El-Dweik Joins Expert Panel on Bridging University Research to Practice
AAMU VP Speaks at Global Conference in Washington, D.C.
Alabama A&M University Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Dr. Majed
El-Dweik, was recently invited to Washington, D.C., to serve as an expert panelist at the World Bank Group Knowledge Café, held in conjunction with the organization’s 2025 Annual Meetings.
During the discussion, El-Dweik addressed a central question facing higher education worldwide: how university research—driven by some of the brightest emerging talent—moves beyond campus to deliver real-world solutions that strengthen economies and communities.
The World Bank Group is a global partnership of five international institutions working with 189 member countries to reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity. In addition to providing financing through loans, grants, and guarantees, the organization serves as one of the world’s leading sources of development knowledge, producing research, data, and policy guidance that inform global efforts in climate change, infrastructure, education, energy, and job creation.
Knowledge Cafés are public-facing forums hosted by the World Bank Group to spotlight applied research and practical solutions. These sessions bring together experts, practitioners, and institutions to examine how knowledge can be translated into measurable impact.
El-Dweik participated in the session titled “Building Skills and Bridging Gaps: Universities at the Center of the Jobs Agenda,” which focused on the role of higher education in workforce development and growth within the energy sector. He joined Dr. Eric Y. Danquah of the University of Ghana in a discussion moderated by Roya Rahmani, ambassador and director of external and corporate relations for global engagement at the World Bank Group.
The panel explored the theme “Powering Prosperity: Universities Driving Growth and Energy Jobs,” highlighting partnerships among the World Bank Group, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and African Centers of Excellence. The discussion emphasized practical knowledge generation, talent development, and scalable solutions that enable universities to bridge research and practice while creating economic opportunities.
The World Bank Group engages a global audience through its digital platforms, including Instagram, which has more than one million followers.
The full Knowledge Café discussion featuring Dr. El-Dweik is available to watch here.