100 Million Learners – Thunderbird Event
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace.aiu.edu.kw/handle/123456789/6553
Organizing Department: Special Events Committee
Person In Charge & Contact Details: Ashley Hart, Director of University Events and Engagement
Date Of the Event: February 13, 2024
Semester: Spring 2024
Number of Student Attendees: 290
Venue: AIU Auditorium
Partnerships:
Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University
The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative
Name & Designation of Guests (Both from Inside & Outside Campus - If Any):
Dr. Khaled Mehdi (Secretary-General, General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Kuwait),
Dr. Nada Al-Mutawa (Head of the Research Department, Kuwait University),
Dr. Esra [] (Vice Dean – Kuwait University),
Mr. Isam Al-Sager (Group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait),
Dr. Sanjeev Khagram (Dean & Director-General, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University),
Mr. Mohamed Elsuhimi (Sr. Executive Director, Global Business Development, Thunderbird)
The Marketing Department Coverage of This Event: Photos, Blog post, Webpage
Awards and Merits Related to The Event & Details of Winners: Appreciation plaques were presented to guests
Introduction to the Event
The 100 Million Learners – Thunderbird Event took place on February 13, 2024, at the AIU Auditorium and was organized by the Special Events Committee. It marked a strategic partnership between AIU and the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University under The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, which provides free, accredited business and leadership education worldwide, with a focus on women and underserved groups. A total of 290 students attended.
Event Overview
The two‑day event included a campus visit by the Thunderbird delegation and a formal partnership signing ceremony. The program introduced the AIU community to the goals of the 100 Million Learners Initiative. Dr. Sanjeev Khagram addressed the audience on the initiative’s global reach, highlighting the initiative’s expansion of global digital education access in more than 40 languages. The agreement was signed by Dr. Michael Pishko and Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, with remarks by Dr. Khaled Mehdi and Dr. Michael Pishko on its relevance to Kuwait’s development priorities. The Marketing Department supported the event through photo coverage, a blog feature, and a dedicated webpage.
Event Highlights
Partnership agreement signed between AIU and the Thunderbird School of Global Management
Keynote by Dr. Sanjeev Khagram on global education accessibility and digital leadership
Distinguished guests in attendance included:
Dr. Khaled Mehdi – Secretary‑General, Supreme Council for Planning and Development
Dr. Nada Al-Mutawa – Head of the Research Department, Kuwait University
Dr. Esra [] – Vice Dean, Kuwait University
Mr. Isam Al-Sager – Group Chief Executive Officer, National Bank of Kuwait
Mr. Mohamed Elsuhimi – Senior Executive Director, Thunderbird School of Global Management
Appreciation plaques presented to the guest speakers
Thunderbird campus visit on day one; signing ceremony and university address on day two
Strategic partners: Thunderbird School of Global Management (Arizona State University) and The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative
Impact and Takeaways
The partnership positions AIU as a regional contributor to a large‑scale global education initiative. Students and faculty gained insight into leadership development, digital education models, and inclusive learning approaches. The initiative aligns with Kuwait’s priorities in human capital development, innovation, and economic diversification. For students, the partnership enables access to micro‑credentials, certificates, and global learning experiences at no cost. The event strengthened AIU’s international engagement and commitment to educational access and collaboration.
Person In Charge & Contact Details: Ashley Hart, Director of University Events and Engagement
Date Of the Event: February 13, 2024
Semester: Spring 2024
Number of Student Attendees: 290
Venue: AIU Auditorium
Partnerships:
Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University
The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative
Name & Designation of Guests (Both from Inside & Outside Campus - If Any):
Dr. Khaled Mehdi (Secretary-General, General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Kuwait),
Dr. Nada Al-Mutawa (Head of the Research Department, Kuwait University),
Dr. Esra [] (Vice Dean – Kuwait University),
Mr. Isam Al-Sager (Group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait),
Dr. Sanjeev Khagram (Dean & Director-General, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University),
Mr. Mohamed Elsuhimi (Sr. Executive Director, Global Business Development, Thunderbird)
The Marketing Department Coverage of This Event: Photos, Blog post, Webpage
Awards and Merits Related to The Event & Details of Winners: Appreciation plaques were presented to guests
Introduction to the Event
The 100 Million Learners – Thunderbird Event took place on February 13, 2024, at the AIU Auditorium and was organized by the Special Events Committee. It marked a strategic partnership between AIU and the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University under The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, which provides free, accredited business and leadership education worldwide, with a focus on women and underserved groups. A total of 290 students attended.
Event Overview
The two‑day event included a campus visit by the Thunderbird delegation and a formal partnership signing ceremony. The program introduced the AIU community to the goals of the 100 Million Learners Initiative. Dr. Sanjeev Khagram addressed the audience on the initiative’s global reach, highlighting the initiative’s expansion of global digital education access in more than 40 languages. The agreement was signed by Dr. Michael Pishko and Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, with remarks by Dr. Khaled Mehdi and Dr. Michael Pishko on its relevance to Kuwait’s development priorities. The Marketing Department supported the event through photo coverage, a blog feature, and a dedicated webpage.
Event Highlights
Partnership agreement signed between AIU and the Thunderbird School of Global Management
Keynote by Dr. Sanjeev Khagram on global education accessibility and digital leadership
Distinguished guests in attendance included:
Dr. Khaled Mehdi – Secretary‑General, Supreme Council for Planning and Development
Dr. Nada Al-Mutawa – Head of the Research Department, Kuwait University
Dr. Esra [] – Vice Dean, Kuwait University
Mr. Isam Al-Sager – Group Chief Executive Officer, National Bank of Kuwait
Mr. Mohamed Elsuhimi – Senior Executive Director, Thunderbird School of Global Management
Appreciation plaques presented to the guest speakers
Thunderbird campus visit on day one; signing ceremony and university address on day two
Strategic partners: Thunderbird School of Global Management (Arizona State University) and The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative
Impact and Takeaways
The partnership positions AIU as a regional contributor to a large‑scale global education initiative. Students and faculty gained insight into leadership development, digital education models, and inclusive learning approaches. The initiative aligns with Kuwait’s priorities in human capital development, innovation, and economic diversification. For students, the partnership enables access to micro‑credentials, certificates, and global learning experiences at no cost. The event strengthened AIU’s international engagement and commitment to educational access and collaboration.
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