QU to Host 2026 Strategic Leaders Global Summit on Graduate Education

Qatar University

Qatar University (QU) announced that it will host the 2026 Strategic Leaders Global Summit on Graduate Education, to be held from Nov. 1-3, 2026 under the theme "Agile Pathways: New Architectures for Graduate Education."

Building on global discussions about how emerging technologies and shifting societal needs are reshaping higher education, the 2026 Global Summit will bring together senior leaders and experts from around the world to examine a broader structural transformation underway in graduate education. The program will explore how institutions can innovate responsibly while reinforcing commitments to academic quality and access.

Through a series of high-level panels and discussions, participants will address strategic issues shaping the next era of graduate education, including evolving graduate structures across local and global contexts; admissions approaches for talent discovery; interdisciplinary and impact-driven program design; flexible delivery models for diverse learner populations; reimagining theses, dissertations, and capstone projects; and redefining student success to better align with learner goals and workforce needs.

In a statement, QU President Dr. Omar Al Ansari, emphasized that postgraduate higher education must remain academically rigorous and responsive to the accelerating pace of global change. He noted that QU's hosting of the summit will help foster a constructive international dialogue on strengthening postgraduate systems in ways that widen access, advance research and innovation, and prepare graduates to lead within complex, multidisciplinary environments. He added, "We look forward to welcoming our counterparts from around the world to Doha to advance practical pathways for development and transformation."

QU's selection as host of the 2026 Summit was confirmed during the CGS Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C., attended by QU's Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Ahmad Al Own, and Assistant Dean of Graduate Learning Support, Dr. Mary Newsome.

Dr. Al Own noted that hosting the Summit underscores QU's growing role in advancing international dialogue, saying, "Hosting the Global Summit strengthens QU's role as a platform for knowledge exchange and international collaboration. The 2026 Summit reflects our commitment to shaping forward-looking graduate education models that serve students, society, and the evolving needs of the global economy."

Convened by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) in partnership with international institutions, the Strategic Leaders Global Summit on Graduate Education serves as a global platform for senior academic leaders to examine shared challenges and emerging priorities in graduate education. The Summit promotes the exchange of perspectives and best practices that inform the future of master's and doctoral education worldwide.

(QNA)