Doha:The Fifth UNESCO Conference on Higher Education in the Arab States began in Doha on Monday, focusing on the theme "The New Learning Landscape in Higher Education in the Arab Region."
According to Qatar News Agency, the event is organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) in collaboration with UNESCO and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The conference is a two-day event attended by several dignitaries, including HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, HE Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board Dr. Nasser Bin Hamad Al Hinzab, and HE Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen in Doha Salah Khaled. Participants include academics, experts, decision-makers, and representatives from universities and regional and international organizations.
HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education emphasized the need for stronger cooperation among universities and academic institutions to address challenges such as the continuity of education in conflict zones, the use of artificial intelligence, and the preservation of the Arabic language in knowledge production. She noted the progress made by Arab universities in expanding access to higher education and advancing gender parity, while also highlighting ongoing disparities, particularly in countries like Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, and Syria.
The Minister revealed UNESCO estimates showing significant damage to university campuses in the Gaza Strip and Sudan. She called for efforts to support affected students and researchers and to ensure continuity in education and scientific research. Additionally, the Minister discussed the impact of AI on universities and urged the development of governance frameworks and updated assessment methods to enhance students' skills.
She praised the development of the Fanar model by the Qatar Computing Research Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and encouraged the adoption of Arabic language models as a joint Arab project. Furthermore, she highlighted the entry into force of the revised Arab Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates and Diplomas in Higher Education, urging more Arab states to join.
The Minister stressed the importance of achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) related to inclusive and equitable quality education and emphasized the value of the conference discussions in shaping Arab priorities for the post-2030 era. She concluded by advocating for complementarity among Arab universities to expand opportunities for students and researchers across the region.