UAE to Host Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Research Conference

UAE to Host 19th Conference of Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research

ABU DHABI,

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), is organizing a major event that will take place in the United Arab Emirates: the 19th Conference of Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research.The esteemed Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas in Abu Dhabi will host the conference on November 27–28, 2024.

The high-level event will bring together a key delegation led by the Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Participants will include representatives of Arab, regional and international educational development organizations, heads of local higher education institutions, and education experts.

The conference’s subject this year, “A Flexible Higher Education System Adapts to Rapid Global Developments,” aims to build policies that would support scientific research and higher education in the Arab world. The improvement of educational curricula, the creation of a competitive, world-class higher education system, and the efficiency of human resources will be the main topics of debate.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized that hosting this event is a testament to the UAE’s leadership in education at both the regional and international levels. He noted that this reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to education as a cornerstone of national development, aiming to foster and develop skills that drive sustainable development programs that promote social well-being.

The conference will provide a dynamic platform for the exchange of expertise in higher education and scientific research in Arab countries, facilitating meaningful dialogue on how to improve education systems in line with international best practices. Dr. Al Awar stressed the importance of working with Arab countries to develop policies and frameworks that can adapt to rapid technological, social and economic changes around the world. These efforts will strengthen educational and research institutions, increasing their global competitiveness.

Dr. Al Awar also emphasized the UAE’s dedication to enhancing its higher education system, emphasizing the need to match academic curricula with the demands of the labor market and the economic and social sectors. By means of this cooperative endeavor, the United Arab Emirates aims to provide pragmatic measures and tactics that convert lofty objectives into feasible results that satisfy the desires of Arab youth.

The UAE’s choice to host the conference was hailed by Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, who said it demonstrated the nation’s commitment to promoting cooperative Arab efforts in scientific research and higher education.
He noted that the UAE’s exemplary initiatives, including efforts in digital transformation, quality assurance, and governance, position the country as a leader in these fields. Dr. Ould Amar explained that ALECSO’s role in organizing the conference is part of a broader effort to unite Arab countries’ national endeavors in higher education, helping them achieve their development goals and fulfill their commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and education transformation.

Finally, the conference is expected to conclude with the issuance of the ‘Abu Dhabi Declaration’, a key document outlining strategies and resolutions that will guide the future progress of Arab higher education and scientific research institutions in the next century.