Houssam El Zein

High profile lectures and distinguished speakers

Marketing and communications for more than 100 high profile lectures, bringing globally significant and sensitive topics to a university audience.

(Hamad Bin Khalifa University)
(Higher Education · Events & Advocacy)
All case studies
H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at Hamad Bin Khalifa University
(Context)

Across my career I organized and led marketing and communication for over 100 high profile lectures featuring distinguished speakers on globally significant and often sensitive topics. Promoting these lectures, raising awareness and driving attendance sat at the center of the university's public discourse program.

(In practice)
His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the United Nations General Assembly, at Hamad Bin Khalifa University
His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the United Nations General Assembly, at Hamad Bin Khalifa University
United Nations Secretary-General addressing the HBKU audience
United Nations Secretary-General addressing the HBKU audience
(Results)

Notable lectures included H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the importance of multilateralism in a time of unprecedented challenges. His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the United Nations General Assembly, on the power of youth, education and innovation in addressing global challenges. Ms Dalia Mogahed, former White House advisor, on faith based and neighborhood partnerships. Mr Ali Soufan, founder of The Soufan Center in New York, on global terrorism trends and the role of education. Jim Adams, former NASA Deputy Chief Technologist, on how investing in big space science benefits life on Earth.

(My role)

I organized and led the marketing and communication effort behind these lectures, covering promotion, awareness and attendance.

(Related work)
Institutional Brand Build
Positioned a newly founded Qatar Foundation university as a regional leader, with one brand held coherent across 12 entities.
Graduate Recruitment & Enrollment Program
The communications engine behind HBKU's graduate enrollment: integrated campaigns, education fairs, open houses and enrollment cycles across nine consecutive years.
2015-2023
HBKU 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
HBKU's tenth-anniversary celebration, attended by His Highness the Father Amir and Her Highness Sheikha Moza.
2021
Function Build: Marketing & Communications
Built and scaled the university's full marcomms function over nearly a decade, leading a 40+ cross-functional team.
(Work with me)

Your institution is different. The problem usually isn't.