The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) took part in the preparatory meetings for the implementation of the “Arab Higher Education Area” initiative, launched by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. 

This initiative had been welcomed by the Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research during their 19th Ministerial Conference, organized by ALECSO in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in November 2024.

ALECSO’s participation came as part of its ongoing efforts to support Arab initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of Arab universities in fostering inter-Arab cultural, intellectual, and scientific unity, and advancing scientific research in pursuit of sustainable development.

ALECSO was represented in these meetings by Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish, Director of Science and Scientific Research, and Dr. Rami Iskander, Director of Education.

The meetings were held at the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the University of Baghdad, with the participation of Dr. Bahaa Ansaf, President of the University of Baghdad, and Dr. Hazem Baqir Tahir, Director-General of Scholarships and Cultural Relations, along with a number of ministry and university officials and academics, as well as a delegation from the Association of Arab Universities.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish conveyed the greetings of ALECSO’s Director General, Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, and affirmed the Organization’s commitment to the implementation of this initiative and its dedication to ensuring its success. He indicated that this significant initiative is designed to enhance mutual recognition of academic degrees among Arab countries, facilitate academic mobility for students and faculty, and improve the quality of higher education in the Arab world.

During the meetings, a roadmap for the implementation of the initiative was developed, along with a prototype for its first phase, which will be submitted to the upcoming Conference of Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, scheduled to be held in Baghdad in December 2025.