The President of the Arab Open University, Prof. Mohammad bin Ibrahim Al-Zakari, participated in a session titled “A New Vision for Higher Education in the Arab World”, held as part of the Arab Universities Summit 2025, organized by Times Higher Education (THE) and hosted by Amman Al-Ahliyya University from 25 to 27 November 2025 in Amman, Jordan.
During the session, which took place this morning, Prof. Al-Zakari presented a strategic outlook on the future of higher education in the Arab world, emphasizing that the coming phase requires a future-ready educational ecosystem built on innovation, digital transformation, and strengthening the role of universities in shaping national and regional development. He stressed the importance of developing a balanced Arab educational model that combines preserving regional identity with embracing global standards and best practices.
Prof. Al-Zakari also addressed a set of pivotal questions forming the core of the summit’s discussions, including: How can Arab universities enhance their global competitiveness while safeguarding cultural identity? What institutional shifts are needed to keep pace with rapid geopolitical, technological, and social changes? He further underscored that cross-border collaboration among Arab universities is a key driver for amplifying the impact of education and scientific research across the region.
He concluded his participation by affirming that the Arab Open University, through its presence in nine Arab countries, represents a practical model of regional integration, and continues to expand its partnerships and specialized programs to help shape a unified Arab vision for the future of higher education.
