العربية
The activities of the Third ALECSO Forum on Arab University Twinning commenced on the morning of Wednesday, 12 November 2025, at Sohar University. The event was organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), in cooperation with the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, under the theme “The Productive University.” The forum held during two days.
The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Her Excellency Professor. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, and attended by His Excellency Professor. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, along with several dignitaries, representatives of Arab and international organizations, universities presidents, experts, and academics from various Arab and foreign countries.
The forum witnessed the participation of 36 experts and academics representing 16 Arab and international countries, including Oman (host), Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Germany, Slovenia, Singapore, and Spain. Their contributions varied between scientific sessions, research papers, and panel discussions—presenting diverse perspectives on the future of higher education and innovation in Arab universities.
The first day of the forum featured five main sessions, addressing key themes such as:
- The concept, dimensions, and global models of the productive university
- Scientific knowledge and skills demanded by the labor market
- Requirements for enhancing universities’ roles in the industrial sector
- University–industry partnerships in designing, implementing, evaluating, and developing effective academic programs
- Transitioning from a traditional university to a productive university
These sessions brought together a distinguished group of experts from renowned international and regional institutions.
The forum continues into the second day with five additional sessions covering:
- Investing in research outputs to achieve the productive university model
- Case studies of productive universities across Arab and global contexts
- University–industry and international institutional partnerships: current challenges
- Maximizing the impact of partnerships and research collaboration as a strategic approach
- Practical recommendations for designing an Arab model of the productive university
Several research and academic cooperation agreements were signed during the forum, reinforcing ALECSO’s efforts to advance higher education in the Arab world and affirming Sohar University’s commitment to enhancing scientific research, knowledge production, and regional and international partnerships aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and its aspirations for a sustainable knowledge-based economy.