India-Arab Universities Presidents’ Summit ends

The Second India–Arab Universities Presidents’ Summit concluded at the Ajman University with the formal release of the Ajman Declaration 2026, marking a new phase of cooperation between higher education institutions across the Arab world and India.

The two-day summit convened university presidents, senior policymakers, regulatory leaders, and academic partners to define shared priorities for research collaboration, innovation ecosystems, and talent development across both regions.

Their deliberations culminated in the Ajman Declaration 2026, which sets out a coordinated framework focused on sustainability and health research, joint academic infrastructure, leadership development, university–industry partnerships, and expanded academic mobility.

The declaration was presented by Prof. Anas Al-Soud, Executive Director of the Association of Arab Universities, and Dr. Archana Thakur, Joint Secretary of India’s University Grants Commission, reflecting the collective engagement of institutions across both regions.

Talking to the media, Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, said: “As host of this summit, Ajman University brought together leaders who share a commitment to deeper academic partnership between India and the Arab world.

The Ajman Declaration 2026 gives structure to that partnership. It sets clear priorities for joint research, innovation, leadership development, and academic mobility, and it strengthens a network of institutions working together to prepare the next generation of talent.”

He told Gulf Today “It further reinforced our collective commitment to building sustainable institutional partnerships that drive excellence in higher education, future-ready skill development and high-impact joint research, particularly in transformative fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing and Biotechnology. It also reflected the UAE’s leading role as a global hub for knowledge exchange and innovation diplomacy.”

The declaration calls for sustained consultation among higher education ministries, regulators, and university associations to align standards and reduce barriers to collaboration. It also proposes stronger engagement between university incubators and industry partners, cross-border innovation training, and mechanisms to support responsible data sharing and research integrity.

As part of the summit outcomes, participating institutions launched the India–Arab University 10+10 Cooperation Program, established a Summit Monitoring Committee, and announced the India–Arab University Research and Mobility Network to support implementation of the declaration’s priorities.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter