Dr. Azzam Al-Dakhial, the Minister of Education, launched the Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education under the Auspices of UNESCO in the presence of Arab Ministers of Educations, UNESCO representatives, presidents of universities, and Ambassadors in KSA.
Dr. Husam Zaman, the Director General of RCQE delivered a speech at the beginning of the ceremony and welcomed the Minister and the attendees. He pointed out that the Center is an initative by the Government of Saudi Aribia to enhance the international development efforts of the Kingdom. Dr. Zaman elaborated that RCQE aims at serving the education development as it is the first Center under the auspices of UNESCO specialized in quality and excellence in education. He assured that hosting this Center by the Kingdom comes out of the appreciation of UNESCO for the efforts and operational readiness of the Kingdom.
Dr. Hamed Al Hammami, The representative of the Director General of UNESCO and the Director of UNESCO Office in Beirut, delivered also a speech and conveyed the greetings of the Director General of UNESCO expressing their gratitude for hosting the Center by the Kingdom. Moreover, Dr. Al Dakhail delivered a speech and welcomed the attendees. He highlighted that establishment of the Center is an attempt from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to significantly support its humanitarian mission to promote the positivity in people’s lives in addition to the fulfilment of the commitment of the UNESCO and the Kingdom to secure the “Right to Education for All “, and quality and excellent education to all four corners of the world, as it is a milestone of the global sustainable development.
Dr. Azzam pointed out that the Center aims at disseminating the culture of quality and excellence in educational systems through developing policies based on the best international experiences and research findings in this field in addition to training programs necessary for promoting the awareness of these trends in the Arab educational institutes. He elaborated that Quality refers to the processes involved in the sustainable development of educational services, and the institutional consistency to promote learning processes and outcomes to a higher level of quality. Within the same context, Excellence is the final outcome of this ongoing quality processes, which is reflected on the human acquisition of essential knowledge and skills, with the ability and desire to pursue education. Excellence delineates cultural values through critical thinking, international understanding, tolerance and coexistence with different cultures, religions and societies.
The Minister added that the prominent value of the Center comes through being the first regional center of its kind in addition to the representation of several Arab countries in its Board. He added that the success of the Center is grounded on the participation of various sectors and expertise in the development and implementation of its programs across the Arab region and the ongoing evaluation thereof in the light of UNESCO’s goals. Therefore, we invite all experts and specialists in quality and excellence in education field in the Arab region to provide their initiatives and contributions for the development of education systems in the Arab countries in order to serve the Arab nations and promote the role of the Arabs in building global civilization through achieving quality and excellent in their education, he added. At the end of his speech, Dr. Al Dakhail expressed his gratitude to His Majesty, King Salman and his crown princes. He also expressed his appreciation to the Arab Ministers who accepted the membership in RCQE Board.
In addition, Saudi Minister of Education and UNESCO signed a four year cooperation frame for the development of education and hosting international education experts in the Kingdom for conducting reports on quality and excellence in education. The frame was signed by Dr. Dakhail from the Saudi part and Dr. Mmantsetsa Marope, the General Director of International Bureau of Education. Signing the agreement was attended by the attending Arab ministers and UNESCO representative. Finally, Dr. Azzam held a press conference on the Center and its achievements and objectives.
