Al-Tatbiqi: Introduction of Future Specializations
The Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, chaired by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Nader Al-Jalal, discussed expanding programs and priority disciplines, as well as introducing specialized fields aligned with labor market needs and future development projects. These include railway systems maintenance, food security, energy, sustainability, and resource efficiency.
Dr. Hassan Al-Fajam, Director General of the Authority, confirmed that the meeting reviewed a comprehensive future vision for developing the system of disciplines and programs, aiming to keep pace with economic and technological transformations and meet current and future labor market requirements. He noted that the vision seeks to enhance the readiness of national cadres and open new career opportunities for graduates of the “Applied” Authority.
Regarding the analysis of disciplines, Dr. Al-Fajam stated in a press release that the meeting presented an integrated vision for developing the discipline system, beginning with an assessment of the status of programs offered for the 2026/2027 academic and training year, alongside disciplines where admissions were temporarily suspended due to a lack of current demand. This process led to identifying priority areas in which the Authority could expand, reintroduce, or develop new programs. He clarified that preparing this vision was based on an analysis of admission data from the past five years, trends in student interest across various disciplines, and their correlation with graduate data, career paths, employment opportunities, and labor market needs.
On coordination, he pointed out that the formulation of this vision also took into account the outcomes of coordination meetings with the Civil Service Bureau, the Public Authority for Manpower, and several government and private entities. These meetings involved deans of colleges, directors of institutes, and the Graduate Follow-up and Labor Market Department, with the aim of achieving a more accurate understanding of labor market needs and future trends.
He added that discussions covered several future disciplinary pathways, including a specialized program in railway systems maintenance. This program aims to train national technical cadres in maintenance, operations, safety, and supporting systems. He explained that this direction aligns with the state’s move toward implementing the railway project and its associated technical and human resource needs, thereby enhancing the Authority’s role in providing qualified national cadres for major development projects.
Regarding food security, he noted that the proposed areas for expansion and new programs also included disciplines related to food security and sustainability, energy, sustainability, and resource efficiency. These fields support national priorities, keep pace with rapid transformations in economic and technological sectors, and strengthen the capacity of national cadres to work in future-oriented fields.
