- Opening hours: Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fès hosts, on March 20 and 21, the 45th edition of the Congress of the Association of Arab Universities. Organised by Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this meeting is placed this year under the theme "The future of Arab universities in light of the changes in the Arab world."
The work of the congress was launched in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education Lahcen Daoudi, the Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities, Dr. Sultane T. Abu-Orabi Aladwan, as well as some representatives of local authorities, led by the Wali of Fès-Boulemane, Mohamed Gharrabi. Speaking on this occasion, the Minister of Higher Education, Lahcen Daoudi, specified that this meeting is of great importance since it constitutes an opportunity for Arab universities to coordinate their efforts to raise the level of higher education and especially of scientific research. "We hope that this congress will give a new impetus to scientific research in the Arab world.
Indeed, Arab countries are full of potential, whether in terms of human resources or even sources of funding. One just needs to have the will to put these assets at the service of the promotion of scientific research," he explained. For his part, Sultane T. Abu-Orabi Aladwan, the Secretary General of the Arab union, stressed during his intervention the need for the 450 universities that the Arab world currently has to enhance cooperation between them in order to raise the level of academic research projects and to favour the exchange of results. Dr. Aladwan also mentioned the current situation of scientific research in the Arab world, which he described as very weak. "The level of scientific research in the Arab world remains below expectations.
Indeed, Arab countries only devote 0.5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to scientific research, with funding coming only from the public sector. It is a deplorable situation given that scientific research should be an essential lever in the development and economic boom of countries," he specified.
It should be noted that the Association of Arab Universities was created in the sixties at the initiative of the Arab League. Its headquarters is in Amman, Jordan, and it currently counts among its members more than 400 Arab universities.
Provider / Source : Afaf Razouki, Le Matin
