We Offer a Variety of Membership Options Tailored to your Expertise

Membership Requirements

1. Core Team

Eligibility

  • By invitation or nomination only through senior professionals. 
  • Senior academics, professionals, or educational leaders with proven strategic experience.

Requirements

  • Minimum 10 years of leadership in higher education or academic networks.
  • Demonstrated record of advancing institutional strategy, governance, or academic excellence.
  • Commitment to serve in an advisory capacity.

2. Eminent Leaders 

Eligibility

  • Presidents, Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, and Rectors of recognised higher education institutions.

  • Individuals with distinguished careers demonstrating exceptional academic and institutional leadership.

Requirements

  • Minimum of 15 years of senior academic or executive leadership experience.

  • Proven record of advancing institutional excellence, governance, innovation, or strategic transformation.

  • Demonstrated contribution to national or international higher education development.

  • Commitment to support GulfHE’s strategic aims and collaborative leadership initiatives.

Evidence Needed

  • Institutional appointment confirmation or official public profile.

3. Faculty / Academic Members

Eligibility

  • Educators and researchers affiliated with recognised schools/ higher education institutions.
  • Post-doc is accepted.

Requirements

  • Minimum of a Master’s degree; PhD desirable.
  • Current or recent teaching/research responsibilities with an active employment in academia. Adjunct roles are accepted.
  • Active engagement in academic publishing, teaching, or supervision.

4. Industry Leaders

Eligibility

  • Senior executives and professionals working in non-teaching roles.
  • Both PhD/non-PhD are accepted.

Requirements

  • At least 2 years of professional experience in industry, consultancy, or leadership roles.

Evidence Needed

  • CV+ Linkedin Profile.

5. Higher Education Leaders

Eligibility

  • Senior university/college/school leaders (e.g., Deans, VPs, Principal, Directors).
  • Highly distinguished professors

Requirements

  • Must have current leadership role in a recognised educational institution.
  • Track record of shaping institutional policy, strategy, or governance.

Evidence Needed

  • Official appointment letter or profile link.
  • Summary of strategic initiatives led.

6. Educational Developers / L&D Specialists

Eligibility

  • Professionals working in curriculum design, pedagogy, learning technologies, or academic development.
  • Can be PhD/Non-PhD
  • Can be working in Non-Academia

Requirements

  • At least 2 years’ experience in educational development, instructional design, or staff development.
  • Demonstrated contribution to innovation in teaching, learning, or faculty development.

Evidence Needed

  • Portfolio of projects (e.g., curriculum, workshops, digital learning).
  • CV+ Profile Link

7. Student Members

Eligibility

  • Enrolled postgraduate students (Master’s or Doctoral).
  • Early career researchers aspiring to academic or leadership roles.

Requirements

  • Active engagement in research, teaching support, or academic service.
  • Commitment to collaborative learning and professional development.

Evidence Needed

  • Proof of enrolment (student ID or institutional confirmation).
  • Short statement of interest in GulfHE membership.

The above requirements are provided as guidance, and all applications will be reviewed by the Membership Team to ensure alignment with the most relevant role. Membership of GulfHE is not an employment opportunity; all members serve on a voluntary basis, contributing their expertise to support education, collaboration, and academic development.

Institutional Partners

Institutional Partners are universities, higher education colleges, applied learning centres, or academic development units that formally join the Gulf Higher Education Network (GULF HE) as member institutions. They serve as active contributors to regional educational advancement through structured collaboration, resource sharing, and leadership in teaching and learning innovation.

Who Can Join

  1. Recognised universities and higher education institutions
  2. Colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications
  3. Teaching and learning centres or faculty development units
  4. Academic organisations with a commitment to educational quality and capacity building

Benefits of Institutional Membership

  1. Recognition as a regional collaborator in academic development
  2. Visibility on the GULF HE website and leadership profiles
  3. Preferential access to strategic initiatives and policy dialogue
  4. Co-branding opportunities on selected events or outputs
  5. Early access to teaching and learning resources, toolkits, and SoTL communities
  6. Networking with peer institutions across the Gulf for shared problem-solving and policy innovation

Commitment
GULF HE encourages meaningful rather than symbolic membership. Institutional Partners are expected to:

  1. Engage actively in at least one network initiative annually
  2. Nominate at least one ambassador or liaison to participate in regular communications
  3. Foster internal faculty awareness of GULF HE learning opportunities

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