KUWAIT CITY, Nov 5: Minister of Education Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei announced that the 4th International Education Conference, titled "Transforming Education: Opportunities and Challenges to Enhance the Future of Education in the Gulf States," serves as a vital platform for exchanging ideas and visions regarding the future of education in the GCC countries.

In his opening speech at the two-day conference, the minister emphasized Kuwait's commitment to hosting discussions on educational issues, underscoring the political leadership's support for education as a cornerstone in building advanced societies. He explained that the conference aims to address the future of education in the GCC in light of rapid technological advancements, economic transformations, social changes, and human development. Education today, he noted, extends beyond knowledge transfer; it encompasses the development of life skills and innovative abilities necessary for adapting to the demands of a new era.

Al-Tabtabaei expressed pride in Kuwait's role as the host of this significant conference, which gathers a distinguished group of academics, experts, researchers, educational leaders, and specialists from both the Gulf States and various countries worldwide. He acknowledged the support received from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

In a similar address, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, praised the substantial support provided by the Kuwaiti government to enhance the educational system and highlighted the leaders of the Council member states' efforts in strengthening this system across all fields of mutual interest.

Al-Budaiwi remarked that the Council's establishment aimed to facilitate coordination and cooperation among member states, particularly in the education and cultural sectors. He pointed out that proactive educational initiatives began even before the Council's formation in 1981, noting the establishment of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States in 1975 under the supervision of the Ministers of Education.

He stressed the GCC countries' responsibility to tackle regional and international educational challenges, emphasizing the need to achieve sustainable development goals. The high enrollment rates in education reflect the GCC's commitment to ensuring an appropriate educational environment and guaranteeing the right to education for all.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Asi, Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, stated that these conferences provide a platform for purposeful discussions to present innovative ideas and qualitative solutions aimed at enhancing education, addressing challenges, and identifying key future features, all rooted in each country’s unique issues and priorities and the shared goal of qualitative education aimed at human development. He expressed hope that the conference would yield ambitious and aspirational outcomes.

It is important to note that the Arab Center for Educational Research for the Gulf States, a specialized body within the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, is headquartered in Kuwait. The center was established following a decision from the Second General Conference of Ministers of Education in the Arab Gulf States in 1977 and aims to contribute to the advancement of scientific research, educational measurement, and evaluation across the member states of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States. (KUNA)