KUWAIT: Kuwait is exploring ways to adapt aspects of Egypt’s Knowledge Bank (EKB) platform to support its educational and research development, following talks held this week between the two countries’ ministers of higher education. Kuwait’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Nader Al-Jallal, met with his Egyptian counterpart Dr Ayman Ashour, to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in higher education and scientific research. The discussions focused on exchanging expertise, with particular attention to Egypt’s experience in building digital academic infrastructure.

Established in 2016, the EKB has become a key pillar of Egypt’s education system, providing free access to a vast digital library of academic content, research materials, and educational tools for citizens across the country. It has been recognized as a model for leveraging technology to expand access to knowledge and support lifelong learning.

The EKB has also received international praise, particularly from UNESCO and UNICEF. In May 2024, both organizations organized a study visit to the project, bringing delegations from 21 countries to examine the factors behind its success. A strategic agreement was signed on January 19, 2025, between the EKB, the Association of Arab Universities, and the Association of Arab Scientific Research Councils, aiming to expand the platform’s services regionally under the new name "Egyptian Knowledge Bank – International."

Al-Jallal and Ashour said Kuwait is studying elements of the EKB’s design and implementation to inform its own digital transformation efforts in the education sector. The two sides agreed to continue technical coordination to explore areas where the Egyptian experience could be adapted to Kuwaiti needs. The talks reflect Kuwait’s broader efforts to modernize its education system in line with its national development goals, including the drive to expand digital resources and foster innovation in teaching and learning. — Agencies