Doha, November 02 (QNA) - HE Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen in Doha Salah Khaled highlighted on Monday the pioneering role played by the State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, praising its constructive partnership and steadfast support for education, innovation, and international cooperation.

Delivering a speech during the opening session of the Fifth UNESCO Conference on Higher Education in the Arab region, which convened on Monday in Doha under the theme “The New Landscape of Learning in Higher Education in the Arab Region”, he acknowledged the vision of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and his contributions to creating a qualitative shift in Qatar’s higher education trajectory, which has positively impacted the entire Arab region.

HE Director of the UNESCO Regional Office noted that the conference holds immense significance amid rapid global transformations shaping higher education systems, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, evolving labor market demands, and academic mobility. He highlighted that the Arab region has achieved notable progress, with higher education enrollment reaching approximately 15 million students and a gross enrollment rate of 37 percent in 2024.

HE UNESCO Regional Director stated that the primary challenge lies in elevating educational quality and equipping learners for the future through innovation and inclusive principles.

He highlighted two key milestones coinciding with the conference: the entry into force of the revised regional convention on the recognition of higher education studies, certificates, and academic degrees in the Arab states, commending the ratifying nations (the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Lebanon, the State of Palestine, and the Republic of Yemen), and the launch of the Arabic version of UNESCO’s global roadmap, "Transforming Higher Education: A Global Ambition, A Shared Achievement."

He also pointed out four core priorities identified by UNESCO for transforming higher education: expanding equitable access and student success, strengthening institutional capacity and quality, leveraging responsible digital transformation and ethical AI, and deepening regional and global cooperation.

In conclusion, HE Salah Khaled urged participating delegations to translate the conference outcomes into concrete, actionable commitments, ensuring the benefits reach vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities, youth in conflict zones, refugees, and displaced persons, to build a brighter future for Arab higher education. (QNA)