Middle East Institute for Higher Education partners with the League of Arab States

The Middle East Institute for Higher Education (MEIHE) at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Social Affairs Sector (SAS) at the League of Arab States (LAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today that will support the development of teacher capacity across the Middle East. The MOU aims to identify areas of common interest between LAS and MEIHE on which a strategic alliance can be developed. It defines the framework within which LAS and MEHIHE can explore opportunities for future cooperation in the arena of quality education and enhancement of teacher performance across the region.

The MOU was signed by the Assistant Secretary-General of LAS and Head of Social Affairs Sector Sima Bahous and AUC Provost Medhat Haroun in Moataz Al Alfi Hall, AUC New Cairo. Present for the signing ceremonies were Lisa Anderson, president of The American University in Cairo; Ambassador Faeqa Al Saleh, advisor to secretary general and head of scientific research department at LAS; Hassan El Billawy, head of faculties of Education Sector at The Supreme Council of Universities; Reda Mosaad, director of General Education Sector at the Ministry of Education; and Malak Zaalouk, director of Middle East Institute at AUC’s Graduate School of Education.  

According to the MOU, the MEIHE will provide the Education and Scientific Research Department at SAS/LAS with professional and technical services. Areas of potential cooperation include research and capacity building, conferences, workshops and seminars in the area of education and teacher performance, the development of standards for teacher performance, and governance of educational institutions. In addition, LAS will invite all Arab states to participate in the programs and activities that will come under this MOU. “LAS is keen on building regional and international partnerships and cooperation mechanisms that serve social and economic development efforts,” said Bahous, emphasizing the importance of the collaboration with AUC and other regional and international agencies for the education reform in the region.”

“This cooperation between the University and LAS help us face the future challenges of education in the region in order to reach global levels on the front of human capital,” said Provost Haroun during the event. Moreover, Mossad of the Ministry of Education believes that this cooperation will help the Arab countries to work together on improving education instead of previously having each country working on its own. “Any improvement achieved in any Arab country has a rippling effect in the region,” he explained. 

The Middle East Institute for Higher Education (MEIHE), established in 2010 as part of the Graduate School of Education, facilitates research, capacity building and institutional development to strengthen partnerships between faculties of education and schools in the Middle East. Specifically, MEIHE empowers teachers and supports their professional development by establishing performance standards and systems that help teachers better support their students’ educational potential. The Institute is also charged with the establishment of ‘centers of excellence’ that model partnerships between schools and faculties, helping teachers adapt to new and necessary roles in the profession. “When the MEIHE was established a year and half ago, we did not dream it would reach this great step. Thanks to the chances of the revolution has offered us, we can expand, and we can better support AUC’s role as a catalyst for change. In fact, we are now joined by millions of people who drive change at this timely moment,” President Anderson noted.