PM Urges Stronger Alignment Between Universities and National Development Priorities

September Net

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya Zindani has stressed the need for universities to align their academic programs with the country’s development priorities and labor market needs, underscoring their role as drivers of economic growth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and institutional capacity-building while keeping pace with digital transformation in education, administration, and scientific research.

The remarks came as the prime minister chaired part of the fourth session of the University of Aden Council for June 2026, held on Monday at the Faculty of Pharmacy. The meeting reviewed a range of academic and administrative issues aimed at improving the university’s educational and institutional performance, in addition to discussing existing challenges and measures to address them to enable the institution to continue fulfilling its educational and intellectual mission.

Dr. Zindani said universities should extend their role beyond education and degree-awarding to become strategic partners in shaping public policy and the country’s future. He emphasized that higher education institutions should serve as national centers of expertise, providing government bodies with research, policy studies, scientific consultations, and practical solutions to support sound decision-making and address development and economic challenges.

He praised the University of Aden as one of Yemen’s longstanding academic institutions, describing it as a beacon of learning that has consistently contributed to preparing the skilled professionals on whom the nation’s present and future depend.