Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Afrah Al-Zouba, met today in the temporary capital, Aden, with the President of Aden University, Dr. Al-Khader Laswar, to discuss a range of issues related to advancing the University’s development projects and strengthening its role in supporting higher education and academic excellence.

The meeting focused on several priority initiatives, most notably the Arab Fund-financed Teaching Hospital Project, which is expected to make a significant contribution to both the education and health sectors. The two sides also discussed ways to resume externally funded projects to enhance the University’s infrastructure and improve the quality of higher education.

Dr. Al-Zouba emphasized that higher education and improving university outcomes remain key priorities within the Ministry’s plans and programmes. She highlighted the importance of supporting Aden University as one of Yemen’s leading academic institutions and strengthening training and professional development programmes for academic staff to better align with national development priorities and labour market needs. She also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding partnerships with donors and international institutions and leveraging international cooperation programmes to mobilize financing for strategic projects that advance higher education and enhance its outcomes.

For his part, Dr. Laswar outlined the University’s most pressing needs and challenges, as well as ongoing efforts to modernize its academic programmes and improve the learning environment. He stressed the importance of strengthening coordination with the Ministry and development partners to ensure the implementation of key projects, particularly the Teaching Hospital Project, which will support academic training while providing essential healthcare services to the wider community.