
The 47th General Assembly of the Arab Association of Universities (فلسطين دورة ) , took place this year at the Middle East University in Amman, Jordan from the 26th to the 27th of March, 2014. The meeting was attended by a number of dignitaries including His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Amin, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Jordan, Dr. Sultan Abu- Al Orabi, Secretary General of the Arab Association of Universities, Dr. Maher Saleem, President of the Middle East University; in addition to over 180 presidents of universities from across 22 Arab Countries and a number of international guests.
The General Assembly meeting tackled a number of key issues including addressing the importance of continuously enhancing quality higher education in particular with the emergence of new means of learning such as blended and e-learning; improving research undertaking and enforcing Arabic Language. Three initiatives were also proposed during the meeting: introducing and enforcing the test of Arabic proficiency (العربي لتنالا) , introducing a module named Al Quds in universities from across the Arab World and developing a unified framework to support governance in Arab Universities.
During the first day of the General Assembly meeting, the Center for Learning Innovations and Customized Knowledge Solutions was given the opportunity to present the work it is currently undertaking to support higher education within the Arab region. Dr. Narimane Hadj-Hamou, CEO of the Center, has presented CLICKS’ strategic priorities and areas of focus and how it can support universities and colleges in address many of the challenges concerning quality and accreditation, governance, supporting research undertaking, technology integration in higher education, excellence in teaching and learning and strategic planning. She has also shared with the audience the recent initiatives undertaken by the Center to support the establishment of dynamic networks and platforms such as the MENA Association of University Presidents and the MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum, in order to engage leaders of higher education within the Arab States to share latest thinking, developments and trends in the field; discuss challenges and strategies to overcome them and encourage the sharing and exchanging of ‘know-how’ and sharing best practices.
At the end of the GA meeting, the host of the 48th edition of the Arab Association of Universities General Assembly was also announced to be Saint Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon.