Under the leadership of the President of Hadhramout University, efforts to finalize the accession of Saba Region University to the Association of Arab Universities are steadily advancing. The Committee entrusted with completing the membership procedures, chaired by Prof. Dr. Mohamed Khanbash, has continued its work with notable professionalism and exceptional success, reflecting the seriousness of the academic institutions involved and their commitment to regional integration in higher education.
An expanded coordination meeting was convened, bringing together a delegation from the Association of Arab Universities and attended by Prof. Dr. Salem Bafaqir, the President of Al-Rayyan University. The meeting resulted in the formulation of a comprehensive roadmap aimed at strengthening academic integration, advancing research and academic programs, and establishing sustainable partnerships that promote the exchange of expertise among Arab universities in line with internationally recognized academic standards.
The meeting also witnessed distinguished external participation. The Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, Prof. Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama (Egypt), and the Director-General of the Department of Arab Universities, Dr. Lina Al-Bitar (Jordan), participated via videoconference (Zoom), underscoring the importance the Association attaches to the accession process and its commitment to expanding institutional cooperation across the Arab world.
At the institutional level, the meeting was attended by the Vice Presidents of the University for Student Affairs, Graduate Studies, and Academic Affairs, as well as the Secretary-General of the University and all members of the University Council. This broad participation demonstrated the university’s academic leadership’s unified vision and its strong support for development and institutional advancement initiatives.
On this occasion, the President of Saba Region University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Qudsi, emphasized that the university is moving forward with confident and deliberate steps to strengthen its academic position locally and regionally. He noted that joining the Association of Arab Universities represents a “qualitative lever” that will contribute to improving educational outcomes, enhancing institutional performance, promoting joint scientific research, and establishing academic partnerships that foster integration among higher education institutions in the Arab region.
In turn, Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association, expressed his appreciation for the tangible progress achieved in the academic and institutional infrastructure of Saba Region University. He affirmed that the Association is keen to attract universities with clear strategic visions and effective governance frameworks, noting that the university’s accession would represent a valuable addition to the Association and would contribute meaningfully to advancing Arab higher education and expanding opportunities for inter-university collaboration.
Overall, the ongoing efforts surrounding the accession of Saba Region University reflect a shared commitment to academic excellence, institutional development, and regional cooperation, reinforcing the role of Arab universities as key drivers of knowledge production and sustainable development.