Most influential women leaders transforming education and innovation to watch in 2026
Dr. Noor Hamizah’s path into higher education was shaped by something more than professional ambition. It was shaped by a belief in what education makes possible: social mobility, national development, and the expansion of opportunity for students who might not otherwise find a route to global success.
On Cover
Prof. Dr. Noor Hamizah Abu Hanifah
Chairman, Clevera Sd, Bhd OTHM Qualifications, United Kingdom- Country Head Malaysia. Vice Chancellor IOTA University College & Deputy President, Jesselton University College.
Thirty-five years in higher education is long enough to witness several complete cycles of institutional reform, technology disruption, and policy reinvention. What sets Prof. Dr. Noor Hamizah Abu Hanifah apart from leaders who simply endure those cycles is that she has consistently been among those driving them.
Rania Abdelfattah Obeid
STEM Director, Educational Consultant & Research Scholar
In a world where education systems struggle to keep pace with technological advancement and societal needs, Rania Abdelfattah Obeid stands as a beacon of transformative change. Her journey from a curious educator to a globally recognized STEM advocate represents more than professional growth; it embodies a mission to revolutionize how we prepare students for a future that demands both technical proficiency and purposeful innovation.
Najwa Saba ‘Ayon Fares
Professor & Academic Coordinator | EFL and Intercultural Communication Specialist Rafik Hariri University, Lebanon | EdD, University of Sussex | UNESCO Story Circle Trainer
Before she stood in front of university students in Lebanon, before she earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Sussex, before she became a professor, curriculum reformer, UNESCO Story Circle trainer, and advocate for ethical AI integration in higher education, Najwa Saba ‘AyonFares was lining up her dolls and teaching them English. She would explain vocabulary, correct imaginary errors, and picture herself in front of a classroom.
Dr. Asma Khalfan Al Aufi
Lecturer at Sultan Qaboos University | Managing Director, Moon Group LLC
In an era where education and enterprise often operate in separate silos, Dr. Asma Khalfan Al Aufi stands as a remarkable exception. Her dual identity as a university lecturer and managing director of an established Omani enterprise represents more than just professional versatility. It embodies a philosophy that academic rigor and business acumen are not opposing forces but complementary dimensions of transformative leadership.
