AQB Student Alaa Abhari Moderates Key Session at WISE 12

Doha, Qatar.

Al-Quds Bard College (AQB) proudly celebrates the participation of Jonathan Becker, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bard College, as one of the panel speakers, and Alaa Abhari, an Education Above All (EAA) scholar and Human Rights & International Law student, who played a central role at the 12th World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE 12) on November 24th and 25th. Alaa served as the moderator of a session organised by the Al Fakhoora and PEIC Programmes of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, held in collaboration with the University of Oxford and Bard College.

The session opened Day One of EAA’s WISE 12 programming with a powerful and timely discussion on how young people affected by war, conflict, and displacement are using education to reclaim agency, protect identity, and rebuild their communities. 

The conversation underscored EAA’s commitment to expanding higher-education pathways, strengthening psychosocial resilience, and supporting youth-led advocacy in crisis-affected regions.

Alaa skillfully guided a distinguished panel featuring:

Jonathan Becker, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bard College, Dr Christos Kypraios, Lead of the Oxford Crisis Education Programme at the University of Oxford and Luisa Romero, Colombian peacebuilder with extensive experience in youth-led conflict transformation
His leadership ensured that the session remained grounded in the lived experiences of young people, while highlighting the transformative role of education in restoring dignity and opportunity amid instability.

Reflecting on his role, Alaa said:

“Moderating this session gave me the chance to highlight the experiences of young people living through conflict, not just as survivors but as active leaders in their communities. I was proud to represent Al-Quds Bard and the Al Fakhoora community on an international stage.”

Alaa’s participation reflects the growing role of AQB students in international spaces and shows how strong the partnership is between AQB and Bard College, with Education Above All. His contribution at WISE 12 shows what AQB aims for: students who think critically, engage responsibly, and use their education to respond to the challenges their communities and the world are facing.

Shumoo Ayaseh
EAA Scholarship Communications Officer

• WISE