Since 2014, Omneya Badr holds the position of Senior Academic Advisor at Qatar University and was previously a faculty advisor at NYIT Bahrain. Badr holds an MBA from the University of Bath – UK, a Certificate of Business Operation from the Academy of Arts, California - USA & a BA in Business Administration from the American University in Cairo - Egypt.  In addition, she recently acquired a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida - USA. She gained a culturally diverse experience working for over 20 years in USA, UK, Egypt, Bahrain and Qatar. Badr is a MENASA NASPA advisory board and part of MENASA professional development committee. In 2021, she was leading of the annual conference ‘programing” committee and in 2022, she was the conference co-chair. She held teaching and academic advising positions at NYIT Bahrain, BIBF Bahrain, and Qatar University. She has consultancy and training experience with several Institutions in Bahrain and Qatar. Her research interests include cultural based academic advising, branding higher education, cross-cultural communication, and education as a soft power.

An educationist by profession, Mrs. Vinnie Mathur is an Author, Craft Trainer, Workshop Consultant and environmentalist. Vinnie specializes in conducting best out of waste workshops, in other words converting waste into wealth in her free time. Vinnie has written various articles in leading newspaper and magazines and books. In her early career, she has been associated with St. Mary’s School & Delhi Public School, New Delhi and also worked with the Galgotias Group of Educational Institutions as Dean-Student Affairs & Clubs. Presently she heads external relations at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. Ms. Mathur has done her M.B.A., B.Ed. and diploma courses in Child Development & Psychology and Nursery and Primary Teachers Training. She has also written numerous books for children. Her very own popular series of Do It Yourself Craft is a big hit. She has a credit of more than 25 books.

At Shiv Nadar University, she looks after Student Development Programmes initially which included a series of workshops, seminars etc for students on various topics. She headed student clubs of the University . She has to her credit the able organization and execution of Orienation programme, Farewells, Freshers Party, Business Fest, Club activities, Blood Donation Camps etc. Under her able guidance students have represented the University in various Inter- College Fests and competitions across the country and have brought laurels to the University. The student clubs , more than 50 under her are in various categories- Social, Cultural, Technical, Management and Sports. Theatre, Music, Dance, Technical and management clubs are a few to name.

Maria del Pilar Murguia was born in Bolivia and raised across Italy and Colombia! Her multicultural life experience allowed her to learn firsthand the challenges that living in different countries entails!  With a business background, Pilar started working in International Higher education since June 2003 at John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. The focus of her work at JCU was and is to establish and maintain an environment that supports learning, encourages a strong sense of community, and promotes student development through active engagement in university life. 

Pilar currently directly supervises the areas of Athletics, Outdoor Education Programs, Performing Arts, Student Activities and Trips, and Student Leadership Programs (OL, OSA, Student Clubs). She is part of the board of the Crisis Management Team of her University, as well as the University strategic planning committee.

Pilar is a certified Student Leadership Challenge practitioner, and her continued interest in intercultural leadership makes her curious about all new trends in the field. She is an active member AACUPI, NASPA, EUCA among other associations.

Over the last 22 years, Laura has worked extensively with young people from all corners of the globe as a youth worker, international programme manager and student affairs professional.  She has a deep passion for supporting young people to develop and realise their talents, especially in a global context.  Her work as an international youth work programme manager took her to Ghana, Pakistan and South Africa where she lived and worked developing reciprocal exchange programmes in partnership with youth development organisations.  Using experiential learning methodologies and through reciprocal exchange, these youth programmes enabled young people to grow, establish their identity and develop soft skills.  After a period of youth work programme management in the UK, Laura relocated to Germany with her family, where her career took a new path into Higher Education and Student Affairs.  Working as a Resident Mentor in a residence hall in Constructor University Bremen, an international private university in northern Germany, she was responsible for the development of a learning community for 260 students.  Her work included mentoring and coaching students, providing welfare crisis management support and developing programmes to help student integrate into the diverse community on campus.  In January 2023, Laura moved into a new role as the Head of Student Life and Support where she is currently responsible for the management of residential life, counselling and intercultural services and student engagement and activities.