The University of Applied Sciences participated in the activities of the cooperation dialogue between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the field of higher education, which was held within the program of the World University Presidents Forum and the International Forum for Higher Education 2025 in Hangzhou, China.
This dialogue came to discuss ways to strengthen academic cooperation between higher education institutions in China and the Gulf countries, and to enhance the exchange of experiences in the fields of language, scientific research, technology, and educational governance.
The participating delegation was headed by Professor Dr. Waheeb Al Khaja, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and included Professor Dr. Hatem Al Masry, President of the University, and Professor Abdullah Al Khaja, Advisor to the President and Director of the Administrative and Financial Affairs Department. During the sessions, the delegation reviewed the prospects for joint academic cooperation between Gulf and Chinese universities, and ways to develop education in line with digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
During the dialogue, Professor Dr. Waheeb Al Khaja explained that future areas of cooperation include cultural and linguistic programs that aim to spread Chinese language education in Gulf universities and schools through smart classrooms and educational camps, in addition to supporting student mobility and exchanging scholarships to enhance mutual understanding. He also pointed out the importance of establishing institutional partnerships in the fields of applied sciences, engineering, digital technologies and sustainable energy, in addition to establishing joint research centers and academic programs that support innovation and capacity building. He also stressed the need to develop governance frameworks and educational policies to ensure mutual recognition of qualifications and enhance the quality of higher education between the two sides.
On the sidelines of the forum, the university delegation made field visits to a number of industrial and educational institutions in the city of Hangzhou, including HIKVISION and Robotics companies, in addition to visiting Digital Education Harbo, the Digital Education Innovation Center and the Zhejiang Provincial Center on Educational Technology, where the delegation was briefed on the latest experiences in the fields of artificial intelligence and its applications in education and industry.
At the conclusion of the visit, Professor Dr. Wahib Al Khaja stressed that this participation embodies the University of Applied Sciences’ keenness to build effective strategic partnerships with Chinese universities and institutions, pointing out that cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries represents a promising opportunity to enhance cultural and research exchange and develop higher education in a way that serves Bahrain’s future vision and its academic standing at the regional and international levels.
