Deepening scientific dialogue with the Gulf States
In May 2025, State Secretary Martina Hirayama led a scientific delegation to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The trip had two main objectives: to nurture existing contacts in education, research and innovation and explore new avenues for cooperation.

All three countries are undergoing a profound transformation process geared towards economic diversification and social modernisation. Education, research and innovation are considered key pillars in this endeavour. Switzerland is perceived in the region as a country with a high level of scientific excellence and a strong tradition of vocational education and training. This has fuelled interest in closer cooperation.
During her trip, State Secretary Hirayama held bilateral talks with high-ranking officials from the respective ministries of education and research. In Qatar, for example, she met with Minister of Education Lolwah Al Khater, in Saudi Arabia with representatives of the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA) and in the UAE with the Deputy Minister for Strategic Affairs as well as with the Acting Minister of Higher Education and Research. Topics discussed included the role of science in economic development, the importance of aligning vocational education and training with real-world needs and the specific instruments used for bilateral and multilateral research cooperation. On this occasion, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at facilitating exchanges between the two research communities.
Doha (Qatar)



Experiencing research and innovation first-hand
A number of collaborations with Swiss higher education institutions are already in place in all three countries. In the UAE, New York University Abu Dhabi is working with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and EPFL on several research projects that receive federal funding through a Leading House mandate. Under the Leading House model, SERI commissions Swiss higher education institutions to develop and test new cooperation instruments in selected regions. Joint projects also exist through Horizon Europe (e.g. in the fields of medicine and energy). Discussions have also been held with representatives of (higher education) institutions in all three countries to explore further avenues of cooperation.
The Swiss delegation visited institutions such as Sidra Medicine and the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute in Doha, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. In Riyadh, the Swiss delegation was welcomed at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC). These visits gave participants valuable insights into local research priorities in areas such as sustainability, energy and space technology. Discussions with scientific and industrial stakeholders also helped to identify potential future joint projects and strategies to encourage research and innovation.
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)



Focus on cooperation potential
In all three countries, considerable interest was shown in dual vocational education and training. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE each have their own national reform agendas focussed specifically on developing vocational skills. Swiss expertise, delivered through Swiss companies operating locally, could play a greater role in future.
In highly innovative regions with global aspirations – such as the Gulf region – diplomacy for science can play an important role in building trust and fostering lasting connections between scientific communities.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)



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