The Association of Arab Universities Explores Cooperation Opportunities with Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE

The Association of Arab Universities (AArU) held a coordination meeting via videoconference with Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), UAE, to explore opportunities for cooperation and strengthen partnerships in priority areas supporting higher education development, innovation, and capacity building across the Arab region.

Representing AArU, the meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Anas Ratib Al-Soud, Executive Director of the Association. HCT was represented by Dr. Ahmad Al Awour, Executive Director of HCT Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Aziz Al-Muhadin, Dean of Academic Operations – Abu Dhabi Campuses.

Both sides emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and sharing best practices in higher education to enhance academic systems, improve educational services, support digital transformation and innovation, and align learning outcomes with evolving labour market needs.

The meeting discussed potential areas of future cooperation, including organizing joint academic events and conferences in the UAE, as well as exploring the establishment of a regional forum focusing on admissions, academic services, digital transformation, and student mobility to facilitate the exchange of experiences among Arab higher education institutions.

AArU also presented preparations for the Future Skills Forum: Reimagining Technical Education in the Arab World, hosted by Hussein Technical University in Amman, Jordan, on 20–21 September 2026. HCT was invited to participate as a strategic partner, given its expertise in applied education, skills development, micro-credentials, lifelong learning, and graduate employability.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to continued coordination and developing a sustainable cooperation framework that supports Arab universities, advances technical education, strengthens innovation and capacity building, and responds to the evolving needs of higher education and future labour markets.