Doha: A GCC delegation of higher education and scientific research specialists has recently concluded a two-day visit to the State of Qatar. This visit was part of the ongoing efforts to implement the decisions and recommendations made during the 24th Meeting of GCC Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which took place in Doha in June 2024.
According to Qatar News Agency, the primary aim of the visit was to enhance cooperation and share best practices among GCC member states through regular visits. The delegation commenced its activities with a meeting with Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, at the Higher Education Affairs Sector of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE).
During the meeting, Dr. Hareb Al Jabri, the Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs at MoEHE, participated virtually along with representatives from the GCC General Secretariat and delegations from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman, including Kuwaiti academic institutions that joined remotely. The sector’s department directors presented their efforts and initiatives related to higher education in Qatar, focusing on credential evaluation, student exchange programs, and other significant projects.
The delegation also engaged with Dr. Mazen Hasna, Chair of the National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation, to discuss the committee’s operations and cooperation with the General Secretariat and international organizations. This visit was part of the activities of the Higher Education Planning, Coordination, and Follow-up Committee, endorsed at the 25th Meeting of the Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Kuwait in May 2025. The committee aims to explore shared concerns, review best practices in higher education and scientific research, and discuss ways to improve universities’ international rankings.
Representatives from Qatar in this committee included Dr. Batool Al Sayed, Director of the Higher Education Institutions Department, and Amina Al Bouainain, International Studies Consultant at the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.
On the second day, the delegation visited the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), where UDST President Dr. Salem bin Nasser Al Naemi presented the university’s achievements. The delegation also toured the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) and met with DI President Dr. Abdelwahab El Affendi, who emphasized efforts in fostering cooperation with GCC states and recruiting Gulf students.
The GCC General Secretariat expressed gratitude for the shared experiences and initiatives, which facilitated discussions on the future of higher education and opportunities for joint agreements in quality assurance. Qatar showcased its higher education landscape, highlighting Gulf students’ participation in its universities and ongoing initiatives aligned with joint Gulf objectives.