Association of Arab Universities Participates in Arab League Meeting on Technical and Vocational Education Development and Joins the Higher Coordination Committee

Prof. Dr. Anas Ratib Al-Soud, Executive Director of the Association of Arab Universities (AARU), participated in the first meeting on the Comprehensive Development Plan for Technical and Vocational Education in Arab Countries, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Faraj Al-Ajmi, Director of the Department of Education, Scientific Research and Higher Education at the League of Arab States, with the participation of representatives from relevant Arab institutions and organizations.

The meeting discussed the general framework of the comprehensive development plan, mechanisms for its implementation and follow-up, and leading Arab experiences and initiatives in technical and vocational education. It also addressed ways to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and labor market institutions.

During his remarks, Prof. Al-Soud emphasized the Association of Arab Universities’ strong commitment to developing technical and vocational education across Arab universities, considering it a key pillar in preparing skilled professionals and enhancing the competitiveness of Arab economies. He also highlighted the Association’s efforts to encourage universities to develop educational and training programs that keep pace with technological developments and respond to labor market needs and future skills requirements.

Prof. Al-Soud also highlighted the Association’s plans to organize the Future Skills Forum in April 2027, which aims to launch two strategic initiatives: the Arab Network of Technical Universities and the Future Skills Guide. These initiatives seek to strengthen cooperation and integration among Arab technical universities, identify the future skills and competencies required in labor markets, and provide a reference for developing academic and training programs. This will help bridge the gap between education and employment.

Prof. Al-Soud stressed the importance of unifying Arab efforts and moving from individual initiatives towards joint institutional action. He affirmed the Association’s readiness to mobilize its network of more than 500 member universities across the Arab world to support the implementation of the comprehensive plan for developing technical and vocational education.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Association of Arab Universities was appointed as a member of the Higher Coordination Committee for the Comprehensive Development Plan for Technical and Vocational Education in Arab Countries. This membership strengthens the Association’s role in contributing to the development of joint initiatives, coordinating Arab efforts, and following up on the implementation of programs aimed at improving technical and vocational education and aligning it with development priorities and labor market needs.