Navigating Institutional and National Challenges with Clarity
Research ecosystems balance competing priorities, evolving policies, and pressure to deliver measurable societal impact. Universities, research centres, and ministries alike operate in environments where one-size-fits-all solutions fall short. Knowledge E applies a bespoke consultancy approach that addresses both institutional and national contexts. With more than 12 years of experience supporting governments, higher education institutions, and research organisations, we design strategies that align with national and institutional mandates and policy objectives, reinforced by structures that ensure continuity and resilience.
Our Core Consultancy Domains
Comprehensive consultancy services across the pillars of institutional and policy advancement.
At Knowledge E, we understand the ambitions and challenges of higher education leaders across the MENA region. As reputation, collaboration, and innovation redefine the markers of success, ministries and universities must adapt with intention. Our consultancy equips institutions not merely to keep pace, but to lead with clarity and purpose.
Driving Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
In today’s interconnected academic world, no institution thrives in isolation. We help universities and ministries build meaningful, high-value partnerships with leading global institutions, industry players, and regional networks. From co-developing joint research programmes to establishing strategic alliances with international partners, we ensure collaborations are active catalysts of visibility, funding, and impact.
Enhancing Academic Reputation and Rankings
Global recognition matters. For students, faculty, and funders, rankings signal excellence and credibility. We work closely with leadership teams to improve the metrics that truly matter, like research output, international collaboration, citations, and student experience, which materialise into sustainably better ranking. Beyond the numbers, we help institutions tell their story to the world, positioning them as leaders of knowledge, innovation, and societal contribution.
Developing Academic Leadership Expertise
Enduring institutions rely on strong leaders who align strategy with academic values and guide adaptation to change. Limited leadership capacity hinders strategic focus, innovation, and progress while well-informed, proactive leaders enable universities to set clear priorities, co-ordinate resources effectively, and seize opportunities that drive long-term growth. We design bespoke leadership development programmes that equip deans, department heads, and senior administrators with the vision, skills, and confidence to guide their institutions through change.
Fostering a High-Impact Research Culture
Research is the heartbeat of a world-class university. But excellence in research requires more than publishing papers—it demands a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and capacity building. We partner with universities to strengthen research ecosystems: from establishing interdisciplinary centres of excellence to building faculty capabilities in publishing, funding acquisition, and innovation. The outcome is a research culture that produces real-world impact, elevates rankings, and attracts top global talent.
Supporting Strategic Talent Acquisition
The right people define the future of an institution. Yet, attracting and retaining world-class faculty and leadership talent is one of the greatest challenges in the MENA region’s higher education sector. We help institutions design and implement strategic talent acquisition frameworks that go beyond filling vacancies. From identifying global and regional talent pools to shaping attractive value propositions, we ensure universities secure leaders, researchers, and educators who elevate academic standards, drive innovation, and reinforce long-term competitiveness.
Advancing Curriculum and Assessment Development
The credibility of a university rests on the quality and relevance of its programmes. Today’s learners and tomorrow’s economies demand curricula that are future-ready, industry-aligned, and globally benchmarked. We collaborate with ministries and universities to modernise curricula, integrate digital learning methodologies, and establish robust assessment frameworks. Our approach balances global best practices with local context, maximising graduates’ employability, and preparing them to succeed in the workforce of the future.
Innovation Ecosystem Mapping and Strategic Alignment
Innovation has become a national and institutional imperative. Many institutions, however, struggle to connect their research, talent, and industry collaborations into a coherent ecosystem. We provide innovation ecosystem mapping an in-depth analysis of existing capacities, gaps, and opportunities with strategic alignment plans that position universities as hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship. Whether building technology transfer offices, establishing start-up incubators, or aligning with national innovation strategies, we help leaders transform ambition into tangible socio-economic impact.
Journal Advisory and Management
Knowledge E’s Journal Advisory consultancy supports institutions, societies, and editorial teams in developing, strengthening, and strategically positioning their journals. Our experts provide guidance on journal scope, editorial structure, peer review management, indexing readiness, and ethical publishing practices. Each consultation is tailored to align with international standards and the specific goals of the journal, ensuring sustainable growth, enhanced credibility, and greater visibility within the global research community.
Grant Proposal Editing and Advisory Support
Our Grant Proposal Editing and Advisory Support service offers a comprehensive approach to strengthening research funding applications from both the evaluative and applicant perspectives. It provides impartial, expert assessments through double-blind, criteria-based peer review, delivering objective scores and consolidated feedback that highlight key strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring fairness, rigour, and confidence in evaluation outcomes. At the same time, it supports researchers directly by refining proposal structure, coherence, methodological clarity, and narrative strength to ensure each proposal communicates its objectives persuasively and meets funder expectations, helping applicants craft competitive submissions that stand out in the global research funding landscape.
Journal Advisory and Management
Knowledge E’s Journal Advisory consultancy supports institutions, societies, and editorial teams in developing, strengthening, and strategically positioning their journals. Our experts provide guidance on journal scope, editorial structure, peer review management, indexing readiness, and ethical publishing practices. Each consultation is tailored to align with international standards and the specific goals of the journal, ensuring sustainable growth, enhanced credibility, and greater visibility within the global research community.
Bespoke, Context-Optimised Solutions
Solutions developed based on institutional priorities and governmental frameworks, ensuring adaptable, actionable strategies.
Renowned Policy and Academic Advisors
Senior experts with deep experience in higher education, research policy, and international consultancy.
Data-Informed, Results-Oriented Consulting
Projects grounded in evidence, with clear alignment to measurable goals and outcomes.
Forward-Thinking Expertise
Insights capturing emerging trends, sector innovation, and policy evolution.
Transferable Methodologies and Tools
Frameworks and resources designed for sustainable use beyond the immediate consultancy engagement.
Multi-Level Relevance
Approaches that consider every stakeholder: leadership, teams, and departments, integrating perspectives to identify practical changes and actions that collectively achieve the defined organisational goals.
Methodology: Collaborative | Structured | Results-driven
1. Analysis
Engage with stakeholders to define priorities and outcomes.
2. Design
Develop tailored strategies and solutions that reflect institutional and national contexts.
3. Delivery
Execute with precision, coordinating multi-stakeholder processes.
4. Evaluation
Embed robust measurement tools to demonstrate impact, capture insights, and guide future strategy.
Are You Ready to Advance Strategic Impact?
Partner with Knowledge E to harness evidence-based strategies, research intelligence, and institutional foresight. Take the next step toward optimising resources, enhancing academic performance, and strengthening global research reputation.