Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging educational leaders and key decision makers of higher education institutions (HEIs) to rethink and remodel their vision and notion of excellence. In the Gulf, in particular, how do/how should HEIs “metamorphose” during these difficult times? How do/should HEIs adapt to the situational demands and circumstantial expectations brought about by the pandemic? What educational reforms will HEIs continue to grapple with the ripples of the pandemic? What are the ramifications of the pandemic in the context of higher education reforms in the Gulf?This workshop is a timely and highly recommended platform for discourse, reflection, networking, and collaboration among higher education leaders and managers, quality education specialists, curriculum developers, researchers on higher education and quality management, and those who are interested in navigating, understanding, and exploring the challenges in the COVID environment and the lessons these hold for general higher education reform in the Gulf. Theoretical, empirical, policy-oriented, strategy-driven, and practice-inclined papers that examine challenges in COVID environments will be ideal for this workshop.