Amman, Sept. 22 (Petra) – Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities (AArU), Amr Ezzat Salama, said on Monday during the first meeting of the 2025 World Peoples’ Assembly in Moscow that universities serve as a key pillar of scientific and cultural diplomacy, building bridges for dialogue and understanding between nations while promoting innovation and sustainable development.

Speaking in a session on international cooperation in education and scientific research, Salama noted that the AArU, which includes more than 450 universities across Arab countries, plays a pivotal role in advancing higher education through initiatives such as the Arab University Rankings, quality assurance projects, and academic publishing, as well as strategic partnerships with international universities and organizations.

He highlighted the significant achievements of Arab-Russian cooperation, which have resulted in more than 200 academic agreements, hundreds of joint research publications, the establishment of Russian university branches in Arab countries, and a notable increase in student exchange programs between the two sides.

Concluding his remarks, Salama emphasized that scientific and cultural diplomacy is not a luxury but a strategic necessity in a world facing accelerating crises, affirming the Union’s commitment to expanding international partnerships and enhancing universities’ role in fostering a future built on understanding, innovation, and shared human awareness.

//Petra// AF
22/09/2025 21:24:40