Science MUBS, Beirut, Lebanon” 
4. Excellence for outstanding non-profit contribution to the community “Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Morocco”     
5. Excellence for equity and inclusion “Sense Kaleidoscope, Republic of India”  

Algerian-born scholar, Professor Mohamed Zairi (1956-2021), made significant contributions to business excellence, quality management, and benchmarking. Following a UAE Assessment cycle in 2017, Zairi's conversation with Józefa Fawcett in Abu Dhabi offered a rare glimpse into his inspiring journey. This renowned expert, remembered for his humility, is the namesake behind the prestigious Zairi International Awards.