EU, Saudi Collaborate to Bolster Education Ties
The EU and Saudi Arabia have shown a mutual interest in bolstering tertiary education ties to promote academic exchange, cultural understanding, and economic diversification.
A notable initiative promoting academic exchange between Europe and the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, is the Erasmus+ Program. This initiative allows young people and academics to study or teach abroad, fostering a dialogue between cultures in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s Tertiary Education Sector:
Saudi Arabia has been making strides in advancing its tertiary education sector to align with economic needs and labor market realities, evidenced by Saudi universities’ expanding presence in international rankings.
This development is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push for higher competitiveness via applied research and global academic engagement.
Technological Reforms
Technological reforms in Saudi Arabia’s education system, including e-learning, have further propelled the tertiary education sector. The adoption of e-learning in tertiary education is facilitated by a strong network of 28 public universities, accounting for 81% of student enrollment.
Economic diversification is aiding the rise in admissions to vocational training institutes and private universities.
Public-Private Enrollment
The large majority of tertiary students in Saudi Arabia (95%) are enrolled in public educational institutions, with only a small portion (5%) enrolled in private institutions.
International Collaborations:
Saudi Arabia has been exploring international collaborations in education, as seen in an agreement with the Cambridge Partnership for Education. Though not directly tied to the EU, this collaboration exemplifies Saudi Arabia’s outreach for global educational partnerships.
The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies organizes forums focusing on cooperation and exchange between Europe and the MENA region.
While the foundation covers broader topics, it symbolizes the ongoing dialogue and potential collaborations in tertiary education between the regions.
EU-Saudi Cooperation Arrangement:
In 2021, the European External Action Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia signed a cooperation arrangement. Although the arrangement covers political and technical cooperation, it might also encompass educational collaborations between the EU and Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, these efforts signify a burgeoning relationship between the EU and Saudi Arabia in the realm of tertiary education, aimed at fostering mutual understanding, academic excellence, and economic growth.
The EU-Saudi education ties are expected to deepen, mirroring the global trend of international academic collaborations for sustainable development.
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