In an effort to build a bridge connecting South America and the Arab world in cultural and scientific fields, the 12 South American countries and the 22 Arab states have pledged to increase cooperation in higher education and science and technology by creating an Arab-South American technology university. The plans, which were unveiled at the second South American-Arab Summit on March 31 in Doha, Qatar, look to set up the Simón Bolívar Technological University to promote capacity-building programs, postgraduate courses, researcher networks, technology transfer and exchange of experiences. The plans also include setting up joint research and education programs between the two regions’ leading universities and research institutions. The university also aims to promote bi-regional scientific research and technical know-how as well as to organize joint conferences.

By Staff