The University of Information Technology and Communications organized a scientific seminar titled “Strategic Thinking and Planning in Higher Education Institutions,” in line with the directives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to implement the National Strategy for Education and Training programs by May 2025.

The seminar was held by the Continuous Education Center in collaboration with the College of Business Informatics and was presented by Dr. Abdullah Nahad, a faculty member at the college. He highlighted the key stages of strategic planning in higher education institutions, which include environmental analysis, self-assessment, formulating vision, mission, and values, identifying strategic goals, developing action plans, and establishing mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation.

The seminar addressed the concept of strategic thinking as a mental process aimed at achieving specific goals, emphasizing the importance of having a concise and expressive institutional vision that focuses on the ambition for excellence and motivates employees through emotional and engaging language, while also considering realism and feasibility.

Additionally, the seminar discussed the definition of the educational institution’s mission and its importance in answering fundamental questions such as the purpose of the institution’s existence, the nature of its work, the beneficiaries of its services, and how these services are delivered.

The seminar concluded with a discussion on the steps for analyzing the current situation of the institution, selecting the appropriate strategy, and then evaluating performance and reviewing plans according to the set goals, along with presenting successful global models from universities that have adopted strategic planning as a basis for development.