In light of Bahrain's rapid expansion in higher education institutions, the Higher Education Law No. (3) of 2005 was issued on April 20, 2005, and was amended on October 1, 2020, by Decree No. (31) to modify some of its provisions. Article Three of the law establishes the Higher Education Council as a legal entity with financial and administrative independence and subject to ministerial oversight.
The Law also establishes a General Secretariat for Higher Education as a specialized agency responsible for higher education in Bahrain, reporting to the Council of Trustees. This aims to enable the Council to better monitor university affairs, organize higher education, and regulate the laws and regulations that govern it now and in the future.
Higher education Council in the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to thrive through introduction and development of existing academic programmes that cater for market place needs the sustainable support and guidance to existing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the establishment of new universities and the promotion of scientific research. The Higher Education Council and its General Secretariat are committed to providing high-quality education that enabling graduates to compete regionally and internationally.
The Higher Education Council in Bahrain monitors the performance higher education institutions, their academic programmes, and the student support services they provide, in addition to ensuring the quality of their performance, outcomes, and financial conditions. These efforts aim to maintain a high level of education quality in HEIs, encourage investment in this field, and establish the kingdom of Bahrain as a global of hub for quality education play and a major role in the transition to a knowledge-based economy. This is achieved by preparing integrated and sustainable human frameworks with the ability to keep up with knowledge developments in various fields of specialization globally, meeting the current and future needs of the local society, and aligning with national economic development and enhancing competitiveness regionally and internationally.
The main pillars of the Higher Education Council in Bahrain is developing education in higher education institutions, strengthening relationships and partnerships between higher education institutions and the business and industry sectors, and ensuring quality education by setting up internal quality control processes and measures. It also monitors the implementation of the strategic plans of HEIS, which contribute to achieving the comprehensive strategy set by the government to develop the higher education sector. These efforts aim to regulate the higher education sector in Bahrain and achieve the long-term aspirations of higher education institutions that grant academic degrees in a cooperative and collaboration manner.
It is our role to ensure the provision and facilitation of providing necessary support for students is also a top priority of the General Secretariat. The latest academic information, advice, guidance, and support students would require to make appropriate decisions about their academic journey.
The General Secretariat also places great emphasis on scientific research and endeavors to increase reliable, and validated scientific research and enhance international publication in indexed, high-stake and leer-reviewed international journal.