Mike Magee, Ph.D., president of Minerva University, will share lessons from what is, by any definition, a unique institution. The nonprofit university, where students study on four continents during their four undergraduate years, has ranked #1 in the World University Rankings for Innovation for three consecutive years.  Dr. Magee will discuss lessons that higher education can take from Minerva University’s distinctive "global rotation" model, in which students study in cities such as Berlin, Buenos Aires, and Taipei. With experiential learning across geographies, students apply academic theories to real-world problems and gain deep immersion and cultural adaptability.

Minerva University confronts the key challenges facing WASC members, including cost and accessibility; campus polarization; lack of diversity in many colleges; students’ alienation and loneliness; the need for a global education; and the skills gap between college graduates and the job market. Dr. Magee will share insights into how opportunity, institutional flexibility and a strong team of leaders can drive transformative change in higher education. By sharing Minerva’s unique story, Dr. Magee hopes to inspire others to rethink traditional geographical and educational boundaries, with actionable takeaways for institutions looking to innovate in their own contexts, whether through global expansion or new educational models.

Mike Magee, President, Minerva University

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is characterized by a young population, with more than 55% of the population below the age of 30, compared with 36% of the population across OECD countries. However, the MENA region faces a significant challenge with youth unemployment, particularly among university graduates. In some countries, the unemployment rate for young graduates reaches approximately 40%. A primary contributing factor is the mismatch between the skills acquired through education and those demanded by the labor market. Addressing this issue requires aligning educational curricula with market needs, promoting vocational training, and fostering private-sector development to create employment opportunities. Ajman University has created a comprehensive and effective ecosystem to tackle this chronic matter responsibly. The ecosystem is based to a great extent on our journey with WASC and other international accreditations.

Karim Seghir, Chancellor, Ajman University