29 September - 1 October 2026
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The Arena, Riyadh | Saudi Arabia.
Dr Zouhair El Aouni
Board Member - School of Research Science, UAE
Zouhair El Aouni is a senior education leader and consultant specializing in Lifelong Learning and Executive Education, with extensive experience in strategic planning, program development, and institutional growth. He holds a PhD in Social Science (Comparative Politics) from Mohamed V University in Rabat and a Master’s degree in Trilingual Translation (Arabic–English–French) with a specialization in Business and Administration from Hassan II University.
Zouhair has held senior leadership roles in higher education, including Head of Continuing and Executive Education at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Director of Continuing and Executive Education at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah, where he led market-driven program development aligned with industry and community needs. He also served as an Assistant Professor teaching Comparative Politics and International Relations.
He is currently a Board Member of the School of Research Science (SRS) for the UK and US Schools, contributing to educational projects, governance, and the strategic growth of the Research Science Group. A Fulbright Scholar (2013–2014), Zouhair brings a global perspective and a strong commitment to advancing high-quality education and executive learning.
Speaker Sessions
Leaders in Education
1499
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Effective School Governance: The Do's and Don'ts of High-Performing School Boards
Session Summary:
This presentation explores the critical role of school boards in ensuring effective governance, accountability, and long-term institutional success. Drawing on international best practices and real-world boardroom experience, the session highlights the essential do's and don'ts that distinguish high-performing school boards from ineffective ones. Participants will examine core responsibilities including strategic oversight, policy setting, leadership support, ethical governance, and risk management, while identifying common pitfalls such as micromanagement, role confusion, weak accountability, and misalignment with educational outcomes. The session provides actionable guidance for strengthening board effectiveness and enhancing school performance across diverse educational contexts. Join this session to:
• Learn the fundamental do's and don'ts of effective school board governance, including how to focus on strategy rather than operations, maintain clear separation between governance and management, and provide meaningful oversight without micromanaging school leadership
• Discover how to establish robust accountability frameworks, ethical governance practices, and comprehensive risk management strategies that ensure institutional integrity while supporting educational excellence and long-term sustainability
• Explore practical approaches for fostering trust and transparency, aligning board decisions with educational outcomes, supporting school leadership effectively, and creating collaborative governance structures that add genuine value to institutional success
