HBMSU puts learner experience at the centre of its quality vision in the age of AI

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has placed the learner experience at the centre of its approach to quality and institutional excellence, as it explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of digital education.

The University held its main event for World Quality Week 2026 on November 11 under the theme “Reimagining Quality: From the House of Quality to the Future of Excellence”, aligned with this year’s global theme, “Quality: Powering Performance”.

The virtual event brought together academics, experts, learners and alumni to discuss how quality frameworks can evolve beyond compliance and quality assurance towards creating measurable value, improving efficiency and adopting smart technologies responsibly.

Discussions focused on the potential of AI to enhance learning and academic services while maintaining accuracy, accountability and human judgment.

AI and the future of quality in education

A panel discussion examined how AI could accelerate service delivery and improve institutional outcomes without compromising quality standards or human oversight.

Learners and alumni also shared their perspectives on the future of quality in higher education. Students enrolled in HBMSU’s Doctor of Philosophy in Quality Management programme presented research projects, highlighting the role of academic research in developing solutions to institutional challenges.

The event also highlighted the University’s Quality Charter, which places impact and measurable outcomes at the heart of its institutional approach. The charter outlines six commitments: creating meaningful added value, simplifying and continuously improving processes, delivering services faster while maintaining trust, innovating responsibly, making quality a shared responsibility, and translating quality initiatives into measurable results.

Proposed initiatives to improve learner experience

HBMSU presented two proposed initiatives aimed at improving the learner experience and making academic processes more efficient.

The first initiative focuses on providing learners with faster feedback from faculty members, enabling them to better understand their performance and identify areas for improvement in academic assessments.

Dr Fahad Alsaadi, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at HBMSU, said the event reflected the University’s commitment to embedding quality principles into its everyday practices.

He said HBMSU was developing ways to measure performance in higher education and assess how improvements translate into a better learner experience and higher-quality academic services.

Alsaadi also highlighted the University's academic programmes in quality and excellence, including the Bachelor of Business and Quality Management, Master of Science in Organisational Excellence, and Doctor of Philosophy in Quality Management.

He added that the event provided an opportunity to examine how AI could support academic decision-making while preserving accuracy, accountability and the role of human decision-makers.

According to Alsaadi, the focus would extend beyond discussions, with the University planning 90 days of follow-up and measurement to put recommendations into practice. The proposed initiatives aim to improve learner services, increase academic efficiency and strengthen a culture of continuous improvement across the institution.

World Quality Week programme runs until November 13

HBMSU’s World Quality Week programme runs from November 9 to 13, 2026, featuring interactive activities and surveys exploring how AI can improve learning and university services while safeguarding accuracy, accountability and human judgment.

The programme encourages the University community to contribute to discussions on the future of quality and identify areas where improvements are needed.

Through the initiative, HBMSU aims to reinforce its position in quality, institutional excellence and smart education by bringing together knowledge, technology and responsible innovation to support the long-term development of education and the wider community.