KUWAIT: Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education Lamia Al-Mulhim affirmed the urgent need to shift away from traditional academic pathways in favor of modern, innovative models that integrate education with scientific research and respond to the region’s economic and social development goals. Speaking on Sunday while chairing the meeting of undersecretaries of higher education and scientific research ministries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Al-Mulhim said that re-evaluating educational priorities has become a necessity. The meeting was held in preparation for the 25th GCC Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research summit, which Kuwait will host on Monday.

Al-Mulhim stressed the importance of fostering a flexible and dynamic learning environment that empowers students and academics alike. “Developing an advanced educational model requires effective coordination and the active participation of all stakeholders to elevate the status of higher education both regionally and globally,” she said. Highlighting rapid developments in the GCC’s academic sector, Al-Mulhim pointed out the evolving nature of knowledge production and the expanding role of educational institutions in community service. She emphasized that collective achievements by Gulf nations in higher education far outweigh what can be accomplished individually.

Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Chair of the Meeting Lamia Al-Mulhim.

“Educational integration is a strategic imperative,” she said, citing initiatives such as mutual recognition of academic qualifications, joint academic programs, research collaboration, and digital transformation through platforms, digital libraries, and secure cyber networks. “Cybersecurity is no longer a technical concern — it is a national priority to safeguard the independence of academic institutions and protect vital data and research assets.”

Al-Mulhim also underscored the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping education. “AI is now a transformative force — driving personalized learning models, intelligent assessments, and interactive environments that foster creativity,” she noted. However, she stressed the need for legislative and ethical frameworks to guide its application. “The real responsibility lies not in what AI produces, but in how we choose to utilize it — to empower humanity, not replace it, and to enrich cultural identity, not erase it.”

Concluding her remarks, Al-Mulhim described Gulf youth as “creative energies” capable of shaping the future. She called on universities to become hubs of innovation and knowledge production through curricula that foster critical thinking, environments that encourage initiative, and strategic partnerships that connect education with the labor market and decision-makers. — KUNA