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Higher Education in the Middle East and Strategies for Academic CooperationSechang Publishing, 2023By SoonKoo Myoung, Jongdo Kim, Jaehee Kim, Yanghee Lee, Ilkwang Sung, and Hyundo Park

  • Writer: Bonne Clef
    Bonne Clef
  • Mar 30
  • 6 min read

【Table of Contents】

Preface / 5

Perspectives on Higher Education Cooperation with the Middle East – Soonkoo Myoung / 15


Saudi Arabia – Jongdo Kim

Ⅰ. Introduction / 21

Ⅱ. A Brief History and Structure of the Saudi Education System / 25

  1. Pre-primary Education / 30

  2. Primary Education / 30

  3. Intermediate Education / 31

  4. Secondary Education / 31

  5. Higher Education / 32

Ⅲ. Current Status of Higher Education / 34

Ⅳ. Strategies for Cooperation in Higher Education / 40

  1. Existing Partnerships / 41

  2. Proposed Strategies for Cooperation / 44



Oman – Jaehee Kim

Ⅰ. Overview of Oman / 50

Ⅱ. Current Status of Education in Oman / 51

  1. Educational Policy in Oman / 51

  2. Overview of the Higher Education System / 52

  3. Educational Reform in Oman / 53

  4. Status of Omani Students Studying Abroad / 53

Ⅲ. Overview of Universities in Oman / 54

  1. Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) / 55

  2. German University of Technology in Oman (GUTECH) / 56

  3. Middle East College (MEC) / 56

  4. University of Nizwa (UoN) / 57

  5. Al Zahra College for Women (ZCW) / 59

Ⅳ. Status of Korea–Oman Educational Exchange / 60

  1. Exchange and Cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University (Aug. 2016) / 60

  2. Student Exchange Program between Middle East College and Hanyang University (2019) / 60

  3. Korea–Oman Cultural Club and University-Level Civil Exchange (2017) / 61

Ⅴ. Policy Recommendations to Promote Korea–Oman Educational Cooperation / 62

  1. Expansion of Inter-University Exchange Programs / 62

  2. Enhancement of Bilateral Human Exchange Cooperation / 63

  3. Export of Korean Educational Content for Online Education in Oman / 64

  4. Joint Research on Renewable Energy Industries / 65

  5. Industry–Academia Collaboration between Korean Companies and Omani Universities / 65

  6. Collaboration on Enhancing Oman’s Online Education Systems / 66

Ⅵ. Conclusion / 67



United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Jaehee Kim

Ⅰ. Current Status of Higher Education in the UAE / 70

  1. Background of UAE Education Policy Initiatives / 70

  2. Key Educational Initiatives / 72

  3. UAE Education Policy / 74

  4. Policies for Attracting Outstanding International Students / 75

Ⅱ. Overview of UAE Universities / 75

  1. Strengths of UAE Universities / 75

  2. General Information on UAE Universities / 75

Ⅲ. Current Exchange and Cooperation Between Major UAE Universities and Korean Institutions (Universities, Research Institutes, Corporations) / 80

Ⅳ. Recommended UAE Universities for Korean Student Exchange / 81

  1. The Petroleum Institute (PI) / 81

  2. Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) / 82

Ⅴ. Implications / 82

  1. Active Participation in UAE-Related Education Projects by Korean Institutions / 83

  2. Need to Expand the Scope of Korea–UAE Educational Cooperation / 84

  3. Expansion of Korean Students’ Enrollment in Specialized Institutions such as PI / 85

  4. Strengthening Cooperation in Smart Education Systems Integrated with ICT in UAE's Education Equipment Market / 85

  5. Expansion of Cooperation and Education in the Healthcare Sector / 86

  6. Participation in Teacher Capacity Development Programs in the UAE / 86

  7. Attracting UAE Students to Korean Universities and Expanding Industry–Academia Collaboration / 87



Kuwait – Jaehee Kim

Ⅰ. Overview of Kuwait / 89

Ⅱ. Kuwait's Education Policy / 90

  1. Goals of Kuwait’s Education System / 90

  2. Government Authorities Responsible for Education / 91

Ⅲ. Current Status of Universities in Kuwait / 93

  1. American University of the Middle East (AUM) / 99

  2. Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) / 100

  3. Kuwait University (KU) / 100

  4. Jaber Al-Ahmad University / 102

  5. Arab Open University in Kuwait / 102

  6. Other Major Institutions: Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) / 103

Ⅳ. Korea–Kuwait Industry-Academia Exchange / 104Case 1. Mokpo National Maritime University – Government of Kuwait / 104Case 2. BNF Technology – Kuwait University / 104Case 3. Establishment of the Hanyang University–PAAET Kuwait Center / 104

Ⅴ. Implications / 105

  1. Active Participation of Korea in Kuwait’s Education Development / 105

  2. Korean Engagement in Expanding Online Education via Kuwait’s Smart Systems / 106

  3. Expansion of Kuwait Government-Funded Scholarships for Korean Institutions / 107

  4. Expansion of Bilateral Cooperation in the Health and Medical Sector / 108

  5. Strengthening Partnerships Between Korean and Kuwaiti Universities / 109



Türkiye – Yanghee Lee

Ⅰ. Introduction / 113

Ⅱ. Current Status of Primary and Secondary Education in Türkiye / 114

Ⅲ. Current Status of Higher Education in Türkiye / 117

Ⅳ. Overview of Universities and International Students in Türkiye / 120

Ⅴ. Status and Strategies for Korea–Türkiye Higher Education Cooperation / 125

  1. University-to-University Cooperation Between Korea and Türkiye / 125

  2. Strategies for Research and Academic Collaboration / 129

  3. Strategies for Industry–Academia Cooperation / 130

Ⅵ. Recommendations / 132



Israel – Ilkwang Sung

Ⅰ. Higher Education System in Israel / 135

  1. Humanities (Single Major) / 140

  2. Social Sciences (Single Major) / 140

  3. Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Single Major) / 140

Ⅱ. Major Universities in Israel / 143

  1. Hebrew University of Jerusalem / 143

  2. Technion – Israel Institute of Technology / 146

  3. Weizmann Institute of Science / 150

  4. Bar-Ilan University / 151

  5. Tel Aviv University / 151

  6. University of Haifa / 156

  7. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev / 156

  8. Open University of Israel / 157

Ⅲ. Status of International Students in Israel / 157

Ⅳ. Industry–Academia Cooperation / 158



Iran – Hyondo Park

Ⅰ. Overview of the Iranian Education System / 163

  1. Primary and Secondary Education / 165

  2. Konkur (University Entrance Examination) / 166

  3. Grading and Evaluation / 168

  4. Higher Education / 168

Ⅱ. Universities in Iran / 169

Ⅲ. Economic Crisis and the Higher Education System / 171

Ⅳ. Strategies for Higher Education Cooperation / 173

Qatar – Hyondo Park

Ⅰ. Introduction / 181

Ⅱ. Education System and Current Status in Qatar / 183

Ⅲ. Qatar National Vision 2030 and Higher Education / 186

Ⅳ. Strategies for Higher Education Cooperation / 192



【Publisher’s Review】

In an era where empathy among members of society has emerged as a vital theme, Korea University’s Paan Research Fund launches the Empathy series to foster mutual understanding and solidarity through knowledge.

The fourth volume of this series offers a thoughtful and substantial proposal for the future of higher education. In contemporary academia, collaboration and partnership are regarded as essential virtues for advancing to new stages of development. When considering the university’s role in social progress, these elements serve as crucial drivers for Korea’s future.

Collaboration requires not only a precise understanding of others but also the will to walk together. An open attitude is essential, and in many cases, creative thinking plays a significant role. This is particularly true when it comes to cooperation with universities in the Middle East—a region that still feels unfamiliar to many in Korean academia. However, today’s Middle East is no longer the Middle East of the past. It is transforming into a testbed for smart cities, smart farms, blue gold (water resources), healthcare innovation, and renewable energy. Rapid social policy shifts, including progress in women’s rights, are underway, and universities in the region are moving swiftly in response. For Korean universities, this opens up meaningful opportunities to engage in mutually beneficial partnerships.

This is precisely why Volume 4 of the Empathy series, titled Higher Education in the Middle East and Strategies for Academic Cooperation, was published. It focuses on eight key countries in the region: Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, Türkiye, Israel, Iran, and Qatar.

While universities around the world are making massive investments to adapt to the changes brought on by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Korean universities are struggling with severe financial constraints. This poses a critical challenge to the university's role in societal development. Korean universities must now prepare for a new leap forward—by connecting their intellectual assets with the demands of industry, for example. The government must also shift its regulatory mindset to actively support these efforts. We must all recognize that increasing tuition alone will not suffice to ensure the path forward.

The Paan Research Series is part of a research initiative supported by the Paan Research Fund, which was established through a designated donation made in May 2016 by Chairman Myung Wi-jin (pen name: Paan) to Korea University School of Law.

We hope that this book will serve as a catalyst for greater empathy toward the importance of cooperation and collaboration with universities in the Middle East—and that it will contribute to the advancement of Korean higher education and, more broadly, to Korean society..


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