Theme: Reimagining Higher Education after COVID-19

The global impact of COVID-19 has caused a paradigm shift within the Higher Education industry. What will universities look like when the pandemic has ended? In this TEDx event, we explore this question from the perspectives of multiple disciplines.

Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf
Oud Metha Road Al Jaddaf Area
Dubai, Dubayy, 122273
United Arab Emirates

Bianca Badando

Bianca is Vice-President of the Student Council at the British University in Dubai (BUiD). She is currently studying a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. As former Vice-President for Public Relations & Former President at Oryx Gavel Club, Bianca is passionate about public speaking and a highly active member of BUiD's student community.

Dr. Maria Papadaki

Director of the Dubai Centre for Risk Management

Dr. Maria has over ten years’ of experience in Risk Management from both Academia and Industry, with numerous of years in the implementation, development, improvement and management of risk frameworks, tools and techniques. An individual who can be exposed to a wide range of areas and proves the ability to manage, lead projects, influence, manage people, motivates and drives change in different environments. Her portfolio of achievements include: Created and Managed the BUiD PMO office; Developed and executed a risk strategy to support a bid for a £7.2bn; Managed the Risk and Business Continuity Management process for Rolls-Royce Supply Chain. Identified and improved risk maturity for 1200 suppliers; Managed and Designed the Supply Chain Risk Management strategic framework in Rolls Royce; Lead and organized benchmarking sessions between organisations (e.g. Zurich, Cisco and Rolls-Royce); Lead, designed and managed quality processes.

Dr. Tendai Charles

Director of Centre for Research in Digital Education

Dr. Tendai Charles has a BEng in Computing (City University London), an MA in Applied Linguistics & TESOL (Newcastle University), and a PhD in Education (University of York). He worked as an I.T. Specialist in London for several years before changing career by becoming a teacher of English for Academic Purposes, and teaching at Russell Group universities such as Edinburgh University, Nottingham University, and Newcastle University. He then became Coordinator of the Instructional Design Unit at UAE University, and now uses his knowledge / experience to conduct academic research on topics pertaining to Digital Education in Dubai.

Mamta Saha

Psychologist Mamta Saha has earned her stellar track record as in-house Learning and Development lead and independent consultant over 15 years, she’s worked in multiple global matrix commercially focused businesses, academia and bespoke consultancies, where she gained her wealth of experience leading cutting-edge learning and development strategy and company-wide implementation. Mamta offers a passionate, committed, professional style and confidently provides facilitation, coaching and dynamic training design in all behavioural areas from the board to frontline. Her list of clients includes Tesco, Accenture, KPMG, L’Oreal, Aviva, Sports England, Blackstone, Coca-Cola, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, China Investment Corporation, Logicor, Lloyd’s of London, State Street Bank, VHS Global, INSEEC University and Brunel University. Currently, Mamta is an associate member of the Centre for Research in Digital Education at the British University in Dubai.

Mr. Hugh Martin

Registrar & Chief Administrative Officer

Hugh graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA (Hons) & an MA (Hons) in English Language & Literature. After 7 years working in the private sector, he took an MLitt in Creative Writing (with Distinction) from the University of St Andrews. His PhD research is in rhetoric & writing. He has worked in Higher Education senior management for over 20 years, as University Secretary at the University of Bedfordshire, Chief of Staff at the London School of Economics, Head of Governance at the University of Bristol, & Executive Officer at the University of St Andrews. As an academic, he held the post of Associate Lecturer at The Open University for 15 years. Hugh is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Educators, a non-Executive Director of a US/Zimbabwean charity, and has been a governor & the Chair of the Academy Council at a UK secondary school. He holds various professional associations & accreditations including membership of the Association of Heads of University Administration.

Prof. Eman Gaad

Dean of Faculty of Education

Prof. Gaad co-founded one of the largest NGOs in the UAE, UAEDSA (United Arab Emirates Down Syndrome Association) where she also acts as Senior Educational Consultant. She is one of the governors of Dubai College, and on the Board of Directors of several non-profit organizations in the UAE. She has advised policy and decision makers as a senior consultant for both governments of Dubai and Abu Dhabi on disability related issues. She is also a winner of HH Princess Haya Award for Special Education as best distinguished individual research in 2012, and in the same year was awarded the Global Leadership in Education Award from the Asian Leadership Award Board. She is a world class researcher, advocate, international social development consultant, expert, certified assessor, and a professional social trainer. Over the last 15 years she has become a frequent media figure on live on-air radio and TV programmes, and appeared in hundreds of articles published in local and regional newspapers.