IREG 2025 Conference

University Rankings - Guardian of Quality in Research and Teaching
at Abu Dhabi University, UAE

PROGRAM

(as of 10 June 2025)

Main IREG 2025 Sessions

9 December 2025 (Tuesday)

Venue: Emirates Palace Hotel

4:00 – 5:00 PM IREG Executive Committee (close meeting)

6:00 – 8:00 PM Welcome reception for IREG 2025 participants

10 December 2025 (Wednesday)

Venue: Emirates Palace Hotel

10:00 Grand Opening of the IREG 2025 & the ICASF 2025

IREG Panel A

Do rankings affect university strategy? Looking for solutions, avoiding mishaps

Overview: University leaders from different parts of the world will discuss how to navigate rankings challenges in designing a strategy for their university. Some universities have expressed their disapproval of rankings, others look for new approaches to evaluation of research... There will be an opportunity to vent out different opinions.

SDG Alignment: This panel aligns with several key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 – Quality Education, by fostering discussions on how universities can maintain high standards of teaching and research without becoming overly dependent on external ranking systems. It also supports SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as it encourages institutions to explore innovative approaches to institutional assessment, performance measurement, and strategic planning. Additionally, SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals is reflected in the call for global dialogue and collaboration to create more inclusive, transparent, and context-sensitive evaluation frameworks that better serve the diverse missions of higher education institutions.

Objectives: The objective of this panel is to examine the complex relationship between global university rankings and institutional strategy. It aims to explore how different universities navigate the opportunities and challenges rankings present, share insights into the risks of becoming overly rankings-driven, and discuss alternative approaches to evaluating academic quality, research impact, and institutional success. The session encourages candid exchange, critical reflection, and collective problem-solving to help university leaders shape strategies that align with their core values while remaining competitive and relevant in a global academic landscape.

Moderator

Mr. Alex Usher

President of Higher Education Strategy Associates (Canada)

Mr. Nick Davis

President, Middle East & Africa, Times Higher Education (THE)

Prof. Dr. Anas Ratib Alsoud

Executive Director, Association of Arab Universities

Prof. Levent Kandiller

Rector Yaşar University, Izmir

Prof. Piotr Stepnowski

Rector University of Gdansk

Prof. Komiljon Karimov

Rector Westminster International University in Tashkent

Prof. Ulviyya Abbasova

Advisor to the rector on rankings

Dr. Bibi Alajmi

Assistant Vice President for Planning at Kuwait University

IREG Panel B

Meet the Global and Regional Rankers – Gain Insight into Their Strategic Priorities

Overview: Regardless their shortcomings, rankings have become an important part of the higher education landscape. Authors of global and regional university rankings will present their rankings characteristics and directions. There will be time for “difficult” questions from the audience.

SDG Alignment: This panel aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting transparency in academic evaluation, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through discussion on innovative ranking methodologies, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering dialogue between universities and ranking bodies.

Objectives: Offer universities direct insight into the methodologies, metrics, and strategic goals behind global and regional ranking systems. It aims to clarify how rankings are evolving, what data matters most, and how institutions can align their strategies accordingly. By engaging ranking authors in open dialogue—including addressing tough questions—the session empowers university leaders to make informed decisions, strengthen their positioning, and contribute to shaping more balanced and meaningful evaluation frameworks.

Moderator

Waldemar Siwiński

President, IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence

Prof. Ghassan Aouad

Chancellor, Abu Dhabi University

Mr. Ben Sowter

Vice President Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

Dr. Minchun Zh

Consulting Manager, Shanghai Ranking Consultancy

Mr. Isidro F. Aguillo

Head of Cybermetric Lab Scimago Group, Webometrics

6:00 – 8:00 PM Conference Gala Dinner

11 December 2025 (Thursday)

Venue: Emirates Palace Hotel

IREG Panel C

Reimagining Rankings – Supporting a University’s Place and Direction with a Focus on Sustainability and Innovation

Overview: The session is aimed primarily at university officers responsible for reading and interpreting rankings, collecting data and answering surveys or questionnaires sent Meet the Rankers – Global and Regional. Learn what are they plotting? Find out by ranking organizations. Experts with long career will share their professional experience in advising university leadership on how rankings help define current university position and set goals for strategic development.

SDG Alignment: This session strongly aligns with SDG 4 – Quality Education by encouraging universities to use rankings as a tool to enhance institutional effectiveness and educational quality. It also supports SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as it explores how innovative ranking metrics can reflect a university’s research, sustainability efforts, and societal impact. Furthermore, it promotes SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering collaboration between ranking agencies and institutions to co-create transparent, inclusive, and forward-looking frameworks for assessing academic performance and impact.

Objectives: The objective of this panel is to equip university officers and strategists with a deeper understanding of how to engage with rankings more effectively and purposefully. Through insights from ranking organizations and seasoned advisors, the session will highlight how rankings can serve not only as a benchmarking tool but also as a guide for strategic development—particularly in advancing sustainability and innovation. It aims to shift the perception of rankings from a competitive pressure point to a strategic asset that supports a university’s mission, direction, and global standing.

Moderator