Palestine Ahliya University Participates in Association of Arab Universities Conference in Kuwait
Kuwait – Palestine Ahliya University, represented by its President Dr. Imad Al-Zeer and President Assistant for International and public Relations Affairs Mr. Jiries Abu Ghannam, is taking part in the 57th General Conference of the Association of Arab Universities. The conference is being held at the International University in Kuwait from April 23 to 26, 2025, under the theme “Enhancing Regional Integration and Digital Transformation in Arab Higher Education,” with the participation of around 250 Arab universities.
During his chairing of the panel discussion, Dr. Imad Al-Zeer, alongside Prof. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, and Prof. Amjad Barham, Minister of Education and Higher Education in Palestine, spoke about “Supporting Palestinian Universities.
During his intervention, Dr. Imad Al-Zeer outlined the initiative to launch the Arab Fund for the Support and Relief of Higher Education Institutions in Palestine, noting that the proposal was in response to the extensive damage inflicted on Palestinian higher education institutions as a result of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the West Bank.
He added, “The fund was established by a decision of the Executive Council of the Association of Arab Universities, in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education, and its launch was unanimously approved during the General Assembly meeting of the conference.”
Dr. Al-Zeer also stated that the fund aims to contribute to enhancing and ensuring the continuity of higher education institutions, supporting the reactivation of higher education institutions in Gaza that were destroyed as a result of the Israeli aggression, empowering Palestinian students, covering the operational expenses of universities, rebuilding infrastructure, and strengthening governance. He expected that the fund would help finance tuition fees for 50,000 students, reactivate affected universities, establish laboratories and educational facilities, strengthen the resilience of students in Jerusalem and Gaza, and launch a database to monitor damages and needs.
Dr. Al-Zeer concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of the conference as a platform for academic dialogue and collaboration among participating educational institutions. He noted that it provides an opportunity to exchange scientific expertise and discuss pressing issues facing Palestinian and Arab educational institutions, especially in light of technological transformations, innovation, digital transformation, and the expansion of artificial intelligence and e-learning programs.
The General Conference of the Association of Arab Universities focuses on a set of key themes that reflect the strategic directions for higher education in the Arab world. These include developing the higher education system in the Arab world to align with global educational and technological advancements, enhancing scientific and research partnerships among Arab universities to build sustainable and fruitful cooperation networks, preparing graduates for the job market by equipping them with the skills required for the modern economy, encouraging innovation and digital transformation in various components of the educational process, supporting Palestinian universities and intensifying collaboration with them at both the academic and administrative levels, addressing issues related to the ranking of Arab universities, and strengthening their presence in global rankings by adopting quality standards and academic accreditation.
The conference also focuses on showcasing regional initiatives in higher education, such as the “Arab Knowledge Bank” and digital platforms, as supportive tools for open and sustainable learning.
The conference aims to achieve a number of strategic goals, most notably enhancing regional integration and academic cooperation among Arab universities and educational institutions, discussing the future of higher education in the region in light of rapid digital transformation and the challenges of artificial intelligence, exchanging expertise and best practices in the fields of education, scientific research, and effective university governance, addressing the shared challenges facing Arab higher education, seeking collective and effective solutions, strengthening the institutional role of the Association of Arab Universities, and advancing the developmental initiatives it leads at both the regional and international levels.
