The Perspectives of Higher Agricultural Education in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

This chapter offers a perspective on how agricultural education, research, andextension services address educational challenges and foster food security andsustainability in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In the last twodecades, significant progress has been made in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UnitedArab Emirates regarding agricultural education infrastructure and human capitaldevelopment. However, agricultural education in the GCC countries face challenges,including stagnant enrollment, the need to offer more diverse programs, and enhancededucation quality to satisfy the job market demand for qualified professionals.There is a need to formulate policies and initiatives to address the challenges facingagricultural education programs, research, and agricultural extension services.Graduates of agricultural higher education institutions must be trained and learnto be capable leaders to satisfy the needs for agricultural development, achieve foodsecurity goals and sustainability, and be industry entrepreneurs.