Minister of Higher Education: Enhancing the quality of outputs and keeping pace with future developments and the developmental and economic needs of GCC countries
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Nader Al-Jalal, participated in the 26th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, held in Manama. The meeting discussed several priority files in the trajectory of higher education and scientific research in the Gulf region and adopted a number of decisions and recommendations aimed at developing cooperation frameworks among GCC member states. Among the most prominent of these was the executive regulations for research chairs at universities and higher education institutions in the State of Kuwait.
The meeting also discussed the preparation of a unified Gulf framework for classifying Arabic-language publication databases, an initiative to enhance partnerships between higher education institutions and the private sector in GCC countries, as well as the GCC guideline standards for academic accreditation.
In a statement to KUNA on the sidelines of the meeting, Dr. Nader Al-Jalal emphasized that the next phase of joint GCC efforts in higher education and scientific research requires transitioning toward more integrated and impactful initiatives and programs, leveraging the available capacities and expertise of GCC member states, particularly in the fields of scientific research, quality assurance, academic publishing, and partnerships with the private sector. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of outputs from higher education institutions, keep pace with future developments, and meet the developmental and economic needs of GCC countries.
Dr. Al-Jalal reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to advancing support for GCC cooperation in these areas, elevating it from mere knowledge exchange to building joint initiatives that deliver added value to students, researchers, and academic institutions, thereby contributing to the development of educational and research systems and strengthening the presence of Gulf universities and research institutions in the fields of knowledge and innovation.
He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, as the presiding country, for its excellent hosting and organization, and commended the efforts of the GCC Secretariat General in supporting joint GCC work and enhancing coordination among member states in the areas of higher education and scientific research.
