Page 10 - HBMSU PR REPORT - DECEMBER 2023

Press release

HBMSU actively participates in the Meeting of the International Consortium
for Benchmarking Framework for Online, Open, Smart and Technology-

Enhanced Higher Education

December 30, 2023: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) took part in the

Annual Meeting of the Consortium for Benchmarking Framework for Online, Open, Smart and
Technology-enhanced higher education. This virtual meeting explored the future trajectory of the

international Consortium, dedicated to advancing the quality of online education through
collaborative benchmarking initiative. Against the backdrop of the substantial achievements of

2023, the meeting celebrated the triumphs of the Consortium for Benchmarking Framework, a
collaborative endeavor initiated nearly five years ago by HBMSU and other global leaders in online

higher education. It showcased the Consortium's resounding success in fostering excellence in
the digital realm of higher education.

The meeting was attended by several prominent figures, including H.E. Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama,

Secretary General at the Association of Arab Universities (AArU); Prof. Nadia Badrawi, President

of Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE); Ms. Torunn Gjelsvik,
Secretary General of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE); H.E. Dr.
Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU; and many other distinguished members and

representatives of the Consortium.

Participants were presented with the global report on the 2023 benchmarking implementation

cycle, which was implemented by ten universities of the Consortium, followed by the findings of
the two expert committees nominated at the previous Members' meeting. The meeting also

discussed future plans to enhance online higher education, in alignment with the Consortium’s
growth trajectory and maintaining top-quality output standards.

H.E. Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU commented: “The Annual Meeting is a strong

reminder of the collaborative spirit and commitment that drive our common goal of raising the