Meet the Chief Editor
Dr. Mustafa Kayyali
Chief Editor, Encyclopedia of Higher Education
Dr. Mustafa Kayyali is a renowned academic strategist, higher education reformist, and knowledge mobilizer who brings together an exceptional combination of leadership, scholarship, and global collaboration. As the Chief Editor of the Encyclopedia of Higher Education, Dr. Kayyali envisions a pioneering global reference that transcends borders, disciplines, and ideologies—becoming the most comprehensive compendium on higher education in the 21st century.
With over 10 years of academic and professional experience, Dr. Kayyali has contributed to the advancement of higher education systems in more than 40 countries. He currently serves as the Manager of QA and Accreditation Centre at Maaref University of Applied Sciences and is the Founder and Director of the HE Higher Education Ranking Initiative. He is also the author or editor of over 20 books and 80 book chapters and papers in the fields of higher education, AI, academic quality, internationalization, and ethics in education.
What Sets Dr. Kayyali Apart?
Cross-Continental Experience: From accreditation consultancy in Europe to strategic planning in the MENA region and academic reform in Asia, Dr. Kayyali’s global footprint allows him to bring inclusive, multi-perspective insights to the encyclopedia.
Institution Builder: He is not just a scholar, but a builder—leading initiatives such as the founding of Maaref University’s Research Centre, the Quality Assurance Centre, and a dedicated university-affiliated academic publishing house.
Citation and Impact-Oriented: A passionate advocate for knowledge visibility, Dr. Kayyali has meticulously designed the encyclopedia to ensure maximum citation, discoverability, and global academic reach.
Human-Centered Leadership: As a burn survivor who turned personal adversity into academic excellence, he has consistently empowered communities of students, researchers, and institutional leaders to see higher education as a tool for hope, mobility, and justice.
From Vision to Reality: Dr. Kayyali’s Mission for the Encyclopedia
To curate the largest global reference on higher education, written by over 200 scholars from 80+ countries
To ensure equal space for voices from the Global South, emerging systems, and conflict-affected regions
To push for real-world relevance, where chapters don’t just theorize, but influence policy and practice
To build an active knowledge network that continues beyond publication—through events, summits, and partnerships
14
Published books
12
books under publications
+75
Reviewed papers and book chapters
Building a Legacy: Why This Encyclopedia Matters
With institutions, policymakers, and accreditation agencies turning to evidence-based, inclusive, and context-sensitive reforms, the Encyclopedia of Higher Education comes at a historic moment. Under Dr. Kayyali’s leadership, this project is not just a publication; it’s a living archive of policy shifts, pedagogical innovations, global equity debates, and transformative knowledge systems.
Dr. Kayyali brings rigor to the editorial process, but also inspiration. His ability to mentor contributors, collaborate with leading publishers like AAP, and drive international participation makes him uniquely positioned to deliver on the encyclopedia’s ambitious goals.
Editorial Philosophy: A Global, Just, and Forward-Thinking Encyclopedia
The Encyclopedia of Higher Education is a response to a fractured world of educational disparities, fragmented knowledge, and isolated reforms. Under the editorial direction of Dr. Mustafa Kayyali, this project was conceived with a clear purpose: to create a living body of global knowledge that bridges systems, amplifies unheard voices, and serves as both a historical record and a roadmap for future transformation.
Dr. Kayyali’s editorial vision is anchored in fairness, relevance, and depth. Every volume has been carefully curated to reflect pressing challenges—governance, digital transformation, quality assurance, academic labor, ethics, and more—while also spotlighting innovations from non-dominant systems, indigenous contexts, and post-conflict zones.
A Project of Unprecedented Scope
This is not a traditional encyclopedia. With 13 volumes, over 400 projected authors, and contributions from ministers, university presidents, and global thought leaders, this work has been engineered for strategic depth and global influence.
Dr. Kayyali has mobilized an expansive network of scholars, international reviewers, and academic institutions to ensure the encyclopedia’s credibility, accuracy, and reach. With the support of Maaref University of Applied Sciences and Academic Association Publishing (AAP), this project is both academically ambitious and institutionally backed.
Mission and Values
Advancing Knowledge Through Inclusive Scholarship
Dr. Kayyali is committed to democratizing access to academic knowledge by fostering platforms that welcome diverse voices from around the globe. He believes that inclusive, interdisciplinary dialogue is key to solving the world’s most pressing educational and societal challenges.
Cultivating Ethical Excellence in Higher Education
He upholds integrity, transparency, and social responsibility as foundational pillars of academic leadership. Through his work, Dr. Kayyali ensures that innovation in research and publishing never comes at the cost of ethical rigor.
Bridging Human Intelligence and Machine Innovation
Rooted in his human-machine model, Dr. Kayyali dedicates his life to synergizing relentless human effort with cutting-edge digital tools to expand the frontiers of learning. For him, technology is not a replacement for human intellect but a powerful extension of it.
Building Global Networks for Sustainable Impact
Dr. Kayyali’s mission transcends borders, driven by a vision to connect institutions, researchers, and educators in meaningful and sustainable partnerships. He believes that global cooperation, not competition, is the engine of long-term academic progress.
🌐 Global Perspective, Grounded Leadership
Thanks to his intensive publishing record, global collaborations, and editorial oversight, Dr. Kayyali has become a key reference for thought leadership in higher education transformation, especially in post-conflict regions and emerging economies. He brings cultural fluency, editorial vision, and institutional experience to every volume he curates—ensuring each chapter is both academically sound and globally inclusive.
His future vision is bold, inclusive, and guided by his tireless belief in human potential—supported by well-designed, technology-enhanced systems. The Encyclopedia of Higher Education reflects not just his work, but his identity.
International Speaker
From drafting thematic calls and designing peer review systems to handpicking advisory boards and guiding international contributors, Dr. Kayyali’s role has been comprehensive. His background in quality assurance, internationalization, and accreditation enabled him to structure volumes that respond to both systemic and grassroots concerns in global higher education.
The Human-Machine Model: A Life Dedicated to Purposeful Work
For Dr. Mustafa Kayyali, editing, writing, and managing complex academic ecosystems is not just a career—it is a way of being. He lives what he calls the “Human-Machine Model”: a hybrid existence where personal willpower, passion, and academic vision intersect with cutting-edge technology, automation tools, and cognitive systems to deliver large-scale impact.
This model is not merely a workflow—it is a declaration. It means Dr. Kayyali was born to work. Every hour is purposefully built around advancing knowledge, coordinating international projects, mentoring contributors, and editing vast bodies of research. His life is structured not around leisure but around the pursuit of excellence in academia.
Where others pause, he persists. Where processes stall, he reengineers. His reputation is built on responsiveness, speed, depth, and accountability—delivering in weeks what many cannot in years.
Connect with Dr. Mustafa Kayyali
For inquiries, collaborations, or to share your academic interest in the Encyclopedia of Higher Education or related initiatives, you may reach Dr. Mustafa Kayyali directly via email or through his official social media channels.