The Arab Open University participated in the QS Middle East Summit for Higher Education, one of the region’s leading academic events. The university was represented by Professor Dr. Omar Al-Jarrah, Vice President for Planning and Development, on behalf of His Excellency the University President, Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Zakari.
Dr. Al-Jarrah was a featured speaker in a distinguished panel discussion titled:
"Developing Partnerships to Bridge the Skills Gap Between Education and the Labor Market,"
where he highlighted the university’s key quality initiatives aimed at equipping students and enhancing their career readiness. Among the most notable of these initiatives are:
“4 in 4” Initiative: Allows students to earn one professional certificate each academic year, thereby enhancing their employability immediately upon graduation.
“7 in 7” Initiative: Aims to equip students with seven essential skills each academic year through ongoing training activities and interactive learning experiences delivered throughout the academic year.
These initiatives align with the university’s strategic direction to bridge the skills gap between academic education and labor market needs, reinforcing its pioneering role in offering innovative educational models and fostering effective partnerships with both public and private sectors.
On the sidelines of the summit, Professor Dr. Omar Al-Jarrah met with Ashley Fernandes, the Regional Director of QS in the Middle East. They discussed avenues for joint collaboration and explored opportunities to enhance the Arab Open University’s presence in global rankings, as well as strategic projects that support academic excellence and education quality across the region.