Prof Abdullah Yousif Al Hawaj of Bahrain's Ahlia University has been elected as the new president of Association of Arab Private Institutions for Higher Education (AAPIHE), a non-governmental and non-profit organization.

AAPIHE was set up 15 years ago to create a community empowered by the investment sector initiatives in high education and promote academic activities. It works for the long-term development needs of Arab private universities.

Private Arab educational institutions from most countries including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia UAE, Oman, Jordan, Yemen, Lebanon, Egypt and Syria are represented in the AAPIHE.

Commenting on the appointment, Ahlia University said Prof Al Hawaj's appointment is in recognition of his efforts in supporting and promoting higher education and academic affairs.

It also recognises the distinguished status of higher education in Bahrain and the fine reputation Ahlia University enjoys as an prominent institution in the region, it added.

Prof Al Hawaj, who will be the association president for the next four years, asserted his persistence on developing the association to serve academic institutions in the Arab world.

'We will foster co-operation among the institutes of higher education and the business community besides improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results,' he noted.

AAPIHE, he said, will also promote professional development and encouraging international cooperation in terms of joint research, workshops, seminars and exchange programs.

'All members of AAPIHE share the common perspective of enhancing the Arab national development and reinforce the relationship among Arab private institutions for higher education and the private sector,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service