Middle East, North Africa, South Asia Area (MENASA)
Career and Workforce Development Supporting the Profession Global Division International Education
The Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) area encompasses a diverse range of higher education institutions, languages and cultures. The MENASA area is a vibrant community established in 2015 which continues to be a source of knowledge, development and opportunities offering growth prospects for numerous practitioners from three main areas: The Middle East (including GCC institutions); North Africa and South Asia.
The three subareas are diversified, hence establishing a rich environment for connecting, engaging and supporting student affairs professionals. Additionally, our MENASA teams, a group of leadership volunteers, with the support of our members, organize a wide range of supporting tools, activities and events including but not limited to webinars, conferences, training, mentoring, leadership and networking opportunities.
Message from the Director
It is with no doubt an honor to serve as the Director of the MENASA area. With a blend of strategic vision, leadership expertise, and a passion for driving excellence, I am eager to contribute to the continued success and growth of the MENASA Area. Creating a sustainable MENASA Area legacy is a challenging goal, however, and through empowering teams and individuals within MENASA, we can cultivate a dynamic, energetic, and self-motivated environment of achievements.
A key role of MENASA would be to provide our members with the necessary tools for resilience and adaptability to perceive challenges as engaging learning opportunities for growth and innovation. This role is incremental, especially as we are witnessing numerous changes in the work landscape as well as crises that are impacting our work and our personal life.
Together, I am confident that we can build a progression toward a future defined by particularity, impact, and prosperity.
Keeping connected, open channels of communication and openly share your innovative ideas so that we can thrive collectively. I am confident that together, we can build a future defined by uniqueness, impact, and prosperity.
Looking forward meeting you at our next Multaqa and Annual Conference.
Wadad El Housieni
Director, MENASA NASPA Area
رسالة من مدير عام منطقة ميناس
About the MENASA Area
In addition to promoting the NASPA mission, MENASA facilitates the development of indigenous student affairs practice, research and professional advancement including the generation of regionally based models of student affairs aligned with regional cultural norms and understandings.
Through the MENASA area, NASPA is able to bring its full array of resources, connections, research and insights to the region, and afford both professionals and aspiring professionals the ability to connect. In addition to the above, by establishing the MENASA Area, NASPA seeks to:
• Create more opportunities for regional networking—both online and in-person;
• Provide US-based NASPA members with an enriched understanding of the shared practices of student affairs professionals in the MENASA region as well as the unique culturally specific issues that both practitioners and students face when coming to the United States;
• Establish a global network that affords US student affairs professionals the opportunity to experience, learn and engage in student affairs from a MENASA perspective; and
• Serve as a key resource for understanding and research as it relates to students from the region.
Mission & Vision
MISSION
As a designated NASPA Area, MENASA furthers the NASPA mission and strives to embody its values within a local context to our area membership. The mission of MENASA is to engage and connect student affairs professionals in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia to build a culture of support, collaboration, innovation, research, and professional development.
VISION
Leading and advancing student affairs practices and research in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.
Professional Development
At the core of NASPA and the MENASA Area’s mission is to provide professional development for student affairs/student services professionals. The MENASA Area strives to provide such support through an annual area conference, online webinars, and other online and in person learning opportunities. Professional Development opportunities exist through a variety of mediums in the MENASA Area which are outlined on this page and related links. For all NASPA Events & Professional Development opportunities, in addition to the MENASA Area ones listed below, please see the NASPA Events & Professional Development page.
Please note that some opportunities may have a cost or have restricted access to NASPA MENASA Members only (*be marked accordingly).
MULTAQA NASPA (monthly gatherings)
These are presented within three specialty categories and run approximately October thru May.
A. Professional Competencies: ACPA/NASPA professional competency webinars presented by experienced and qualified professionals on each of the various competencies and addressing applications within the MENASA region. Professional Competencies
B. Special Topics/Presentations: Topic or theme driven webinars presented by experienced and qualified professionals on a range of topics relevant to the profession and within the MENASA area.
C. Topical Information (Topical Tuesdays): Field or topic specific discussion forums (sports, counselling, health services, advising, activities, etc.) designed to connect professionals to identify issues being encountered and explore within the MENASA area (each to be guided by a forum facilitator).
Interested in facilitating a Multaqa Webinar? If so please download, complete and submit the following form found here.
Recordings and presentations of past Multaqa Webinars are available on the Resources page.
MENASA Mentorship Program
A need was identified for an e-based mentoring program in the area to support professional growth and in particular that of new professionals and those without any prior graduate education or related experience. The program was founded in September 2017 and is structured so participants can engage (Oct. to April) in a single year experience.
For details see the MENASA Mentorship Program page.
Recordings and presentations of past Multaqa Webinars, which started in 2016, are available on the Resources page. Additional resources may be added to this page to support professionals in our area when available.
Some content may have restricted access to NASPA MENASA Members only. As possible content is provided in English and Arabic.
Other Opportunities
These may include but are not limited to special events for Careers in Student Affairs Month (October), case study competitions, one-day Drive-In Events, and others.
MENASA NASPA Conferences
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