The total number of international agreements signed by the Ministry of Education in the field of higher education and scientific research has reached 41 cooperation agreements with ministries of education in a number of friendly and brotherly countries. The ministry has also signed seven (7) executive programs in the field of higher education and scientific research with Tunisia, Egypt, Japan, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia.
The Deputy of the Ministry of Education for International Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Saleh bin Ibrahim Al Qassumi, has stated that the Ministry of Education is keen to strengthen the relationship with multiple international and regional organizations related to education through the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science. The Ministry has also promoted its relationship with non-profit organizations and international education groups through diplomatic channels.
Dr. Al-Qassumi said, "Educational concerns in the countries of the world at the present time are focused on recovery plans and the readiness to return to schools after the Covid-19 pandemic, and enhancing educational skills and knowledge and the digital divide during and after the pandemic. In addition to restoring and revitalizing education for the pandemic generation, and exploring the future of education on distance education and blended learning.
The Deputy of the Ministry of Education for International Cooperation noted the importance of building and implementing digital strategies for education for fair and inclusive education opportunities for all, stressing the importance of building long-term strategies in areas such as: assessment and education, technology, financing and parental participation. As well as bridging the gaps between the different educational systems and building a better future for education through international cooperation. He called for a commitment to achieving the goals of sustainable development for education, creating more innovative and modern methods of education, adapting to the needs of children, training teachers on modern educational technologies, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and spreading its culture among students, with Harnessing artificial intelligence to develop educational systems.
He pointed to the importance of investing in education to build a more flexible, sustainable and inclusive education system, by preparing and providing methodologies for distance education and blended learning to make education more flexible and sustainable to provide a comprehensive and equitable environment in the long term. He also stressed the importance of focusing on developing higher-order thinking skills among students, such as critical and creative thinking, bridging the knowledge, skills and digital gap between secondary education and university education, promoting a smooth transition between education and working in the light of the discrepancy between graduates’ skills and labor market requirements.