India-Arab Universities’ Presidents’ Conference Held in Delhi
The 1st India-Arab Universities’ Presidents’ Conference was successfully held in New Delhi from February 5 to 6, 2025. The event, a significant milestone in the educational collaboration between India and the Arab world, was organized under the Executive Program for implementing the Memorandum of Cooperation between India and the League of Arab States (LAS).
Hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in partnership with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the LAS, the conference took place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The event marked an essential step in strengthening educational ties between India and the Arab world.
The conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, who also delivered the keynote address. Libya’s Minister of Education, Imran Muhamed Al-Qeeb, led the Arab delegation, providing a special address to attendees.
In his welcoming remarks, UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar emphasized the importance of the conference in fostering higher education and skill development cooperation between the two regions. Following this, prominent figures such as Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, and Farraj Aljmi, Director of Education and Scientific Research at LAS, shared their insights.
The conference featured four key sessions that addressed vital topics such as innovative academic cooperation, digital platforms in education, mutual recognition of degrees, and promoting joint research and innovation, including advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
The final session, held on February 6, focused on strategies for promoting faculty and student exchange, as well as curriculum development cooperation between universities. The closing ceremony was chaired by the UGC Secretary, who delivered the valedictory address, concluding the productive two-day event.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on social media that the conference provided a platform for fruitful exchange between Arab and Indian academic institutions, strengthening the educational relationship between India and the Arab world.
The event served as a stepping stone for continued collaboration in the higher education sector, with a shared vision to transcend national borders and foster global cooperation in education. The success of the conference signifies the growing potential of educational partnerships between India and Arab countries.
