Muscat: The Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, took part in the 21st meeting of the GCC Higher Education and Research Ministers.
Held via video conferencing, the meeting was hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Sultanate was represented in the meeting by Dr. Bakhit Ahmed Al Mahri, Undersecretary of Higher Education.
During the meeting, the GCC ministers reviewed the communique of the 41st session of the GCC Supreme Council (Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit), held in Al Ula in January 2021.
The meeting discussed means of expanding cooperation with international and regional organisations in the field of exchanging expertise and information on COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on higher education.
The GCC ministers stressed the importance of continuing with e-learning and blended learning even after the pandemic.
4th industrial revolution
They also laid emphasis on teaching curriculums in the fields of the 4th industrial revolution (4IR), including IT, communications and artificial intelligence (AI).
They also touched on the developments of the strategic plan for the GCC Higher Education and Research Committee.
