MENAREES was conceived out of the need to connect with colleagues across geographic and cultural boundaries and forge long lasting partnerships in engineering education in the Middle East and North Africa. Through my past experiences with the
International Federation of Engineering Education Societies, the absence of formal engineering education societies in the Middle East and North Africa became evident. This is why I embarked on the formation of our regional association – MENAREES to fill in this gap and promote quality engineering education around our region. With the help of other IFEES members and Secretariat, as well as engineering professionals in the MENA region, MENAREES was founded in 2019 and began to serve as a professional home for engineering educators and practitioners. Our members share the passion for engineering education and professional development, and consist of university professors, students, continuing education providers, engineering professionals, software developers, and corporate partners.
MENAREES serves not only as a forum for its members to communicate and network, but also provides numerous resources in support of engineering education activities such as accreditation, global mobility, and professional licensure. It is equally important for the organization to serve as a powerhouse for digital transformation in education, and a catalyst for bridging the gap between academia and practice. Our strategic plan focuses on three main thrusts: 1) facilitating collaboration and information sharing among our members through seminars, conferences, training workshops, and a quarterly newsletter where we share best practices; 2) promoting the importance of engineering education as a lifelong endeavor that takes place not only in colleges and universities, but also experientially, virtually, and professionally throughout one’s career; and 3) expanding our network of corporate members and partners in order to build stronger links between academia and industry, and gain better understanding of the needs of employers in terms of skills and diversity of graduates.
Our Executive Board will continue to push the boundaries of innovation in teaching and learning, and advocate the integration of new and emerging technologies in the education process. We will also promote the importance of complementing technical education with an understanding of the global and societal contexts within which engineering solutions are developed. We welcome members from all backgrounds and professional interests, and pledge to work with our members to advance the region's position as a leader in engineering education.
Dr. Alaa K. Ashmawy
Executive Director
