The Arabian Gulf University and the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education announced today, during a joint press conference, the details of the International Forum on Developing University Programs in Arab Countries in Light of Future Skills and Professions, scheduled to be held on 2–3 December 2025.

 

H.E. Dr. Saad bin Saud Al-Fahid, President of the Arabian Gulf University, stated:

“The University is proud to host this international event, which brings together ministers, university leaders, international organizations, and global experts to design a practical roadmap that advances higher education in Arab countries toward a more innovative and sustainable future.”

He added that the forum reflects the University’s mission—established to serve the strategic priorities of the future of the Gulf States—and underscores the Kingdom of Bahrain’s regional role in leading pioneering educational initiatives.

 

H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Medaires, Director-General of the UNESCO Regional Center, emphasized that the forum aims to develop a regional roadmap to activate the Reference Framework for Developing University Programs in Arab Countries in Light of Future Skills and Professions, officially endorsed by Arab ministers. The framework seeks to align university programs with labor-market needs, address the gap between educational outputs and future skills, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030).

 

The framework is based on a comparative analytical study of university programs in Arab countries against leading global practices and presents an integrated model comprising five components:

 

Drivers of future professions,

 

Future occupational domains,

 

Future skills,

 

Policies and mechanisms for university development, and Modern academic program formats.

 

It also includes an operational guide to activate these strategies through enhancing competitiveness, supporting private higher education, integrating future skills, lifelong learning, internationalization of higher education, and recognition of prior learning.

 

The forum aims to strengthen dialogue, coordination, and exchange of expertise among Arab universities, and to present successful global and regional models for developing university programs—ensuring the preparation of youth equipped with the skills required for the future.

 

At the end of his remarks, Dr. Al-Medaires extended his sincere appreciation to the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman—may God preserve them—for their unlimited support for quality and excellence in education at the national, regional, and global levels, and for their commitment to transforming education toward a sustainable future for all. He also extended his thanks to H.E. the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef Al-Benyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors, for his support and continuous follow-up, which have enabled the Center to achieve outstanding results in its programs and projects.

 

He further expressed his gratitude to UNESCO for its steadfast support to the Center in implementing its programs in service of its humanitarian mission of peace and the promotion of prosperity for all nations.

 

In conclusion, the organizing committee affirmed that the forum represents one of the most significant international educational events of 2025, and that the Arabian Gulf University and the UNESCO Regional Center are working to make it a launchpad for a comprehensive Arab transformation in higher education.

 

The forum will begin with a high-level ministerial session featuring ministers of higher education from several Arab countries to discuss the future of Arab higher education, followed by a session for heads of regional organizations entitled “The Role of Regional Organizations in Developing Higher Education”, with the participation of the Association of Arab Universities, the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, and the UNESCO Institute for Early Childhood Development.

 

The forum will bring together an elite group of speakers—including international experts, university presidents, scholars, and researchers—to showcase global and regional experiences in developing university programs and future skills.