Manama : The Higher Education Council (HEC) launched the new Higher Education and Scientific Research Strategy for 2026-2030.
Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the HEC Board of Trustees, officials from the HEC General Secretariat and representatives of higher education institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, were present.
The strategy was developed in partnership between the HEC and Times Higher Education (THE), using a methodology that included consultations with relevant government and private sector entities, benchmarking against international best practices and standards, and evidence- and data-based analysis to identify priorities and future directions for Bahrain’s higher education and scientific research sector.
The Education Minister commended the efforts of the HEC General Secretariat and the key role of partners from more than 35 government, private and civil society entities in developing the strategy.
Dr. Juma noted that the comprehensive national strategy meets national aspirations and provides an ambitious roadmap for advancing Bahrain’s higher education and scientific research system and enhancing its global competitiveness.
The strategy is based on five main objectives focused on building a leading education system, advancing scientific research and innovation, expanding global academic presence and partnerships, developing governance and digital transformation, and enabling higher education institutions to anticipate future skills.
It includes 26 initiatives and 37 performance indicators developed based on international best practices and experiences. These aim to enhance the quality of higher education and scientific research, support innovation and partnerships, and align education outcomes with development and labour market needs, contributing to a more efficient, impactful and sustainable higher education and scientific research system.
For her part, Dr. Diana Abdulkarim Al Jahromi, Secretary-General of the HEC, delivered a presentation on the National Higher Education and Scientific Research Strategy, outlining its key areas and future directions, including its targets, initiatives, performance indicators and implementation mechanisms.
Al Jahromi highlighted the initiatives’ focus on enhancing institutional and academic performance and promoting scientific research and innovation. She noted that the initiatives also aim to align education outcomes with the needs of the national economy and strengthen the role of universities in knowledge creation and community service.
The event also included the presentation of institutional accreditation certificates to 11 higher education institutions that met the required standards, while 10 institutions received academic accreditation certificates for 93 academic programmes that met HEC standards and decisions.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion with leaders and representatives of higher education institutions, which included an exchange of views and responses to enquiries. The discussion emphasised the importance of integrated efforts and continued coordination and partnership between the HEC and higher education institutions to achieve the strategy’s objectives and targets.
