The shortlist for the Times Higher Education Awards Arab World 2026 has been announced, showcasing the work of 80 finalists from institutions across the region.

More than 400 entries were received across the 10 award categories, with universities from 13 countries and territories featuring on the final shortlist. 

Abu Dhabi University (UAE) leads the field with six shortlist appearances, followed closely by Ajman University (UAE), Alamein International University (Egypt) and An-Najah National University (Palestine), each shortlisted five times. In total, 36 institutions are represented on this year’s shortlist.

The United Arab Emirates is the best represented country, with 21 appearances, ahead of Saudi Arabia (14), Egypt (12) and Palestine (10).

ɫ��ֱ��

Chris Havergal, editor of Times Higher Education, said the entries demonstrated the strength of the region’s higher education sector despite a turbulent year.

“Universities across this region have faced huge challenges over the past year, but what shines through entries to the ɫ��ֱ�� Awards Arab World is the higher education sector’s immense resilience, steadfast commitment to national development, and enduring capacity for innovation,” he said.

ɫ��ֱ��

“That the achievements detailed in institutions’ submissions took place against a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tension makes them only more impressive.

“It is our hope that our awards ceremony – now seen as a fixture in the region’s higher education calendar and a real highlight of our ɫ��ֱ�� Arab Universities Summit – will offer a moment to celebrate these accomplishments, as well as the ingenuity and dedication that made them possible. In this way, we also aim to complement ɫ��ֱ��’s data-driven rankings covering the Arab world by shining a light on clusters of excellence and dynamism that are not fully captured via metrics and surveys.

“As ever, the credit must go to the individuals and teams behind the shortlisted entries. Arab universities continue to excel in the face of adversity, and it will be our great honour to crown our winners in Morocco this November.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held during the ɫ��ֱ�� Arab Universities Summit, taking place from 3 to 5 November in Ben Guerir, Morocco, in association with University Mohammed VI Polytechnic.

ɫ��ֱ��

To read more about this year’s finalists, please visit the  website.    

ɫ��ֱ�� Awards Arab World 2026: full shortlist

International Strategy of the Year

• Alamein International University (Egypt)
• Al-Quds University (Palestine)
• American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)
• King Saud University (Saudi Arabia)
• Newgiza University (Egypt)
• Northumbria University in Qatar (Qatar)
• Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (Saudi Arabia)
• University of Anbar (Iraq)

Leadership and Management Team of the Year

• Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates)
• Alamein International University (Egypt)
• American University of Iraq – Baghdad (Iraq)
• An-Najah National University (Palestine)
• Galala University (Egypt)
• Gulf University (Bahrain)
• Ibn Tofaïl University (Morocco)
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (Saudi Arabia)

Most Innovative Teacher of the Year

• Mona Muzil Alharbi, University of Hafr Al Batin (Saudi Arabia)
• Mohamed Amin, Alamein International University (Egypt)
• Mohammed Ghazal, Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates)
• Maysaa Hassiba, Al-Ahliyya Amman University (Jordan)
• Mervat Medhat, Ajman University (United Arab Emirates)
• Rubina Qureshi, Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates)
• Eslam Yacoub, Alamein International University (Egypt)
• Dania Zantout, New York University Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)

Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership

• Ajman University (United Arab Emirates)
• Al-Quds University (Palestine)
• American University in Cairo (Egypt)
• Gulf University (Bahrain)
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (Saudi Arabia)
• The British University in Egypt (Egypt)
• University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (Morocco)
• University of Anbar (Iraq)

Outstanding Contribution to Regional Development

• Alamein International University (Egypt)
• American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)
• An-Najah National University (Poison Control and Toxicology Research Hub) (Palestine)
• An-Najah National University (Tomorrow’s Cities project) (Palestine)
• Ibn Tofaïl University (Morocco)
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (Saudi Arabia)
• Palestine Ahliya University (Palestine)
• University of Al-Maarif (Iraq)

Outstanding Support for Students

• Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates)
• Ajman University (United Arab Emirates)
• Al-Ahliyya Amman University (Jordan)
• American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)
• King Faisal University (Saudi Arabia)
• King Saud University (Saudi Arabia)
• Palestine Ahliya University (Palestine)
• University of Al-Maarif (Iraq)

Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

• Al-Ahliyya Amman University (Jordan)
• Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (Egypt)
• Arab American University (Palestine)
• New York University Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
• The Arab Institute for Women (AiW) at the Lebanese American University (LAU) (Lebanon)
• University of Al-Maarif (Iraq)
• University of Carthage (Tunisia)
• University of Technology Bahrain (Bahrain)

Research Project of the Year: STEM

• Ajman University (United Arab Emirates)
• Amity University Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
• Ibn Tofaïl University (Morocco)
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) (Saudi Arabia)
• National University of Science and Technology, Oman (Oman)
• New York University Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
• Sebha University (Libya)
• University of Al-Maarif (Iraq)

Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year

• Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates)
• Ajman University (United Arab Emirates)
• Amity University Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
• An-Najah National University (Palestine)
• King Abdulaziz University (Saudi Arabia)
• King Saud University (Saudi Arabia)
• Newgiza University (Egypt)
• Sphinx University (Egypt)

Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year

• Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates)
• American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)
• An-Najah National University (Palestine)
• Khalifa University (United Arab Emirates)
• King Abdulaziz University (Saudi Arabia)
• King Faisal University (Saudi Arabia)
• King Saud University (Saudi Arabia)
• Northumbria University in Qatar (Qatar)