HETL-2025: The International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association Conference Middlesex University Dubai Dubai, UAE, December 16-18, 2025

The International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association Conference (HETL-2025) is an annual gathering of professionals and thought leaders from around the world to dialogue, network, and collaborate on issues relevant to teaching and learning in higher education. The vision of the conference is to generate new knowledge and to advance the scholarship and practice of teaching and learning in this sector of education.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts may be submitted under the following presentation types:

• Oral Paper Presentation - 20 minutes (incl. Q&A)
• Poster Presentation  

Submissions for presentation of papers at the HETL 2025 conference must adhere to the following guidelines:  

1. be in the form of a 250-300 word unstructured abstract (i.e., continuous text)  
2. include a clear presentation title  
3. include author(s) details and indicate presenter(s) of the paper with corresponding author highlighted  
4. identify the sub-theme under which the abstract will be submitted  

List of Topics

Transformative Leadership in Global Higher Education

• The role of university leaders in managing transformation in higher education
• Building resilient institutions in an era of global challenges  
• Addressing cultural diversity, inclusion, and mobility in higher education  

• Technology-Enhanced Learning: Opportunities and Challenges

• The impact of AI, big data, and emerging technologies on teaching and learning  
• Digital inclusion and equity in education  
• Designing future-ready digital campuses  

• Sustainability and Ethics in Higher Education

• Universities as drivers of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  
• Integrating sustainability into curricula and research  
• Partnerships, social enterprises, and community engagement for social impact    

• Future Skills and Employability in the Knowledge Economy

• Competency-based education and the role of industry partnerships in an evolving job market  
• Fostering lifelong learning in academic programmes    
• The role of micro-credentials and alternative qualifications   

Organizing Committee

Members

• Sreejith Balasubramanian
• Lynda Hyland
• Rory McConnon
• Wasif Minhas
• Patrick Blessinger
• Abhi Singh

Keynote & Invited Speakers

• Patrick Blessinger

Publication

All accepted abstracts will be published in conference proceedings with ISBN. 

Invited full papers will have the oppportunity to publish in Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education by Emerald Publishing

Venue

The conference will be held in Middlesex University Dubai, Knowledge Park Campus, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Contact

Any questions about submissions or conference should be emailed to one of the conference chairs

Sponsors - Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism