Innovating Financing, Humanising Solutions
During the NAFSA Pavilion session on “Leading Inclusive Higher Education Opportunities Through Innovative Financing Partnerships,” EAA Foundation shared key insights into the financial challenges obstructing access to higher education for marginalised youth.
EAA Foundation illustrated that as global economic pressures rise, vulnerable learners face growing exclusion. Yet, where many see limitations, EAA Foundation sees opportunity. Through innovative financing models, the Foundation has unlocked sustainable pathways to fund education, ensuring that even amid a crisis, young people can continue to dream and grow. The session called on global stakeholders, governments, funders, and institutions to go beyond traditional aid and embrace human-centred investment. Sadly, we have too often seen that the cost of exclusion far outweighs the investment in inclusive, transformative learning.
When Wars Are Forgotten, Education Must Not Be
In the panel discussion titled “Forgotten Wars and the Social Responsibility of International Education,” we addressed the profound impact of protracted conflicts, from Gaza to Sudan to Afghanistan, on education systems and learners. The panel emphasised that education is not only a casualty of war but a potential catalyst for peace. Al Fakhoora’s response includes unique scholarship models and partnerships with top-tier universities in over 10 countries. These efforts aim to ensure that conflict-affected youth are not only remembered but also empowered.
EAA Foundation called on education leaders to recognise their institutional responsibility, to join EAA Foundation efforts in designing inclusive, adaptive models that respond to the realities of displacement and conflict, and to uphold the right to learn, even in the most challenging environments.
Reimagining Higher Education for the Most Marginalised
By Talal Alhathal
In a world where wars rage on, economies falter, and inequality deepens, the role of education has never been more critical nor more urgent. At the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference and Expo in San Diego, Education Above All Foundation stood with thousands of global education leaders to ask a fundamental question: Who gets to imagine a future, and who is denied this chance?
At this event, Al Fakhoora programme was able to mirror EAA Foundation’s voice and vision at this global stage. EAA Foundation was founded with a bold mission, to ensure that every child and youth, regardless of circumstance, can access their fundamental right to quality education. At NAFSA, we shared not only what we do, but why we do it.
Removing Barriers, Restoring Dignity
At the NAFSA Symposium on Leadership, themed “Today’s Refugees, Tomorrow’s Students and Changemakers,” we highlighted EAA’s unwavering commitment to youth affected by displacement, poverty, and war. With over 300 education projects reaching more than 22million learners across 60+ countries, EAA Foundation showcased the power of aligned partnerships to unlock opportunities for the most marginalised. The Foundation emphasised that its role goes far beyond funding. Through strong coalitions with governments, UN agencies, universities, NGOs, and the private sector, EAA Foundation works to systematically dismantle the barriers refugees face in accessing higher education. EAA Foundation operates on a core belief: while talent is universal, opportunity is not - and that disparity must be addressed.
A Meeting of Shared Purpose
In a dedicated meeting with Dr. Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA, the Director of Al Fakhoora, Mr. Talal Alhathal, explored opportunities for deepened collaboration. Discussions focused on building sustainable education solutions for young people in crisis settings and leveraging collective influence to reaffirm education as a fundamental human right, not a privilege.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
EAA Foundation envisions a world where no child’s or youth’s future is defined by their birthplace, their passport, or the politics of conflict. The Foundation’s presence at NAFSA 2025 served as a global call to action, a reminder that realising this vision requires bold partnerships, innovative solutions, and a shared belief in the power of human potential.
Talal Alhathal
Al Fakhoora - Director
Talal Alhathal is the Director of the Al Fakhoora Programme at Education Above All, leading efforts to transform lives through access to quality higher education. His programme has provided scholarships for over 10,000 vulnerable and conflict-affected youth worldwide. He also managed the operation of Together programme, an initiative to ensure continuity of education for marginalized children and youth in Qatar. Since its inception, the Together programme has served over 10,000 students. With a strong background in strategy, monitoring, and risk management, Talal brings a data-driven and innovative approach to tackling educational inequality. Prior to his current position, Talal played a key role in establishing Education Above All's robust monitoring and risk management framework. Leveraging his expertise in strategy development, data analysis, and risk management, he has demonstrably improved the Foundation's operational efficiency and impact. Talal holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
