The status of education in the Arab world is currently echoing an alarming siren. Though there have been several notable achievements and many reforms in public policy, they mainly fall under the “engineering” of education and fail to develop the educational tool for freedom and development. For the Arab world to be able to catch up with the knowledge revolution and succeed in creating a strong knowledge society, it needs to develop a holistic creative multi-player solution to transcend the eminent gaps and take quantum development leaps.
In this paper I will depict the educational scene in the Arab world, highlighting the most dangerous current challenges, spot the light on the achievements that have taken place so far, and accordingly propose an effective solution that integrates all related pillars and the missing links considering the successful model of the European Union’s Creativity and Innovation strategy.
Why Qatar Needs a New Technical Vocational Education and Training Strategy NowWesley Schwalje
Beginning in the late Nineties, Qatar launched a comprehensive set of education reforms to more effectively align its education and training system with its macroeconomic policies aimed at advancing towards a knowledge-based economy. However, technical vocational education and training (TVET) has not been a significant focus of educational reforms.
African Leadership in ICT and Knowledge Societies: Issues, Tensions and Oppor...Wesley Schwalje
Our work on knowledge-based economies and skill formation is cited in this report by GESCI, established by the United Nations ICT Task, and funded by Irish Aid, Sida, SDC, and Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Speaking of our institutionalist approach, the report states “There is a demand for profound rethinking of the role of education and training systems and constituent actors inclusive of leadership actors to adapt and respond to skill demands of employers, technological progress and macro trends for knowledge-based socio-economic development (Schwalje, 2011).”
Why Qatar Needs a New Technical Vocational Education and Training Strategy NowWesley Schwalje
Beginning in the late Nineties, Qatar launched a comprehensive set of education reforms to more effectively align its education and training system with its macroeconomic policies aimed at advancing towards a knowledge-based economy. However, technical vocational education and training (TVET) has not been a significant focus of educational reforms.
African Leadership in ICT and Knowledge Societies: Issues, Tensions and Oppor...Wesley Schwalje
Our work on knowledge-based economies and skill formation is cited in this report by GESCI, established by the United Nations ICT Task, and funded by Irish Aid, Sida, SDC, and Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Speaking of our institutionalist approach, the report states “There is a demand for profound rethinking of the role of education and training systems and constituent actors inclusive of leadership actors to adapt and respond to skill demands of employers, technological progress and macro trends for knowledge-based socio-economic development (Schwalje, 2011).”
The State of Higher Education in the Middle EastWesley Schwalje
This article references a Tahseen Consulting study in which we explored the barriers facing women in entering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in the GCC in an article in Forbes Middle East. The original article is available at http://tahseen.ae/blog/?p=980.
Cambodia: Sharing the benefits of sustained growthOECDglobal
This presentation was presented by H.E. Dr. Kantha Phavi ING, Minister, Ministry of Women's Affairs, Cambodia, at the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum, held March 25-26 in Bali, Indonesia.
The skills that matter in the race between education and technology. Harry An...eraser Juan José Calderón
The skills that matter in the race between education and technology. Harry Anthony Patrinos
Practice Manager, Education, World Bank
Prepared for the 2016 Brookings Blum Roundtable
Slide-stack: https://www.slideshare.net/icdeslides/digital-learning-in-a-borderless-world
This is the presentation text for the slide-stack.
Keynote 4 May 2017 at the International Congress on Education for the 21st Century (ICE2017), hosted by the Ministry of Education, Thailand and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).
Through this brief presentation, I will provide a helicopter view on the World and South East Asia, SEA, when digitalisation is penetrating education. And raise the question: Could ambitious benchmarks be established for the 11 SEA countries and the cooperation among them?
Tahseen Consulting’s Work on Knowledge-based Economies in the Arab Word is Ci...Wesley Schwalje
The United Nations University’s Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology cited Tahseen Consulting's Wes Schwalje's research on knowledge-based economies in analyzing knowledge transfer in the MENA countries.
Women Wanted: Attracting Women to Technical Fields in QatarWesley Schwalje
Over the past several decades Qatar has dramatically reformed its education and training system to align it with macroeconomic policies aimed at advancing towards a knowledge-based economy. However, technical vocational education and training (TVET) has not been a significant focus of educational reform. Though the need for a technically trained labor force was recognized by policy makers in Qatar as early as the 1940s when Qatar began exporting oil, dedicated TVET institutions began to emerge only in the late 1990s with establishment of several postsecondary institutions, two secondary institutions for boys, government-run training academies, and the emergence of a private training market.
Tahseen Consulting’s Wes Schwalje Leads Panel on Female Retention in the GCC ...Wesley Schwalje
Schwalje outlines 5 key challenges that GCC countries must overcome to keep women in the labor force
One of the most widely reported challenges that GCC countries and companies now face is the retention of highly qualified female employees. Retention can be particularly problematic as women try to strike a balance between familial responsibilities and succeeding in the workplace. Schwalje asked the panel to reflect on five key challenges: overcoming social perceptions about occupations traditionally dominated by males, implementing female-friendly workplace policies, enabling work-life balance, developing family-friendly facilities, and articulating clear career trajectories for women.
Panel members included Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Khaled Al Khudair, Founder, Glowork, and Deborah Gills, Chief Executive Officer, Catalyst. A copy of Tahseen Consulting’s analysis supporting the criticality of addressing the five panel focus themes is below along a with video that captures Schwalje’s thoughts on the way forward.
The State of Higher Education in the Middle EastWesley Schwalje
This article references a Tahseen Consulting study in which we explored the barriers facing women in entering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in the GCC in an article in Forbes Middle East. The original article is available at http://tahseen.ae/blog/?p=980.
Cambodia: Sharing the benefits of sustained growthOECDglobal
This presentation was presented by H.E. Dr. Kantha Phavi ING, Minister, Ministry of Women's Affairs, Cambodia, at the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum, held March 25-26 in Bali, Indonesia.
The skills that matter in the race between education and technology. Harry An...eraser Juan José Calderón
The skills that matter in the race between education and technology. Harry Anthony Patrinos
Practice Manager, Education, World Bank
Prepared for the 2016 Brookings Blum Roundtable
Slide-stack: https://www.slideshare.net/icdeslides/digital-learning-in-a-borderless-world
This is the presentation text for the slide-stack.
Keynote 4 May 2017 at the International Congress on Education for the 21st Century (ICE2017), hosted by the Ministry of Education, Thailand and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).
Through this brief presentation, I will provide a helicopter view on the World and South East Asia, SEA, when digitalisation is penetrating education. And raise the question: Could ambitious benchmarks be established for the 11 SEA countries and the cooperation among them?
Tahseen Consulting’s Work on Knowledge-based Economies in the Arab Word is Ci...Wesley Schwalje
The United Nations University’s Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology cited Tahseen Consulting's Wes Schwalje's research on knowledge-based economies in analyzing knowledge transfer in the MENA countries.
Women Wanted: Attracting Women to Technical Fields in QatarWesley Schwalje
Over the past several decades Qatar has dramatically reformed its education and training system to align it with macroeconomic policies aimed at advancing towards a knowledge-based economy. However, technical vocational education and training (TVET) has not been a significant focus of educational reform. Though the need for a technically trained labor force was recognized by policy makers in Qatar as early as the 1940s when Qatar began exporting oil, dedicated TVET institutions began to emerge only in the late 1990s with establishment of several postsecondary institutions, two secondary institutions for boys, government-run training academies, and the emergence of a private training market.
Tahseen Consulting’s Wes Schwalje Leads Panel on Female Retention in the GCC ...Wesley Schwalje
Schwalje outlines 5 key challenges that GCC countries must overcome to keep women in the labor force
One of the most widely reported challenges that GCC countries and companies now face is the retention of highly qualified female employees. Retention can be particularly problematic as women try to strike a balance between familial responsibilities and succeeding in the workplace. Schwalje asked the panel to reflect on five key challenges: overcoming social perceptions about occupations traditionally dominated by males, implementing female-friendly workplace policies, enabling work-life balance, developing family-friendly facilities, and articulating clear career trajectories for women.
Panel members included Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Khaled Al Khudair, Founder, Glowork, and Deborah Gills, Chief Executive Officer, Catalyst. A copy of Tahseen Consulting’s analysis supporting the criticality of addressing the five panel focus themes is below along a with video that captures Schwalje’s thoughts on the way forward.
Cities presentation for WordCamp Montreal, June 30, 2013. There is a spectacular lack of accessible WordPress themes. Accessibility practitioners from around the world are creating free accessible WordPress themes. The themes will be available in the WordPress.org Themes Directory.
Part 1 in a series of "Lunch & Learn" Presentations I'm pulling together to help improve our collective presenting / public speaking skills.
If you've found this presentation, I would love to hear any feedback, tips, tricks, advice that you might have on the subject.
Posisi dan peran agama sebagai spirit, energi dan motivasi yang melahirkan ide-ide, gagasan-gagasan dan perilaku budaya bangsa yang berkarakter dan bermartabat, meliputi dan menyentuh seluruh dimensi kehidupan. Di sinilah tugas berat kita sesungguhnya, karena hampir semua persoalan bangsa ini. dapat dihubungkan dengan masalah lemahnya pembinaan mentalitas, rendahnya religiusitas dan moralitas, dan belum memadainya pelayanan keagamaan yang nota bene menjadi tanggungjawab aparatur di lingkungan Departemen Agama
The Onestival calls for Youth Empowerment through Creative Learning and Online Competition through Art and Filmmaking and ultimately leads to a Film and Visual Media Festival.
Stemming from the essence of the Egyptian Revolution, the Onestival beats through the heart of Social Media in a creative, artistic and passionate infinite ripple.
The Onestival leads, aligns and integrates all efforts at the individual and institutional levels towards the reconstruction of Egypt with a solid commitment that will, once again, inspire the world.
The Arab world is enlisted at the end of nations in the field of scientific research. The very low ratio of sharing the world's scientific research
accompanied by low quality affected the Arab nation deeply in various aspects of life. Arab countries must start fundamental reform
processes in the scientific research field. It is an investment in the future. As a cornerstone of development, improving educational standards
represent a fundamental step in the reform and change process, and thus must hold a priority position in states’ agendas. Arab
universities resemble the place of scientific research. In this study, we are looking into the reasons for this shortage after identifying and
explaining the current situation of Arab universities and their outcome of scientific research by exposing them to figures. The study is trying to
answer some questions. Do Arab universities have the opportunity to achieve advancement in the future? How can Arab universities
maintain their development? According to the findings, the researcher submits some recommendations and proposals.
Keywords: Problem, Science, Investigations, Arab, Country
The 28th African Union Summit declared “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investments in youth” as its theme, which connects the “Agenda 2063” that offers a comprehensive development vision for Africa. Regardless, African youth faces numerous challenges and opportunities in the fields of skills training, technology, entrepreneurship, agribusiness, advocacy, and political involvement. Hopes that Africa’s dramatic population bulge may create prosperity seem to have been overdone. It is time for development economists to look beyond the stylized facts to the dire realities of Africa’s frustrated youth and burgeoning informal economies. Although development economists talk about a demographic dividend for the continent of Africa, however, what the continent has now is not a ‘dividend’ but a youth population ‘bulge’.
https://crimsonpublishers.com/mcda/fulltext/MCDA.000579.php
For more open access journals in Crimson Publishers please click on link: https://crimsonpublishers.com
For more articles on journal of agronomy and crop science please click on below link: https://crimsonpublishers.com/mcda/
The latest version of this report explores various dimensions of social media usage including penetration, growth rate, demographics, social inclusion and citizen engagement
Launch of the Africa's Youth voice Network - United Nations Office of the Sp...Christina Parmionova
To take place in a hybrid format under the theme "Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today: Fostering Youth's Ownership for Africa's Future-Ready Leadership," the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) is organizing a launch event of "Africa's Youth Voices" (AYV), a network the Office will coordinate to ensure African youth's perspectives are embedded in its policy analysis, advisory and advocacy activities.
Education in North Africa- Hammamet Conference Jamaity
The situation in each country of North Africa is
unique, but nonetheless has much in common
with its neighbours. What is clear, looking at
Great Britain and its own educational reforms of
recent decades, is that we too have much in
common with North Africa – more, perhaps
than we realize, disguised by differences of
history, development and wealth. The
massification of Higher Education, the relentless
quest for quality with limited means, the
development of sophisticated techniques for
orientating students to careers and the job
market, life-long learning, the teaching of
reading skills, the design of innovative
inspection regimes, the teaching of English to
non-native speakers – all these are potential
overlaps.
This study examines adult basic education in the 21st century world. The study identifies a new paradigm in response to global changes particularly concerning employment. Preparation for additional training as the basis for basic education for adults in the 21st century. The study also indicates that there is relationship between literacy, environment and development by Ephraim Wordu 2020. Re-thinking adult basic education in the 21st century . International Journal on Integrated Education. 3, 11 (Nov. 2020), 227-230. DOI:https://doi.org/10.31149/ijie.v3i11.1041. https://journals.researchparks.org/index.php/IJIE/article/view/1041/989 https://journals.researchparks.org/index.php/IJIE/article/view/1041
iSee a revolutionary call to begin seeing "Reality" of you and others
This is the visual presentation so it is a glimpse
Full presentation with notes o be shared soon
iSee is a part of the i project
Created, developed, designed and presented by Master Trainer Bayan-Sophia Mohammed Walid Qteishat Al Hussain
Thanks to artists like Michael Jackson and Ricky Martin who transcended boundaries and blocks to create a brighter "Bigger PIcture"
The Holistic Rebirth Workshop
When: Sep 25th, 26th,& 27th 2014
Where: Maadi / Cairo – Egypt
This document includes the following:
- Main Objectives
- Main topics to be covered
- Methodology
- Main Benefits
- Main Ideator & Facilitator
- Speakers of Honor
- Fees & Registration
Main Objectives:
- How to just “Be”
- How to let go
- Who are you?
- What is your Identity?
- The Secrets of the Secret
- Y.O.U. Your Own Universe
- The Scale of Justice
- SOL
- The Symphony, Song,
- Script of Your Life
- The Alchemy of Oneness
- The Matrix of Your Mind; Your Life
- Life Mapping
- Inception & Symbolism
- From Intention to Manifestation
- What kind of meditation do you need?
- Karma & Dharma
- The Alchemy of Oneness
A powerful pilgrimage that dives in the deepest areas of your soul, lifts the veils of The challenges and pains to reveal the lessons behind them. Sets the compass of your life towards your soul’s purpose, and equips your ship with the necessary tools to know how to adjust the sails.
Main topics to be covered:
- Individual and Collective Energy,
- Quantum Physics
- Analytical and Behavioral Psychology
- Symbolism
- Yoga and Meditation
- Sacred Music and Geometry
- Western, Jyotish , Lal Kitab and Arabic Astrology
- Numerology
- The Science of Al Jafr
- Kabbalah
- The Grand Cardinal Cross (New World Order)
- Sacred Texts references
- Life Mapping
Methodology:
- Simulations
- Drama and Music
- Group Exercises and Activities
- Gamification
- Speakers of Honor
Participants will be able to develop thorough understanding, awareness and consciousness for a full Holistic Rebirth.
Main Benefits:
By the end of the workshop (including the One-on-One Coaching Session) participants will:
- Develop a quantum leap in their awareness and ascend to higher levels of consciousness
- Would develop their own “Life Map” manual including all the information they find out about themselves,
a. Astrological map (Western. Jyotish and Lal Kitab)
b. How to balance their planets
c. Archetype
d. Sacred higher self
e. Soul mission
f. Career or Work Compass
g. Identified blockages
h. Spotted dark shadows
i. Soul mate resonance
j. The Musical “Pattern” of the trends of their lives
k. Their name meaning, numerical and
esoteric value according the science of
Al Jafr, Numerology, Kabbalah and others
l. How the “Grand Cardinal Cross” and
the New World Order is affecting and the
mechanisms to know how to balance and
harmonize
m. Would develop the knowledge and the skills of
How to enter portals of their consciousness for
“Inception” and how to use Symbolism
n. How to manage the “Purification” and the
“Healing” Process
- Would have in-depth knowledge of the Matrix of
the mind and how it created and shapes their reality
- Would awaken their witness and unlock their full potential
- Would empower their “Associa
Elmeedan - Where Dreams Come True
The First Social Network for Starting, Backing, Funding and Growing Projects.
In Elmeedan everyone UNITES to develop ideas into projects:
Celebrities become Ambassadors
Professionals become Mentors and Coaches
Help becomes online learning courses and live creative learning sessions
YOU can have backers for your project as volunteers, or as partners
Instead of waiting for one or a few entities to fund your project you can have everyone funding your project through crowd funding.
www.elmeedan.com
The Nuclear Media Weapon: The Case of Creating Mr. and mrs. islamophobiaBayan Waleed Shadaideh
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been challenged by a new weapon of nuclear nature; manipulative media, which has been continuously invading the security and freedom of almost all humans beings. Harold Printer has focused on using this media as a political strategy for the interest of the West in his Nobel Piece Prize acceptance speach in 2005. This article tackles this pivotal issue and focuses on the creation of two figures Mr. and Mrs. Islamophobia, and the impacts and consequences both sides of such manipulation suffer from.
One of the most prominent outcomes of the financial crises is the emerging new class of poverty, the people who represented the “wellbeing dream of development” are now poor, and they are mainly Young, Educated and Unemployed!
Though it is without any doubt their right to have their basic human rights attained, they remain framed in a new category of poverty that makes them as they themselves have described it to be “Invisible”.
Jordan-U.S. Investment and Trade Forum: Washington DC, April 19 • New York, A...Bayan Waleed Shadaideh
Under the Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Economic and Commerce Bureau of the Embassy
of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and The Jordan Investment Board in cooperation with the U.S.–Jordan
Business Alliance and in strategic partnership with Business Council for International Understanding are
organizing the Jordan–U.S. Investment and Trade Forum road show that will commence in Washington DC on
April 19th, stop in New York on April 21st and conclude in San Francisco on April 23rd, 2010.
Students, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptxEduSkills OECD
Andreas Schleicher presents at the OECD webinar ‘Digital devices in schools: detrimental distraction or secret to success?’ on 27 May 2024. The presentation was based on findings from PISA 2022 results and the webinar helped launch the PISA in Focus ‘Managing screen time: How to protect and equip students against distraction’ https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/managing-screen-time_7c225af4-en and the OECD Education Policy Perspective ‘Students, digital devices and success’ can be found here - https://oe.cd/il/5yV
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Chapter 3 - Islamic Banking Products and Services.pptx
The Arab Education-Quake
1. The Arab Education-Quake
A Holistic Creative Strategy to Transcend Gaps and Take Quantum Development Leaps
Bayan Shadaideh
The status of education in the Arab world is currently echoing an alarming siren. Though there have been
several notable achievements and many reforms in public policy, they mainly fall under the “engineering”
of education and fail to develop the educational tool for freedom and development. For the Arab world to
be able to catch up with the knowledge revolution and succeed in creating a strong knowledge society, it
needs to develop a holistic creative multi-player solution to transcend the eminent gaps and take quantum
development leaps.
2. The Arab Education-Quake
A Holistic Creative Strategy to Transcend Gaps and Take Quantum Development Leaps
The status of education in the Arab world is currently echoing an alarming siren. Though there have
been several notable achievements and many reforms in public policy, they mainly fall under the
“engineering” of education and fail to develop the educational tool for freedom and development.
For the Arab world to be able to catch up with the knowledge revolution and succeed in creating a
strong knowledge society, it needs to develop a holistic creative multi-player solution to transcend
the eminent gaps and take quantum development leaps.
In this paper I will depict the educational scene in the Arab world, highlighting the most dangerous
current challenges, spot the light on the achievements that have taken place so far, and accordingly
propose an effective solution that integrates all related pillars and the missing links considering the
successful model of the European Union’s Creativity and Innovation strategy.
Introduction
“Arab countries missed the industrial age and continued to import most needed machinery and
products from others. Similarly, they missed the nuclear age and did not contribute to unlocking the
secrets of the atom or the peaceful uses of radiation. The space age also passed with little notice in the
Arab region. It behaved as a spectator of a sport who does not know the rules of the game. Arab
leaders believed that expenditure in scientific research was a luxury that only rich countries could
afford.”1 Said Dr. El- Baz2 in his Reform in Arab Countries: The Role of Education
In the introduction of the Arab Knowledge Report 2009 the purpose was narrated with passionate
adamance to establish the Arab Knowledge Society. “The Report’s conception of knowledge has been
broadened to include the spirit of knowledge, and thus its enlightenment and development dimensions.
In doing so, it seeks to transcend those views of knowledge that emphasize technological and
quantitative indicators, overlooking the fact that knowledge is freedom, and as such a path that
requires further honing of the creative mechanisms of human intelligence.”3
The report succeeded in identifying the obstacles that stand in the way for the awaited Arab
Renaissance and to building the Knowledge society, “These challenges include illiteracy,
appropriateness of educational systems to serve development plans, science instruction with greater
openness to the fruits of contemporary scientific knowledge in its various specializations, the
relationship between education and the market (the need to link educational systems to the
development requirements of Arab societies), and the relationship between education, unemployment,
1
Reform in Arab Countries: The Role of Education http://www.strategicforesight.com/iwforum/farouk.htm
2
Dr. Farouk El-Baz, member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, is Directo r of the Boston University Center
for Remote Sensing and a veteran of the golden age of the Apollo space program
3
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
3. and job opportunities (placing education at the service of production and the expansion of choices).” 4
of which I will be expanding upon here-below.
The Arab Education-Quake
With the many qualitative and quantitative problematic blocks that were found in education in the
Arab world, one can easily see the gaps shake the whole foundation of education and development,
especially that though there has been noticeable development in certain areas, the overall output
portrays a dark image for a nation that once used to pioneer education.
“How can these countries possibly build a knowledge economy if the rate of upper secondary school
enrolment is less than 55 per cent for both males and females at a time when this rate exceeds 80 per
cent in industrialized developed nations and the countries of Central Asia? ”5
When we consider primary school enrolment we find that “The statistics on net primary school
Enrolment rates show that only four Arab countries approach the saturation point (95 per cent and
above) according to this criterion, eight countries range between 80 per cent and 94 per cent, and
six–Djibouti, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Yemen (and Saudi Arabia) 12 fall below this, with
Djibouti showing a rate of less than 40 per cent. We should note, too, that only two countries
(Bahrain and Tunisia) have attained the saturation point for female enrolment. These figures
clearly reflect large disparities among Arab states.”6
A fact that we can’t disagree on is that “nine million children in the Arab region are out of school”. 7
“A study on the time allocated to school subjects in basic education in Arab countries during the last
decade shows considerable variation between these countries in the ratios of class time allotted to
religious education and foreign language instruction, a moderate variation in the class time
dedicated to science and technology, social studies, the arts, and physical education, and general
conformity in the amounts of time allotted to Arabic language and maths instruction.”8
The only area that was conforming with the rest of the world was “maths instruction (about 16 per
cent) (UNDP, 2007a, in Arabic)”. However, when a “study on the performance of eighth-graders in
maths and sciences in 2003 (UNDP, 2007a, in Arabic), in which ten Arab countries took part,
aroused considerable dismay in Arab educational and political circles. In maths, the students from
Arab countries that participated in this study ranked noticeably lower than the overall
international average. They were in the company of students from ten other countries, mostly from
sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.”9
4
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
5
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
6
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
7
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
8
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
9
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
4. “The results of a 2003 study Arab countries also ranked at the bottom (coming in at between thirty
eighth and fifty-first place out of fifty-two countries) in the science test. Again, the results were
significantly lower than the international average, with the exception of Jordan which, with results
equivalent to the global average, ranked thirtieth.”
Now we turn our attention to higher education which was found to suffer from shortage of teachers
“In 2005, the student-teacher ratio was 25:1, compared to the global average of 16:1. The Arab
student teacher ratio is the highest among all regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa.
Taking the global average as the norm, we find that, in 2005, the Arab region needed some 154,000
additional members in its educational staffs. This signifies that the higher education system in the
Arab region does not ensure sufficient human resources with higher academic qualifications,
especially doctoral degrees, to meet the needs of its teaching staffs autonomously”10
The educational system fails to equip students with the necessary skills for the workplace
tremendously “Executives cite the lack of qualified personnel as the largest obstacle to innovation
in the region. Despite high levels of unemployment -- and this indicates a clear mismatch between
what schools supply and what the markets demand – demographic challenges loom large. With 35
percent of the population under the age of 15, Arab economies must create 100 million new jobs by
2020.”11
“In Egypt, it is estimated that each year about 600,000 youth leave school chasing 200,000 available
jobs. Yet, employers still complain that they cannot hire adequately trained youth. Indeed, thirty
percent of firms in the most recent investment climate assessment (ICA) identified skills and
education of available workers as a major or very severe constraint to their operations and
growth.”12
There are several other issues that further illustrate the painful scene like the hemorrhage of brains
across all sectors, extreme high unemployment rates, lack of creative and artistic production and
others that need to be integrated as constituents in the big picture, but were not expanded upon for
brevity purposes.
Engineered Achievements
Though there is evidently a lot to work on to develop the knowledge society and strategically invest
in the Arab human capital, there have been some considerable and celebrated achievements that
ignite the hope machine.
The development of expansive and reliable sources for data and information such as the Human
Development Report 2003 and Arab Knowledge Report 2009 by UNDP surely provide us with tools
10
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
11
A NEW MILLENNIUM OF KNOWLEDGE: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARAB WORLD
12
YOUTH.AN UNDERVALUED ASSET: TOWARDS A NEW AGENDA IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
5. to first and foremost recognize the status of the Arab world, which is the number one step to move
forward.
A lot of effort has been invested in several areas that gave rise to numbers and statistics however
not with a set comprehensive long-term strategy “Establishing equitable access required an
accurate mapping of educational demand and the installation of buildings, teachers, and
pedagogical materials. Demand was simple, predictable, and stable. Education systems were geared
to ensure that everyone received the same educational service, and thus education management
was essentially an exercise in ensuring that all component inputs remained in place and met
uniform standards.”13.
Multi- Players needed, Creativity to transcend
What everyone has been asking for in the most renowned studies published is having an inclusive,
multi-player strategy that is creative, innovative and holistic. Here by are some examples;
“There must be a sustained partnership between the governments, private sector and civil society.
Educators, intellectuals and the media can work together to assure such a partnership.”14 Dr. El Baz
“We agree that we need change, we know what the problem is, we know what we want to reach,
where we want to move to. It’s all outlined very well. What we don’t know is how do we start that
process?”15 Amr Gohar
“And, at this stage, you have to create public-private partnership scenarios in order to get the best
out of both worlds, government with the facilitation of the procedures and laws to excel
entrepreneurship, for instance, and the flexibility of the private sector to embrace new
entrepreneurs to provide mentoring, to stimulate more small ventures and small and medium
enterprises coming out to put seed capital into companies to start to create venture capital
mechanisms.”16 Rami Khaoury
“A multi- sectoral, inclusive, youth-centered approach toward existing sectors and programs is
required”17
In conclusion it is translucent that everyone agrees on almost the same thing, what we need is to
develop the methodology for implementation to be able to move forward.
To have a Strategy that is holistic enough to encompass the respect and commitment for the revival
of the enlightened Arab Culture, motivates all concerned entities of the society (Government, Public
13
The Road Not Travelled: Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa.
14
Dr. Farouk El-Baz, Reform in Arab Countries: The Role of Education
15
At The Brookings Institution’s A New Millennium of Knowledge: Human Development in the Arab World, Washington, D.C. 2008
16
At The Brookings Institution’s A New Millennium of Knowledge: Human Development in the Arab World, Washington, D.C. 2008
17
Youth, An Undervalued Asset: Towards a New Agenda in the Middle East and North Africa
6. Private Partnerships, NGOs, Artists, Philanthropists, etc.), transcends time and boundaries, an
ignites the passion of commitment across all sectors related to developing the Arab Knowledge
holistically.
This strategy therefore has to be a creative strategy that glues the gaps and strengthens the links of
the main pillars of the Arab Education temple.
“In recent years there has been a growing understanding of the role of creativity in human capital
development. This has also increased the promotion of creativity within education systems. The
development of creative thinking underpins two important global strategies: sustainable ecological
development and national economic competitiveness. Both strategies depend on the creative
capital of nations and are therefore directly linked to education systems’ power to address risk-
taking, creativity and innovation at all levels of education.”18 Passi Sahlberg
European Union’s Creativity and Innovation example
The year 2009 was declared to be the Year of Creativity and Innovation for the European Union,
was mainly inspired by the challenges of the financial crisis, for apparently when there is crisis
creative thinking is the window of opportunity that opens to offer infinite solutions.
“Creativity and innovative capacity have crucial long-term benefits for the economy, society,
enterprises as well as individuals. Innovation and creativity are fundamental pillars for sustainable
economic and societal growth.”19 Ján Figel’, European Commissioner for Education, Training,
Culture and Youth.
The European Union has been orchestrating creativity and innovation across all its sectors, one of
the most successful has been Creative Life Long Learning.
Having a council of “Ambassadors” for the purpose, to foster and represent it, has encouraged the
representation of multi-players across the European society regardless of geography, which in turn
has turned the attention to the importance of having different and new diverse players, such as
Edward De Bono the father of Creative Thinking, another Ambassador was a well known Chef, an
Architect and so on.
Building the creative future with respect of the creative legacies was the needle the whole fabric
was sewed with, by having important featured programs and projects emanating from “Leonardo
Da Vinci “ and “Jean Monnet”. These in turn create bonds that transcend the disparities and unite
the society with creativity and artistic power that is employed for fostering all sectors.
“New knowledge builds upon historical knowledge, and most innovations are new combinations of
what is already there. Culture, with its respect for individual and collective memory, is important to
18
Creativity and Innovation through Life Long Learning
19
Creativity and Innovation Best Practices from EU programmes.
7. maintaining a sense of direction in the current context of restless change…..Creativity is a fundamental
dimension of human activity. It thrives where there is dialogue between cultures, in a free, open and
diverse environment with social and gender equality. It requires respect and legal protection for the
outcomes of creative and intellectual work. Creativity is at the heart of culture, design and innovation,
but everyone has the right to utilise their creative talent” Manifesto, European Ambassadors for
Creativity and Innovation 2009
This strategy encompasses all the identified immediate challenges, and if applied as an “example” it
would most probably lead to the aspired objectives for harnessing the Arab Human Capital.
Developing a committee with “Ambassadors” of Culture, Art, Academia and other aspects, with the
help of entities such as UNESCO and UNDP, to develop a holistic inclusive and creative strategy that
develops projects to serve the purpose, revives passion for knowledge through renowned Arab
Culture flags, and works on involving Governments, Public Private Partnerships, Professional
Associations and NGOs, and other players that enhance and add value to the process, would ripple
out to cover all addressed educational issues with creativity and innovation being in the center of
the circle.
It is important to note that this strategy has to not copy the European experience or be its replica,
for it has to have the zealous commitment for developing the strategy from within the Arab context,
however it is to be used as an example for a very successful methodology that is universal in
application.
Conclusion
The Arab knowledge society is almost impossible to be foreseen through the many gaps and crucial
challenges education is currently experiencing in the Arab world. Many researches and studies have
concluded that a creative and innovative approach is needed, a holistic strategy that will expand to
include multi -players of the society. The European Union’s Creativity and Innovation theme and
the process in which it was integrated across all sectors especially life-long learning has been
proven to be an excellent example, therefore benefiting from the experience in terms of developing
a holistic and creative strategy could be an effective tool to immediately embark on seeing light
through the cracks and begin working on the solution rather than the problem.