Why is philanthropy becoming a more critical investment on public good and on our future?
How does our changing economy impact philanthropy, and vice versa?
How does philanthropy continue to improve our economic well-being by supporting education, research, entrepreneurship and innovation? What are the challenges in creating such opportunities?
How can educational institutions work better with philanthropic foundations to mutually achieve common goals? What are the challenges in creating successful partnerships between educational institutions and foundations, and how can we overcome or address these?
12 p.m. Networking Lunch Chef’s House restaurant, Ground Floor – East Tower
1 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 1
Alumni Relations
Young Alumni and Student Alumni Programmes Al Marmum, Second Floor – East Tower
Arpana Sharma, Manager – Alumni Relations and Industry Engagement, University of Wollongong in Dubai
Fundraising and Advancement Services Fundraising in the Middle East Al Sofouh, Second Floor – East Tower
Meredith Pierce Hunter, Director, Kew Foundation
We all know that raising money can be hard sometimes, but how does it differ between regions, cultures, and institutions? This session will look at the differences in the prospects in the Middle East and beyond; the cultural considerations, challenges, and opportunities; lessons learned from the presenter’s 20 years of experience in higher education fundraising and alumni relations, including 10+ years in the US, 10 years in the UK, and five years in the Middle East; and best practices to help you successfully fundraise for the future
All levels
2 p.m.
Break
2:10 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 2
Fundraising and Advancement Services
Information Management 101 Al Marmum, Second Floor – East Tower
Syed Bashir, Manager, Development Relations, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Alex Hyde-Parker, Partner, Alveo Consulting
All good fundraising programmes are built on a solid foundation of good data and information management. In this introductory session, we will cover why data is important, what you need, how to audit what you have, and how to identify other data sources available to you. We will explain the basics of good information management including how to keep it safe and how to share it with others. Whatever size your team, we will provide you with 5 things to take away to improve the way you manage your data. This session is relevant whether you are a fundraiser or work in a development services role.
Beginner – Intermediate
Marketing and Communications
Creating an Integrated Communications Campaign for Advancement Activities Al Sofouh, Second Floor – East Tower
Dalia Abubakr, Senior Director of Digital Communications, The American University in Cairo
A solid communications campaign is one of the most important success factors of any advancement activity. The session will go through a case study for a successful alumni homecoming communication campaign that was designed in total coordination with the alumni engagement strategy. In this session, we will go through how the communications plan was designed and the different milestones of integration with the alumni engagement strategy. The event was a success and it gave birth to a model that has been used since then for handling the promotion of big alumni events.
All levels
3:10 p.m.
Coffee and Conversations Al Nada Foyer, Ground Floor – East Tower
3:30 p.m. Group Discussions
Alumni Relations
Metrics That Matter Al Marmum, Second Floor – East Tower
Facilitated by Salma Oueida, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, American University of Beirut and John D. Pine, Director, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving, NYU Abu Dhabi
- How do we define the measures of success of our alumni engagement efforts?
- How do we balance quantitative and qualitative measures?
Fundraising and Advancement Services Role Play as a Gift Officer Al Nada 1, Ground Floor – East Tower
Facilitated by Syed Bashir, Manager, Development Relations, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and Walid A. Katergi, CFRE, Associate Vice President for Development, American University of Beirut
- Watch (in real-time) typical scenarios of prospect visits being role played - Inquire about a difficult situation and learn how to maneuver them - Learn to deal with some of the common pitfalls – Bad gifts, handling rejections, unpleasant prospects, etc. - Share and discuss regional best practices
Marketing and Communications
Small Teams, Big Ambition: Achieving above and beyond expectations Al Sofouh, Second Floor – East Tower
Facilitated by Alex Gibbs, Managing Director at Agenda Consulting and Michele Khateri, Director of Advancement, American School of Dubai
- Communication - when it goes right, and when it goes wrong and why - Mobilising your advocacy base to increase your output - Best practice tips and learnings to be shared by moderators and participants
4:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 3
Alumni Relations
Regional Alumni Programmes and Chapters Management Al Marmum, Second Floor – East Tower
Salma Oueida, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, American University of Beirut
Many of us in the region have had to overcome challenges as we work to keep worldwide alumni engaged with their alma mater—not just “routine” challenges that result from a diverse alumni community spread out over great distances, but also the challenges posed by sometimes urgent and compelling geopolitical circumstances. These challenges also present opportunities for all of us to communicate with our alumni about how important they are to the university. Alumni care and want to be engaged. This session will focus on some of the initiatives launched at the American University of Beirut, as well as best practices shared by others.
All levels
Marketing and Communications Is There a “Best Way” to Organise the Marketing Function on my Campus? Al Sofouh, Second Floor – East Tower
Marilyn Osweiler, Senior Vice President for Client Services, Stamats
Gregory Carroll, Consulting Associate, Stamats
Moderated by Gabriel Abiad, Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications, Lebanese American University
One of the most notable trends in higher education marketing and communications is that institutions around the world are taking marketing more seriously. Many universities have hired marketing professionals from the corporate world and have invested significant monies and staff in supporting marketing teams. So how does university marketing work and how is it related to the advancement and enrollment operations, president’s office and other internal and external facing offices on campus? What are the advantages and opportunities for each of the models utilised by other colleges and universities today? What organisational model might work best for my institution? With guidance from the presenters and open dialog among your colleagues in the room, you will walk away with some down to earth answers.
CASE reserves the right to change the programme without prior notice.
9 a.m. Presidents' Plenary: Communicating the Value of Education Al Nada 1, Ground Floor – East Tower
Professor Mohamed Salem, President, University of Wollongong in Dubai Dr Mariët Westermann, Vice Chancellor, NYU Abu Dhabi Chaired by Heather Hamilton, Executive Director, Asia-Pacific, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Education institutions are thinking more creatively and ambitiously about the global challenges and the growing complexities in society. By working in partnership with our various stakeholders, our institutions can make positive change both globally and within our immediate communities. Hence, our own storytelling about the value of education and the impact of what we do has become increasingly critical. This enables us to create a compelling case for support and encourage more collaboration and investment in education.
The panel will discuss the narratives about education in the region and what we can do in advancing education to transform lives and society.
10 a.m.
Coffee and Conversations Al Nada Foyer, Ground Floor – East Tower
10:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions 4
Alumni Relations Class Giving and Alumni Annual Fund Al Marmum, Second Floor – East Tower
John D. Pine, Director, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving, NYU Abu Dhabi
The landscape of Annual Giving in the region can be summed up in one word - “complicated.” The more traditional western methods of Class Giving and Annual Giving might not be the most effective, or even legal, tactics in the MENA region.
In this session, we will explore creative strategies to build-out and/or refresh an annual giving programme focusing on gifts from students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni. Given the unique regional limitations around fundraising, this session will take special care to focus on tools and methods that have worked for institutions in the region and ways in which you can adapt them to your institution.
All levels
Fundraising and Advancement Services Effective Prospect Research Strategies/Online Giving Al Sofouh, Second Floor – East Tower
Rami Abi Jomaa, Director of Advancement Services, American University of Beirut Aliaa Nader, Senior Director, Advancement Services, The American University in Cairo
Facilitated by Michael Andreasen, Vice President for University Advancement, University of Oregon
- How do we steward and care for our donors appropriately considering the different levels of their engagement in our institution as well as the existing cultural practices, customs and expectations? - How can we better communicate with our donors about the impact of their gift? - What are some common challenges on donor stewardship and what are some examples of innovative and practical approaches in addressing these?
12:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch Chef’s House restaurant, Ground Floor – East Tower
1:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 5
Fundraising and Advancement Services Volunteer Groups and Volunteer Management Al Marmum, Second Floor – East Tower
Walid A. Katergi, CFRE, Associate Vice President for Development, American University of Beirut
Fundraising through Volunteer Groups is an important component for the success of institutions. Educational and Health Care not-for-profits are no exception. With the proper system in place to identify, recruit, manage, and steward volunteers, institutions stand to gain much grounds in their missions and stand to prosper.
In this session, we will explore:
- Definition and management of volunteers including volunteer fundraisers and groups - Volunteer recruitment policies - Types of volunteer activities - Pros and cons of involving volunteers in fundraising - Confidentiality and data protection with volunteers
We will also present how the American University of Beirut (AUB), a 154-year-old institution of higher learning, is successfully working with volunteers and volunteer groups.
All levels
Marketing and Communications
Managing Media in Times of Crisis Al Sofouh, Second Floor – East Tower
Rehab Saad El Domiati, Senior Director of Media Relations & University Spokesperson, The American University in Cairo
Handling the media during crisis is the most challenging job for communicators in higher education field. When the reputation of a university is damaged, several other things got affected: student and faculty recruitment, fundraising, student exchange and study abroad programmes, among others. This session will tackle the crises, issues and challenges in the region that we should be aware of; the implication for education institutions; how to manage communication proactively during and after the crisis, how to prepare your institution before a crisis hits; crisis management protocol that universities should have in place; examples of university crisis/issues and best practices in crisis management mentoring and spokesperson training.
All levels
2:30 p.m.
Coffee and Conversations Al Nada Foyer, Ground Floor – East Tower
3 p.m. Closing Plenary: A Passion for Working in Advancement – This is the greatest job in the world! Al Nada 1, Ground Floor – East Tower
Michael Andreasen, Vice President for University Advancement, University of Oregon
The role of advancement in supporting education has never been more critical. The demand for qualified, motivated and passionate professionals in this sector has never been higher. This demand is spreading across communities and cultures and is emerging as a global opportunity. This is the moment to leverage careers in the advancement sector to contribute a meaningful, sustainable and inspired impact on education.
The special call to work in advancement
A call to action to leverage the role of philanthropy in education
The deeply rewarding work in advancement including fundraising
Discipline to balance tactics and passion for the work
It is not about the money but instead the lasting impact
4 p.m. Closing Ceremony
4:15 p.m. End of conference
CASE reserves the right to change the programme without prior notice.
