وزارة التعليم العالي و البحث العلمي اليمنية

Overview

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Yemen (Arabic: وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي) is the central governmental authority responsible for overseeing and regulating higher education, scientific research, and innovation in Yemen. Established in 1970, the Ministry formulates policies, strategies, and plans to develop and promote high-quality tertiary education and research, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhance the skills and capabilities of the Yemeni workforce. Despite the ongoing conflict, the Ministry continues to work under challenging conditions to provide access to education and support research and innovation in the country.

Historical and Legal Framework

The Ministry was established in 1970 to oversee higher education and scientific research in Yemen. It was re-established in 2001 after a period of suspension, and it operates under the legal framework provided by the Higher Education Law. The Ministry is responsible for formulating policies, strategies, and plans for higher education, research, and innovation in Yemen. It also regulates and monitors the quality of higher education institutions and programs in the country, ensuring that they are aligned with the needs of the labor market and promoting internationalization and collaboration with institutions abroad.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives in Higher Education

The Ministry's mission is to develop and promote high-quality tertiary education and research, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhance the skills and capabilities of the Yemeni workforce. Its objectives include:

• Enhancing access to quality higher education.
• Promoting research and innovation.
• Aligning educational programs with labor market requirements.
• Developing a skilled and competent workforce.
• Strengthening international cooperation and partnerships.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

The Ministry is led by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who is appointed by the President of Yemen. The current Minister is Prof. Khaled Ahmed Al-Wasabi, who has been serving in this role since 2021. The Ministry's organizational structure includes various departments and units that support its functions, such as the Council for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance (CAQA), which is responsible for accrediting higher education institutions and programs in Yemen. CAQA operates as an independent juridical person, ensuring the application of criteria for program and institutional accreditation and promoting quality assurance in higher education.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

The Council for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance (CAQA) plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education in Yemen. CAQA's responsibilities include:

• Accrediting higher education institutions and their programs.
• Conducting institutional audits to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards.
• Developing and implementing an accreditation and evaluation framework for learning programs leading to the National Qualifications Framework Register.
• Advising the Minister on proposed higher education legislation.

These efforts aim to ensure that higher education institutions in Yemen provide quality education that meets national and international standards.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Ministry actively engages in international collaborations to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Yemen. Notable initiatives include:

• Partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research: In February 2025, Yemen and Iraq signed an executive agreement for the years 2025–2028, aiming to strengthen academic and cultural exchange between the two countries. This includes facilitating the enrollment of Yemeni students in Iraqi universities and promoting joint research initiatives.
• Cooperation with the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research: In November 2023, Yemen and Algeria signed an executive cooperation program for the period 2023–2025, focusing on areas such as joint diploma programs, scholarships, and academic exchange between higher education institutions in both countries.
• Collaboration with the Turkish Higher Education Council: In 2023, the Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish Higher Education Council to enhance cooperation in areas such as joint degree programs, faculty exchange, and research collaboration.

These partnerships facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the implementation of best practices in higher education and innovation.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

The Ministry's initiatives are poised to significantly impact the higher education landscape in Yemen. Key developments include:

• Implementation of the Higher Education Strategy for 2025–2027: The Ministry launched the Higher Education Strategy for 2025–2027, aiming to align higher education and scientific research with the foundations of leadership, creativity, and a sustainable environment. This strategy focuses on enhancing the quality of education, promoting research and innovation, and developing a skilled workforce capable of contributing to national development.
• Development of Indigenous Higher Education System: The Ministry has unveiled an Indigenous Higher Education System, developed through local expertise from its institutions. This system was piloted and refined through collaborative training with 89% of the country's higher and tertiary education institutions, marking a significant milestone in Yemen's push towards a data-driven education sector.

These efforts are expected to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Yemen, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving national development.

Summary

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research plays a critical role in shaping the nation's higher education and scientific research landscape. Through its governance of statutory bodies, implementation of quality assurance mechanisms, and fostering of international collaborations, the Ministry strives to provide quality education that meets national and international standards. Its initiatives, such as the Higher Education Strategy for 2025–2027 and the development of an Indigenous Higher Education System, aim to align educational outcomes with national development goals, ensuring that Yemen's higher education sector contributes effectively to the country's economic modernization and industrialization efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the mission of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research?
  The Ministry's mission is to develop and promote high-quality tertiary education and research, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhance the skills and capabilities of the Yemeni workforce.
• What is the Higher Education Strategy for 2025–2027?
  The Higher Education Strategy for 2025–2027 is a strategic initiative focusing on aligning higher education and scientific research with the foundations of leadership, creativity, and a sustainable environment, contributing to the country's economic and political modernization.
• What is the Indigenous Higher Education System?
  The Indigenous Higher Education System is a framework developed through local expertise from Yemeni institutions, aiming to align educational outcomes with national development goals and ensure a data-driven education sector.
• What is the role of the Council for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance (CAQA)?
  CAQA is responsible for accrediting higher education institutions and programs, conducting institutional audits, and developing and implementing an accreditation and evaluation framework for learning programs leading to the National Qualifications Framework Register.
• What international collaborations has the Ministry engaged in?
  The Ministry has partnered with organizations such as the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Turkish Higher Education Council to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Yemen through various initiatives and projects.

Organization Name

وزارة التعليم العالي و البحث العلمي اليمنية

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Yemen

Acronym

MoHESR

Year of Establishment

1970

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Aden
Aden Yemen

Phone

+967 (1) 288 911

Fax

+967 (1) 288 930

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Yemen's Facebook page

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

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Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Yemen's Wikipedia article

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