Bahraini Minister Emphasizes Importance of Strengthening Gulf Cooperation in Higher Education and Scientific Research
Manama, 16 Sep (KUNA) -- Bahraini Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Muhammad Jumaa, emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation mechanisms among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in the fields of higher education and scientific research, keeping pace with global developments by adopting the latest technologies and scientific methods, developing academic programs, and attracting academic talent.
In a speech delivered while presiding over the 26th meeting of the GCC Committee of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Manama on Wednesday, attended by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Nader Al-Jalal, Minister Jumaa stated that such efforts would contribute to developing human capital and supplying the Gulf labor market with qualified professionals.
He highlighted several GCC projects and initiatives in this area, including the unified reference guide for the equivalence of academic degrees, the Gulf database, the strategic plan for innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education, as well as enhancing innovation and digital transformation.
He expressed Bahrain’s expectation for further cooperation through the exchange of expertise, expanding the scope of mutual recognition of qualifications, academic degrees, and academic programs, strengthening student exchange programs, and developing the scientific research and academic program systems to align with economic transformations.
For his part, Khalid Al-Sanadi, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat, affirmed that higher education and scientific research constitute one of the key links for economic and developmental strength. He pointed to the importance of enhancing the educational system’s capacity to generate knowledge, convert scientific research into economic and developmental value, and equip students with the skills necessary to meet labor market demands.
He noted that higher education institutions in the GCC member states enroll approximately 1.8 million students and employ more than 175,000 faculty members across more than 282 higher education institutions, underscoring the importance of building on this educational and research foundation to enhance integration, quality, and competitiveness.
The meeting concluded by affirming that global economic transformations, the digital boom, and the growing role of artificial intelligence call for continued efforts to elevate Gulf university education, improve its indicators and rankings, to meet labor market requirements, serve national and GCC priorities, and fulfill students’ aspirations.
Prior to the meeting, a consultative session was held among the ministers, during which views were exchanged on several issues related to higher education and scientific research, and the challenges and opportunities facing this sector were discussed in light of the rapid developments witnessed worldwide.
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