Brains meet bytes in GCC education push

Arab Times

18-05-2025

KUWAIT CITY, May 18: Kuwait hosted the ninth preparatory meeting of the Undersecretaries of Ministries of Education in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states on Sunday. This meeting, held prior to the ministerial meeting scheduled for Monday, brought together the undersecretaries of the ministries of education and prominent educational leaders in the Gulf.
Acting Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Education Mansour Al-Dhafiri opened the meeting by welcoming the attendees. He underscored the significance of the meeting in bolstering educational integration and cooperation among GCC nations, to fulfil the ambitions of their leaders and the needs of future generations. He affirmed the strong fraternal bond between GCC states and their collaborative efforts towards achieving effective and sustainable educational integration.
He pointed out that this preparatory meeting sets the stage for the meeting of the Ministers of Education on Monday, during which the general and higher education issues will be discussed in the context of evolving global challenges. On the other hand, Assistant Secretary General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC Secretariat General Dr. Khaled Al-Sunaidi stressed that education plays a vital role in the development of GCC countries.
He considers education an important instrument for transforming reality and preparing individuals to navigate future developments and modern technology. He confirmed that the GCC leaders are focusing on education as per their vision to prioritize building innovative, excellent, and competitive generations. He added that the Supreme Council approved the Gulf Strategy for Combating Drugs (2025-2028) during its 45th session in Kuwait in December 2024, indicating it as a key discussion point at the meeting.
He revealed the agenda includes some strategic issues as follows:
Developing the work of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States,
Following up the work of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Committee,
Progress reports on achieving the fourth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals,
Promoting financial literacy among students,
Supporting scouts and guides,
Strengthening international cooperation in the field of education.
He went on to point out that technical education and vocational training are witnessing rapid growth in the GCC countries. He revealed the number of licensed colleges, institutes and centers exceeded 1,000; while the number of trainees has reached more than 300,000, reflecting the Gulf efforts in this vital sector. Furthermore, acting Undersecretary of Kuwait's Ministry of Higher Education Lamia Al-Malhem confirmed that higher education in the Gulf countries is experiencing a critical transformational moment; requiring a review of priorities and the development of a new educational model that links education and scientific research, promotes innovation, and takes into account the development requirements in a changing world.
She asserted, 'it is no longer possible to rely on traditional paths in higher education in an era where the laws of the future are written in the language of data, while algorithms shape the features of civilizations. Rather, it has become imperative for us to develop a flexible and innovative educational environment and enable students and academics to deal with the challenges of the era, so that we can elevate the educational system to be on par with the regional and international standards.' She also underscored the importance of cybersecurity in higher education; indicating that it is no longer just a technical issue, as it is now 'a national necessity to protect the independence of academic institutions and preserve their research and knowledge resources.' She said protecting academic and research data ensures continued excellence, preserves privacy, protects intellectual property rights, and enhances trust in educational environments. She stated that artificial intelligence is 'an influential force, reshaping the educational process' by providing customized educational models, smart assessments and interactive environments. She asserted that with these rapid transformations, the need for legislative and ethical frameworks to regulate this path and preserve core values has emerged.
'The biggest responsibility lies not in what artificial intelligence produces, but in how we decide to direct it to serve humanity and culture,' she explained. She added that universities are no longer just institutions for graduating students; they must become platforms for innovation and knowledge production through curricula that promote critical thinking, an environment that encourages initiative, and partnerships that link educational outputs with the needs of the labor market and decision-makers. She stressed the importance of Gulf integration in higher education as a 'strategic option to enhance competitiveness and sustain progress;' explaining that this is embodied in mutual recognition of degrees, joint programs, research cooperation, as well as digital transformation through unified educational platforms and electronic libraries, and cyber networks that ensure a safe and effective educational environment. She cited dedication, joint planning and institutional work as keys to success in achieving the aspirations of GCC countries, indicating that 'what we achieve as a unified Gulf group far exceeds what can be achieved individually. The decisions that will emerge from this meeting will have a direct impact on the features of our university education for decades to come.'