AGP Executive Report

War & Student Lives: A student in the US describes how the Iran-linked conflict is reshaping daily life for relatives in Lebanon, with families struggling to communicate and some fleeing toward Syria, Armenia and Turkey. UNRWA Under Pressure: Israel began clearing a UNRWA compound in Jerusalem, renewing international backlash over restrictions on the agency’s work. Autism Inclusion in the Gulf: Qatar-led partners expanded a global autism advocacy coalition, adding Education Above All and others to push better diagnosis, policy, investment and lifelong support. Pharma & Health Education in Dubai: DUPHAT 2026 opened in Dubai, drawing 25,000+ visitors from 85 countries and spotlighting pharma, parapharma, supplements and health technologies. Higher Ed & Global Mobility: A report on why more international students are choosing India highlights shifting visa and recruitment pressures in major destinations. Back-to-School Costs in the UAE: Families in the Gulf report rising school expenses tied to disrupted shipping routes from the Red Sea and wider Iran-war pressures. Skills, Jobs & Youth: Kenya’s CEOs signal hiring restraint, a warning for graduates entering a crowded labour market.

Education Costs Under Strain (Gulf): With the Iran war disrupting Red Sea and Gulf shipping, UAE families report higher back-to-school costs, from groceries to school supplies and transport, as retailers try to absorb price shocks. Higher Education & Access (Qatar/India): A Bihar teen, Adarsh Kumar, secures a full scholarship to Georgetown University in Qatar, highlighting how international campuses can open pathways for students who couldn’t afford coaching at home. EdTech Funding (Europe): Hungary’s BOOKR Kids raises €6.1m Series A to expand literacy, language development and AI-readiness tools for children, aiming to scale learning infrastructure globally. School Safety & Inclusion (UK): London’s mayor announces extra £875,000 for grassroots workshops and training in schools to tackle hate crime and extremism amid rising antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents. AI in Education & Language (Egypt): Egypt launches BelMasry, a free sovereign AI platform translating between Egyptian colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic and 50 foreign languages, targeting access to education and services. Cybersecurity for Education (UAE): The UAE reports AI-assisted cyberattacks targeting aviation, energy and education since February, with attackers moving faster than defenses. Regional Education Development (Qatar): WCM-Q Qatar’s Aspiring Doctors Programme brings high school students into healthcare-focused learning activities.

Anti-Hate Education Funding (UK): London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced £875,000 more for grassroots groups via the Shared Endeavour Fund, backing school and community workshops to counter radicalisation and hate as antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents rise. China–Jordan Strategic Partnership (Middle East): Xi Jinping met Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Beijing, with cooperation documents spanning diplomacy, trade, infrastructure, digital economy and judicial affairs—framed as support for regional stability. AI in Arabic Education (Egypt): Egypt launched BelMasry, a free “sovereign” AI platform translating Egyptian colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic into 50 languages, aimed at education, media and voice-enabled public services. AI + Technical School Upskilling (Saudi Arabia): Tuwaiq Academy and Google for Education launched ALBUS to integrate AI and modern tech into technical schools for gifted students across multiple cities, training teachers and targeting 450 students. Higher Ed Expansion (UAE): The University of Greater Manchester opened a Ras Al Khaimah campus, expanding access to international qualifications in the Northern Emirates. Youth, Work and Gender (Global with regional relevance): A report warns 1.2 billion young people will enter the labor force soon; it says connecting young women to education and jobs is key to avoiding instability.

AI & Language Access: Egypt launched BelMasry, a free “sovereign” AI platform translating between Egyptian colloquial Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic plus 50 foreign languages, aiming to close a language gap for education, media and voice-enabled public services. Edtech in the Gulf: Saudi Arabia’s Tuwaiq Academy and Google for Education launched ALBUS, using Chromebooks and Gemini AI to train teachers and support gifted technical-school students across 10 schools in multiple cities. Higher Education Expansion: The University of Greater Manchester (formerly Bolton) opened a new Ras Al Khaimah campus, with phase II planned for 2027 to expand access to international qualifications. Student Pathways & Scholarships: A Bihar teenager, Adarsh Kumar, won a full-ride scholarship to Georgetown University in Qatar after building a skills platform and overcoming coaching barriers. School Costs & Household Strain: Back-to-school pressures are rising as families report higher costs linked to regional conflict-driven logistics disruptions. Interfaith Campus Support: GW’s Center for Interfaith and Spiritual Life, created amid Gaza-related campus tensions, is expanding dialogue and programming across religious and non-religious students.

University Access Under Sanctions: Australia’s education department warned universities to “fit for purpose” policies for foreign doctoral students, with some institutions stopping Iran-linked PhD applications and expanding checks on researchers and lab access tied to Iran, Russia, North Korea, and Belarus. Student Pathways in Qatar: Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar ran its yearlong Qatar Aspiring Doctors Programme for 36 students from 21 high schools, mixing science training with research, writing, and hybrid learning. Lebanon Identity Crisis: A report links Lebanon’s shadow “passport” networks to forged identities and covert travel routes, raising concerns for cross-border movement amid regional conflict. Qatar English Learning Launch: 51Talk unveiled Saudi-focused English courseware at the 2026 Back-to-School Exhibition, using Oxford-licensed materials and live one-on-one tutoring. Gaza’s Child Survivors: A profile of Gaza’s “sole survivor” children shows how war has left kids managing daily life alone after mass killings and displacement. NYC School Climate: A report says antisemitic incidents and anti-Israel hostility rose in New York City public schools, including harassment and hate symbols, with cases concentrated in Brooklyn and Queens. Saudi Support-Care Gap: A Saudi oncology study highlights barriers to integrating supportive care, pointing to fragmented systems and workforce gaps.

Identity & Security: A new report links Lebanon’s passport-forgery crisis to forged identities and covert travel routes allegedly tied to Hezbollah, the IRGC and wider networks, stretching from Beirut to Syria, Egypt and Latin America. English Learning in Saudi Arabia: 51Talk launched Saudi-focused English courseware at the 2026 Back-to-School Exhibition, using Oxford-licensed materials, live one-on-one teaching and AI-adaptive pathways. Student Pathways in Qatar: Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar’s Qatar Aspiring Doctors Programme welcomed 36 high school students from 21 schools, mixing monthly in-person science prep with online modules and research/writing training. Education & Family Support: Research argues family structure predicts school problems and depression more than race or income, challenging how admissions and school support are measured. Scholarship Success Story: A Bihar student who left home with Rs 1,000 built a skills platform, won the Global Student Prize, and now heads to a full-ride Georgetown scholarship in Qatar. Gaza’s Children: A profile of Gaza’s “sole survivor” children shows how displacement and grief are reshaping schooling and daily life. Medical Training & Care: A Saudi-focused study highlights barriers to integrated supportive cancer care, pointing to fragmented systems and workforce gaps. Bahrain Evacuation Fallout: Families evacuated from Bahrain face long-term uncertainty as support programs expire and officials say returns may be unlikely soon.

Medical Education Pipeline (Qatar): Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar’s Qatar Aspiring Doctors Programme brought 36 high school students from 21 schools into a year-long pre-med track with math/science instruction plus research and writing skills, using a hybrid model of monthly in-person sessions and online modules. Technical Training (Bahrain): AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation’s Rayaat Scholarship Programme launched its first international training for four engineering students in China, running Aug. 18–Sept. 2 at Qingdao Harbour Vocational & Technical College. Education & Innovation Hub (Egypt): Egypt’s transport minister toured the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in New Alamein, highlighting its College of Artificial Intelligence, engineering facilities, and teaching hospital services as part of a broader education and research push. Global Higher Education (India): A report argues India is becoming a major destination for higher education, driven by expanding campuses and a growing academic ecosystem. AI in Education (Iraq): Shafaq News reports Iraqis are already using AI for homework and errands, but warns that weak digital foundations and fragmented government systems limit real readiness.

Higher Education & Mobility: India’s push to become a global destination for higher education highlights foreign campuses and a growing academic ecosystem. Regional Education Hubs: Egypt’s New Alamein is being promoted as an education, innovation and research hub after a visit to AASTMT facilities, including its AI college and teaching hospital. Student Training Abroad: Bahrain’s AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation (Rayaat) launched its first international training programme for engineering students in China with a two-week placement at Qingdao Harbour Vocational & Technical College. Campus Expansion: Ray Education Group rolled out “Adcote Global Campus 2.0,” aiming to connect global campuses through shared curricula and peer-based learning. AI Readiness in Education Systems: Iraq’s AI adoption is outpacing infrastructure, with fragmented government data and weak coordination raising barriers for schools and public services. University Governance & Free Speech: A judge dismissed a pro-Hamas professor’s discrimination lawsuit against Columbia, after the university criticized his remarks. Health & Student Wellbeing Research: Studies from Saudi Arabia and Syria point to growing burdens tied to cancer supportive-care gaps and digital eye strain among medical students.

Education & Innovation in Egypt: Egypt’s Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir says New Alamein is emerging as a regional hub for education, innovation and scientific research, highlighting AASTMT’s College of Artificial Intelligence, engineering facilities, and a teaching hospital serving residents daily. Higher Education & Global Campuses: Ray Education launched “World Classroom, Peer Companions: Adcote Global Campus 2.0,” aiming to connect campuses across East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe through shared curricula and peer exchanges. Student Health & Learning: A study on Syrian medical students links digital eye strain to academic burden and symptom burden, underscoring how screen-heavy learning affects wellbeing. University Governance & Speech: A New York judge dismissed a pro-Hamas visiting professor’s discrimination and defamation claims against Columbia, saying the case failed to show discrimination tied to protected activity. AI Readiness in Iraq: Iraq’s AI push is moving ahead of infrastructure, with fragmented government data and weak coordination flagged as barriers to using AI in public services and education. Scholarships & International Students: Global Elim Foundation will host a scholarship ceremony for 32 international students from 18 countries, with recipients enrolled across 29 universities. Military Families & Disruption: U.S. Navy evacuees from Bahrain remain in limbo after long displacement, with benefits expiring and families facing housing and logistics confusion—an indirect stressor for schooling and stability.

Higher Education & Policy (Jordan): Jordanian opinion pieces say Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s Cabinet reshuffle was handled unusually, with details leaked in advance to “cool and extinguish” reshuffle appetite, as the government also gears up for the 2027 budget and banking credit moves. Medical Education & Training (Global): A new market report highlights rapid growth in patient simulators, driven by demand for simulation-based medical education and digital/remote training. Education Tech & Global Campuses (Middle East/Asia): Ray Education launched “World Classroom, Peer Companions: Adcote Global Campus 2.0,” expanding cross-campus curricula and exchanges across East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Student Health (Middle East): A study on Syrian medical students links digital eye strain and perceived academic burden to symptom burden, adding to the evidence that screen-heavy learning affects wellbeing. AI Readiness (Iraq): Shafaq News reports Iraqis are already using chatbots for homework and services, but warns the country’s AI readiness is held back by fragmented government databases and weak digital foundations. Scholarships (International): Global Elim Foundation announced scholarships for 32 international students from 18 countries, with recipients studying across 29 universities in South Korea. Regional Security & Education Context (Syria/Turkey/Israel): Reporting on escalating Israel-Turkey tensions via Syria underscores how conflict spillovers keep disrupting regional stability that education systems depend on.

AI & Infrastructure Gap (Iraq): Iraq’s push for digital transformation is colliding with weak foundations—fragmented government databases, thin coordination, and limited “digital plumbing”—as citizens increasingly use chatbots for homework and errands despite power cuts. Higher Education Innovation (Saudi Arabia/Switzerland): Emeritus won three Brandon Hall Group awards for learning and leadership development, including Golds for simulation-based leadership programs with ADAL in Saudi Arabia. International Training (Bahrain): AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation’s Rayaat Scholarship launches its first overseas engineering training for Bahraini students in China, focused on ports and logistics skills. Student Recruitment (UK): A QS report says international demand remains strong, but visa uncertainty and policy instability are reshaping how universities compete for students. Campus Freedom & Accountability (UK/US): Coverage highlights renewed scrutiny of academic conduct and university responses to allegations, including the Cambridge professor Jason Arday case and broader debates on how campuses handle speech and misconduct. School Readiness (September): Reports warn some schools face mixed readiness for reopening, with damage and repair timelines a key concern. Regional Tensions (Syria/Turkey/Israel): Escalating strikes and incursions in Syria raise risks for wider regional stability, with education and youth futures likely to be affected by prolonged instability.

Afghan Women’s Rights: Five years after the Taliban returned, the ICC reportedly ordered a standalone probe into Taliban persecution of women, separating it from the broader Afghanistan case that also involved alleged US crimes—keeping pressure on accountability as women’s fate remains uncertain. Afghan Resistance & Education: Fawzia Koofi calls the situation “gender apartheid,” pointing to underground schools and online solidarity as women keep resisting despite bans and systematic erasure. Higher Education Integrity: A Middle East Eye analysis says Cambridge professor Jason Arday’s claims about marathon fundraising and semi-pro football appear true, while other allegations remain disputed—after his death and amid an independent investigation into his appointment. Student Mobility & Visas: A survey of education agents warns that visa uncertainty is discouraging strong international students, even as governments tighten rules. Regional EdTech Growth: Singapore-based Sedifly appoints Ameer Ibrahim as board advisor as it expands admissions services, including medical school admissions, and prepares a new funding round for regional growth. School Performance (Middle East): Bangladesh MHM School & College in Qatar reports a 91.43% SSC pass rate, with 16 students earning GPA-5. Private Education Demand: Kuwait’s talabat renews sponsorship of CODED’s Academy X, backing women’s STEM and entrepreneurship training. Higher Ed Regulation (Europe): Greece reportedly stripped licences for several UK university branch campuses, raising questions about transnational education models.

Student Visa Policy: A Navitas survey of 870 education agents across 64 countries says visa uncertainty is pushing away strong international applicants, with 41% of agents saying lower acceptance rates discourage genuine students. Higher Education & Antisemitism Probes: A whistleblower alleges Trump-era DOJ investigations into antisemitism at Ivy League universities were politically driven, with predetermined outcomes and funding pressure before probes finished; separate reporting also cites 250 antisemitic/anti-Israel incidents in NYC public schools since Oct. 7, 2023. Women in Tech Education: In Kuwait, talabat renewed its sponsorship of CODED’s Academy X, backing a women’s empowerment program linking STEM education with real industry experience. Afghanistan Education Rights: Coverage marks five years since the Taliban returned to power, highlighting the ongoing rollback of girls’ education and broader rights. School Safety Drills: Thailand schools began “run, hide, fight” active-shooter response drills after a deadly school attack, following a directive requiring security plans and rehearsals. International Education Economy: Jordan is urged to treat international student recruitment as an “education economy,” leveraging stability, costs, and Amman’s QS student-city ranking to attract AI- and tech-focused learners.

Education Economy: Jordan is pitching international students as an economic engine, pointing to Amman’s QS ranking and arguing that AI and the digital economy can turn higher education into wider spending across housing, transport, healthcare and tourism. AI & Learning Governance: Jordan’s Responsible AI ranking is being framed as a win, but experts warn the country must move from AI strategy on paper to real implementation and local “production” of AI tools. School Safety: Thailand has rolled out active-shooter response drills after a deadly school attack, with schools told to rehearse emergency plans using “run, hide, fight” exercises. Campus Climate: New York City public schools have documented 250 antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents since Oct. 7, with harassment, vandalism and biased instruction cited as key drivers. Back-to-School Costs: Belgium families face steep school expenses, with technical and vocational tracks the most costly, pushing more reuse and second-hand buying. Higher Ed & Policy: A Jordanian press analysis discusses a cabinet reshuffle and 2027 budget prep, tying governance moves to education and broader state priorities.

AI & Education Policy: A U.S. DOJ whistleblower alleges politically motivated civil-rights probes into Ivy League universities, with funding pressure and “predetermined” outcomes—raising fresh questions about how education institutions are treated by government. Diaspora & Student Pathways: Nigeria’s NiDCOM chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged Lagos State University graduates to treat “JAPA” as a launchpad for national development, stressing character and legal migration. Student Inclusion Data: Texas’ El Paso Leadership Academy School District reported just one Asian student in 2024-25, highlighting extreme underrepresentation. Afghanistan Labour & Women’s Access: The ILO says women’s labour force participation in Afghanistan has fallen to 5.1%, with employment gains concentrated among men—another blow to education-to-work prospects. Responsible AI Strategy: Jordan’s responsible AI ranking is strong, but experts warn the next step is execution, not just policy drafting. School Costs: Belgium families face steep back-to-school bills, with vocational tracks among the most expensive. Campus Free Speech: A Florida professor sued after an “offensive” assignment led to dismissal, fueling debate over academic freedom and student rights.

Jordan–China Cooperation: Jordan’s King Abdullah II visit to China is framed as a major milestone for expanding economic and development ties, with the Chinese ambassador citing growing trade and planned cooperation agreements. AI Policy Push: Jordan is ranked 49th globally in a responsible AI index, but experts urge the country to move fast from AI strategy drafting to real delivery and production. Taliban Anniversary & Education Rights: Afghanistan marks five years since the Taliban returned to power, with reporting highlighting tighter restrictions on women’s education and work, plus talk of possible engagement with the US. Student Innovation in the Region: A Chandigarh University alumnus launched an AI-powered startup, Fovea Infotech, turning campus ideas into business growth—an example of education-to-enterprise pathways. SEND Inclusion Concern: New UK figures warn children with special educational needs and disabilities are being isolated at higher rates, raising alarms about whether inclusion reforms are working. Education Under Conflict: Coverage on the Iran-war’s knock-on effects points to rising costs for transport and schooling, with poorest families hit first.