Arab states adopt HE roadmap for sustainable development

The 22 member states of the Arab League have adopted a higher education and scientific research framework aimed at leveraging technology, ensuring academic quality, and fostering partnerships to position higher education as a driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This framework was outlined in the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the 19th Conference of Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research from 27 to 28 November.

The conference was organised by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in collaboration with the Tunisia-based Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO).

Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, minister of human resources and emiratisation and acting minister of higher education and scientific research in the UAE, said the Abu Dhabi Declaration “reflects a unified Arab commitment to leveraging technology, ensuring academic quality, and fostering partnerships to advance higher education in the region”.

Secretary-General of the Department of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation in Morocco, Mohamed Khalfaoui, expressed the hope that the conclusions of the conference would contribute to the realisation of “our common vision of an efficient Arab higher education system that meets our ambitions”.

Key issues

The declaration calls for enhanced cooperation in higher education and scientific research among Arab countries to achieve integration and exchange of expertise and knowledge.

It encourages joint research projects between higher education institutions in Arab countries in the field of innovation, leadership, and sustainable solutions to regional and global challenges. It also envisages an enhanced role for artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies in raising the level of higher education.

In addition, the declaration calls for quality and excellence in higher education and scientific research in line with international standards and encourages partnerships between higher education institutions and the public and private sectors to finance joint pioneering scientific research projects that serve priority areas to support economic and social growth in Arab countries.

Furthermore, the declaration calls for academic innovation incubators and start-up companies and the preparation of qualified graduates who meet the changing needs of the labour market in Arab countries.

In addition to academic programmes that focus on sustainability to keep pace with global developments and challenges, the declaration calls for comprehensive education through initiatives that contribute to lifelong learning opportunities for all (SDG 4).

Discussions touched on the activation of the ALECSO Fund for Scientific Research, Leadership and Innovation and the Common Arab Qualifications Framework aimed at standardising academic recognition across Arab countries, as well as the unified Arab system to verify the authenticity of academic certificates and protect them from forgery using blockchain technology.

Cautious welcome

Professor Hamed Ead, based in the faculty of science at Cairo University and the former cultural counsellor at the Egyptian Embassy in Morocco, told University World News that the Abu Dhabi Declaration was an important step towards improving higher education in the Arab region.

“However, there are challenges to its implementation,” he said. “These include limited funding, ensuring all institutions meet quality standards, integrating technology, and overcoming resistance to change.

“To address these challenges, Arab governments should increase funding for higher education and research, create training programmes for staff, build collaborative networks, and raise public awareness about the importance of these changes,” Ead noted.

Algerian higher education expert Dr Hana Saada, a lecturer at Algiers 1 University Benyoucef Benkhedda, told University World News the declaration marked “a pivotal moment for Arab higher education, positioning it as a cornerstone for sustainable development”.

“Its emphasis on fostering innovation and collaboration among Arab higher education institutions is commendable,” Saada said.

“However, challenges such as varying levels of institutional readiness, funding gaps, and regional disparities may hinder its full implementation.

"To address these challenges, a unified regional strategy, increased investment in research infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration between public and private sectors are crucial,” Saada said, adding that a sustained commitment to academic autonomy and fostering a research culture would be “vital for long-term success in scientific advancement across the Arab world”.

Internationalisation

Moneef Zou’bi, emeritus director-general of the Jordan-based Islamic World Academy of Sciences and science advisor to the InterAction Council, told University World News the Abu Dhabi declaration had not referred to initiatives for promoting higher education internationalisation in the Arab world along with problems facing it.

“Higher education internationalisation in the Arab world faces some difficulties,” Zou’bi said.

“I would say the reason for that lies in the fact that only a few Arab universities offer niche programmes that can be attractive to international students and faculty.

“Also, many universities do not actually aim to attract foreign students and faculty, and indeed many make little effort to market themselves and their educational programmes internationally.

“Lastly, the scarcity of quality Arabic language programmes in many Arab universities makes it difficult for foreign faculty and students to acquire Arabic language skills before moving to the Middle East to further their education,” Zou’bi explained.

“Although some Middle Eastern universities have schemes to support visiting faculty and students, this issue remains a hurdle together with issues acquiring visas and residence permits, etcetera,” he added.

Hollow resolutions

Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, UNESCO science prize laureate and former coordinator general of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the 57-country Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which includes the 22 Arab states, told University World News higher education has the potential to serve as a “transformative force for sustainable socio-economic development” in Arab states.

“By aligning academic institutions with national and regional priorities, the Arab world can unlock pathways for innovation, economic diversification, and societal progress. To achieve this vision, a multifaceted approach is required, integrating investment, policy reforms, technology, inclusivity, and collaboration.

“However, such declarations are not worth the paper that they are written on unless they are backed by solid financial commitments that must be at least 2% of GDP for science and technology and at least 6% of GDP for education,” Atta-ur-Rahman said.

He added that most Arab countries lack the vision or political will to take concrete steps in the right direction, “so they end up passing hollow resolutions” that are never implemented.

Linking HE policies with SDGs

Atta-ur-Rahman said one of the most pressing priorities for Arab states was the development of comprehensive policy frameworks that link higher education to the SDGs.

“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 exemplifies how a strategic policy framework can align education with economic diversification, reducing dependence on oil revenues. Similarly, the UAE’s National Higher Education Strategy 2030 highlights the importance of equipping graduates with skills relevant to a knowledge-based economy,” he stated.

“These policies must be supported by substantial financial investments, as demonstrated by Qatar’s Education City, which hosts global university branches and cutting-edge research facilities to foster academic and industrial excellence,” he noted.

According to Atta-ur-Rahman, a crucial aspect of transforming higher education was the promotion of research and development.

“Institutions like King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia lead by example, focusing on critical regional challenges such as renewable energy and water desalination,” he said.

“Enhancing quality assurance mechanisms is equally important. Independent bodies such as the UAE’s Commission for Academic Accreditation ensure that universities meet international standards, fostering global competitiveness.

“Focusing on STEM education is critical for preparing a workforce capable of driving innovation in key industries. Programmes at the Arab Open University in Kuwait emphasise areas like robotics and biotechnology, equipping students to contribute to emerging fields,” he said.

“Beyond technical education, fostering entrepreneurship is essential. The UAE’s Khalifa Innovation Center empowers students to transform innovative ideas into start-ups by providing mentorship and seed funding,” he noted.

Regional collaboration

Stressing the importance of regional collaboration, Atta-ur-Rahman said that the Arab Council for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research facilitates partnerships between universities across the region, enabling them to tackle shared challenges like water scarcity and climate change.

“These efforts must be complemented by lifelong learning initiatives, such as the UAE’s National Program for Continuous Learning, which equips working professionals with the skills needed to remain competitive in evolving job markets,” he stated.

He explained that securing long-term funding was essential to sustain such initiatives.

“Bahrain’s Higher Education Council demonstrates how partnerships with private companies and international donors can provide scholarships and research grants, ensuring financial stability,” he said, while digital education platforms like Edraak, initiated by the Queen Rania Foundation in Jordan, “expand access to quality learning opportunities across the region, breaking barriers to education for underserved populations”.

He said that at the end of the day, higher education could become a “powerful driver” of sustainable socio-economic development in Arab states if it was supported by political will.

“This, alas, is lacking so that this may be yet another exercise in futility,” he concluded.