17
September 2026
Amman, 17-09-2026
The Association of Arab Universities (AArU) welcomed a delegation from the University of East Anglia (UEA), United Kingdom, at its headquarters in Amman, led by Prof. Steven McGuire, Deputy Vice Chancellor and PVC International, to explore opportunities for strengthening academic and research cooperation and developing new areas of partnership between the University and AArU member universities.
The delegation was received by Prof. Anas Ratib Al-Soud, Executive Director of the Association of Arab Universities, in the presence of Mr. Ziad Amara, Director of International Relations at AArU.
At the outset of the meeting, Prof. Al-Soud welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation and engagement between Arab higher education institutions and their international counterparts, promoting the exchange of expertise and knowledge, and expanding opportunities for academic and research collaboration.
Prof. Al-Soud delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Association of Arab Universities, its role in supporting and advancing higher education across the Arab world, and its key programmes, projects and initiatives. He highlighted the Association’s efforts to enhance the performance of Arab universities and strengthen their international presence.
The presentation also highlighted a number of AArU initiatives and projects in academic rankings, artificial intelligence, sustainability, higher education internationalization, knowledge exchange, and international partnerships, underscoring the Association’s role in creating platforms for cooperation between Arab universities and academic and research institutions worldwide.
The UEA delegation, in turn, presented the University’s international priorities and key areas of academic and research interest. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on potential areas of collaboration, including stronger engagement with AArU member universities, knowledge and expertise exchange, and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The University of East Anglia delegation included:
- Prof. Steven McGuire, Deputy Vice Chancellor and PVC International
- Prof. Stephen Laycock, Associate Admission, Science Faculty
- Ms. Karen Blackney, Associate Director, Global Office
- Mr. Ghaith Al-Qatarneh, Regional Director
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued dialogue and coordination and to exploring future areas of cooperation, with the aim of strengthening academic and research partnerships and creating new opportunities for collaboration between the University of East Anglia and Arab universities.
The visit reflects the Association of Arab Universities’ commitment to expanding its international partnerships and strengthening the global engagement of Arab higher education institutions, while fostering meaningful connections between Arab universities and leading international academic institutions.
