The new project which will be funded by World Bank with an amount of USD 13 million, is designed to achieve the objectives set in the Higher Education National Strategy.

The meeting, which was held at the World Bank Public Information Center (PIC), Sana’a University, was attended by more than 42 participants including the Higher Education Vice Minister, Dr. Mohammed Mutaher, Sana’a University Rector, Dr. Khalid Tameem, Academia, Shoura Council, relevant CSOs representatives and World Bank team.

The consultative meeting was launched with a speech by Ms. Ayesha Vawda on behalf of the World Bank by Country Manager in which she thanked the participants for attending and spoke about the objectives of the meeting as well as the new project. “This project will contribute to the development of the higher education sector and therefore, we would like to involve you, the stakeholders, from the beginning of the process to guarantee that we build students with strong knowledge and capacity.” Said Ms. Vawda.

In his speech, Dr. Mohammed Mutaher, thanked the World Bank and project team for their outstanding joint work with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the preparation of the project. “This new project which will be funded by World Bank with an amount of USD 13 million, is designed to achieve the objectives set in the Higher Education National Strategy and will be focusing on capacity building of the higher education teaching staff, improving the management system and providing special funds for implementing higher education programs”. Said Dr. Mutaher.

The speeches were followed by 3 presentations delivered by Dr. Mohammed Sarhan Al Mekhlafi, manager of the project, Mr. Roger Pearson , and Mr. Benoit Millot in which they explained the structure, components, allocations for every component.“More than 50% of the project total (USD 7 million) is allocated for implementing university programs through the Quality Improvement Fund, a key component of the project”. Said Dr. Al Mekhalfi.

Key participants comments were presented by Dr. Waheeba Faree, head of board of secretaries of Queen Arwa University and Dean of the Higher Institute for Administrative Sciences in which she emphasized on providing equal opportunities for both public and private universities to benefit from the new project. Mr. Maeeen Al Eryani, head of the Education for Employment Foundation proposed to add two more components to the new project which are education planning and monitoring and Evaluation.

Dr. Twfeeq Sufian, Professor of the engineering faculty, proposed that scientific research and linking education quality with labor market needs as well as updating higher education curricula shall be addressed by the new project. He emphasized on considering selection of the project committees based on certain criteria.

In response to a question raised by one of the participants about accessibility of information on the project, Mr. Aziz Al Hadi, project coordinator, confirmed that there will be a website for the project in which all information, activities and reports will be posted in addition to the daily report produced by the Higher Education Ministry. Some CSOs expressed their interest to be involved in the monitoring of the project to ensure best performance and outcomes. The suggested ideas were met by acceptance from the project team and put in consideration.

The meeting was concluded with recommendations to include NGOs in the project observation committees and consider more involvement for CSOs in the feature activities of the project.