19/05/2025
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19/05/2025
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Ministers of Education from GCC countries gather for a commemorative photo during the 9th committee meeting on Monday
KUWAIT CITY, May 19: Education Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabai announced three Gulf educational initiatives during the opening of the ninth meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Education in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on Monday. In his speech, Al-Tabtabai affirmed the commitment of Kuwait to support joint Gulf education; indicating that the meeting reflects the depth of partnership and integration among the GCC states in the field of education.
He said the three Gulf educational initiatives include the Gulf Youth Sports Initiative to promote physical activity and mental health among students, Unification of Academic Ladders among GCC States to enhance educational harmony and facilitate student mobility, and the Initiative to Promote a Common Gulf Identity in Educational Curricula. He disclosed that these initiatives are in line with the Kuwait 2035 vision, the sustainable development goals and the Gulf Education Vision 2030.
He confirmed the importance of adapting to contemporary challenges, specifically digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He pointed out that the meeting is a manifestation of the depth of Gulf ties and shared destiny, affirming the unity of path and the integration of aspirations toward an educational future that witnesses advanced coordination in the area of educational cooperation. “This future is based on an effective partnership that draws its strength from a cultural heritage and an ambitious strategic vision, which responds to the priorities of sustainable development and the aspirations of our Gulf societies,” he added.
He stated that “the meeting is being held amidst rapid global changes that require us to strengthen Gulf coordination and intensify efforts to formulate strategic visions for the educational future of our children, especially in light of the successive developments in the field of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. We have to expand educational paths and develop flexible educational models aimed at empowering students with the tools to innovate and adapt to the latest developments.”
He asserted “we believe in the importance of developing the educational system to keep pace with 21st century standards, strengthening the common Gulf identity, and providing flexible and inspiring educational environments that develop students’ creative thinking and innovation skills. We also confirm our strategic partnership with international institutions, and our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Joint Gulf Vision for Education 2030, which contribute to building a competitive and effective educational system at the regional and international levels.”
On the other hand, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, GCC Secretary General, emphasized in a statement on the sidelines of the meeting the importance of the ministerial meetings held at the level of the ministers of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research as they are related to the future of GCC countries. Al-Budaiwi stated that items in the agendas of both meetings are extremely important, considering their direct impact on joint Gulf action regarding public and higher education. He added one of the important recommendations approved in the meeting is the unified Gulf strategy to combat drugs -- the great scourge that is devastating people.
“It was agreed that the curricula in the GCC countries should include some elements of this strategy to educate our students about the dangers of drugs. The State of Kuwait presented three initiatives on youth sports and unifying the educational ladder; and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia put forward an important initiative related to the participation of the GCC countries in its approved strategy for education and how countries can develop their educational systems,” he elaborated.
He went on to affirm that the agenda of the meeting of the Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research included many topics; as the GCC countries give importance to scientific research and GCC leaders always recommend this issue. He pointed out that the GCC Charter consists of articles on the need to support scientific research, strengthen cooperation in this field, integration of young men and women in Gulf universities, admission process, and encouraging them to study in other Gulf countries. He also expressed his pride in the achievements of the GCC countries in the fields of public and higher education. He added “the GCC countries’ indicators are a testament to the strength of these countries. Our academic institutions have become prestigious, keeping pace with the times and providing outstanding academic outputs.”
By Abdulrahman Al-Shammari
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
