Regional

World Bank: Arab Education in Need of Drastic Reform

The World Bank released a report in February that says that the quality of education in the Arab world is falling behind other regions and needs urgent reform if it is to tackle unemployment. Bank officials said Arab states had to make improving education their top priority, because it was essential for economic development.

The region has not seen the increasing literacy, and school and university enrollment levels witnessed in Asia and Latin America, the report said. Djibouti, Yemen, Iraq and Morocco were ranked the worst educational reformers.

The report stated that unemployment in the Arab world averaged 14 percent, which is higher than other areas in the world, except Sub-Saharan Africa, with the Palestinian territories coming highest with nearly 26 percent. Because the region has a very young population, job creation and training will be of increasing importance. Currently 60 percent of the region’s population is under 30 years of age, and the Bank estimates that close to 100 million new jobs will need to be created over the next 10 to 15 years in the Arab world, which means improving education. The report concluded that Jordan and Kuwait were the top educational reformers in the region in terms of access, efficiency and quality of education.

– The World Bank
February 2008

Bahrain

Private Institutions Given Four Months to Meet Quality Standards

Private institutions of education have been given until the end of the current academic year, in June, to meet new standards or they will face penalties or closure, reports the Gulf Daily News. Institutions must meet financial and academic requirements as outlined under a new higher education law. In addition, institutions have been given three years to meet infrastructure requirements, or have their licenses revoked.

– Gulf Daily News
February 5, 2008

Foreign Universities Invited to Set up Shop

During a speech outlining reform plans for Bahrain’s education system, the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Reform Project Board chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifan stated that “international universities of proven track record are being encouraged to set up their base in Bahrain.”

Like many of its Gulf neighbors, Bahrain is seeking to enact quick reforms that would see tertiary-level instruction reach international standards. As a fast track-measure many countries in the region are inviting foreign universities to establish programs and branch campuses. Al Khlifan’s recent remarks at a conference of business leaders in early February suggest that Bahrain may be looking in a similar direction. Among other comments, the deputy minister said reforms would be aimed at developing stronger links between the education sector, the market and private industry.

– Gulf Daily News
February 7, 2008

Iraq

Iraqi Scholars Head for Australia

As many as 50 scholars from Iraq will be heading to Australia to undertake postgraduate positions at universities across the country by the end of March as part of Iraq’s nation rebuilding program.

The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education approached Australia’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in November seeking support in obtaining offers from universities, applying for visas and placing students in Australia. Under the agreement, Iraqi lecturers will work on sabbatical at Australian universities, and some doctoral students will complete field work and research related to their studies for three to six months.

The Iraqi Government sponsors around 1,200 students annually to study overseas for master’s degrees and doctorates, of which up to 120 were notionally allocated to Australia. According to The Australian, before the Iraq war many Iraqi scholars who travelled overseas for further study went to Britain and to a lesser extent to the US. Since 2003, Iraqis have been seeking alternative English-speaking study destinations. Priority disciplines for the Iraqi ministry are medical (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and laboratory sciences), engineering, and teaching English as a second language. In Iraq all undergraduate instruction in sciences, medicine and engineering is conducted in English.

– The Australian
January 24, 2008

United Arab Emirates

Leaders Double Stipends for Students Overseas

In a bid to defray the costs of studying overseas, the UAE government will double the amount of money it awards to cover living expenses for students on government scholarships. The initiative comes into effect from March 1.

– Gulf News
February 11, 2008