Under the auspices of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, an International Exhibition for Higher Education will be inaugurated here on Tuesday, Dr. Khalid Bin Muhammad Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, said. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Al-Anqari said over 300 international universities from 32 countries and 32 universities and 17 colleges from within the Kingdom will attend the four-day event. The minister said about 53 experts on education including presidents of famous universities, chairmen and CEOs of international educational organizations and representatives from higher educational institutions from across the world will deliberate in 18 different scientific sessions and forums to be organized on the sidelines of the exhibition. “The huge gathering of educationists, experts and representatives from some of the world renowned universities will be a stimulant to help upgrade the educational standard of local universities and colleges in the Kingdom,” the minister said. He said there will be a joint session specially designed for Saudi students pursuing higher education under the King Abdullah Scholarship Program and Saudi cultural attaches based in the US and European countries. Al-Anqari said the main objective of this first ever exhibition is to provide educational opportunities under one roof to both educational institutions and those individuals looking for higher education both within and outside the Kingdom. The exhibition will serve as a platform that encourages the quest for learning by opening new channels between national and international partners to initiate joint programs in the field of higher education, he said. “The event will be an annual affair with educationists and experts coming to participate from some of the renowned universities in the US, Europe, Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia and Asia,” he said. The participants will discuss topics such as Globalization and Higher Education, Qualitative Assurance for Higher Education Programs, Accreditation, IT and Education, Transformation towards the Knowledge-based Economy, Society Development, Opportunities Available in Higher Education and the Efforts of International Organizations in the Development of Higher Education among others.
