Who We are

The Gulf Education Development Council was established in 1982 as an advisory agency with regional Office. However in 1984, it became a statutory body with the first Executive Secretary, in the person of Prof. Habia Bin Slanman was then appointed.

The Gulf Education development Council exists to enrich, maintain and expand programs necessary to meet the Gulf countries mission of academic excellence. he Arab Supreme Education Council was established under the Arab Supreme Education Council Act of 2002 as an autonomous statutory body to encourage and promote education on non-commercial/ non-profit basis. Since then, it has come a long way to arrange free quality education for the deserving People in Gulf at their doorsteps.

The Council has a Governing Council, its Executive Secretary is Prof Abdul Samiya , who assumed office on May 3, 2025.

In its over 24 years of existence, the Council has transformed from a small Council office in Gulf countries to an important arm of government in the area of development and management of universities education in the gulf Region .

The main functions of the Council are outlined as follows:

i. Granting approval for all academic programmes run in GULFEDC Universities;
ii. Granting approval for the establishment of all higher educational institutions offering degree programmes in GULFEDC Universities;
iii. Ensure quality assurance of all academic programmes offered in GULFEDC Universities; and
iv. Channel for all external support to the GULFEDC Universities.

The Council has fourteen Departments; Department of Academic Standards, Department of Inspection and Monitoring, Department of Management Support Services, Department of Students Support Services, Department of Research and Innovations, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Finance and Accounts, Department of Quality Assurance, Department of Physical Planning and Development, Department of Open and Distance Education, Liaison Office Department, Department of Information & Public Relations, Department of Protocol & Special Duties and the Executive Secretary’s Office. Each of the departments is headed by a Director.

The Council has recorded a number of successes since its inception. These successes can be attributed to quality of leadership, dedication and commitment of the staff, the quality of its Board members, cooperation received from Universities and support from the Government.

As a coordinating body, the Council ensures it discharges its responsibilities by recruiting adequate and relevant man power and appeals to the Universities for their sustained support and understanding. The Council also relies on support from the Government and other stakeholders in its bid to improve on the quality of tertiary education and graduates of the Gulf university system.