2.9: Culture (2) الثقافة
In this section, you will learn about:
- Higher education in Arab countries.
Higher education has witnessed remarkable progress and growth in Arab countries in recent years. Below are some essential facts about higher education in Arab countries:
1. Growth in Institutions: The demand for higher education in Arab countries has led to a significant rise in the number of public and private universities and colleges. This increase is attributed to factors such as population growth, government investment in education, and the need to meet the requirements of a globalized economy.
2. Diversity of Programs: Arab countries have a diverse range of academic programs available at their higher education institutions, spanning across several fields, such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), humanities, social sciences, business, and medicine. Additionally, many universities provide courses in Arabic and Islamic studies.
3. Quality and Accreditation: In Arab countries, measures have been taken to improve the standard of higher education using accreditation systems and quality assurance mechanisms. National accreditation bodies have been set up by a number of countries to ensure that institutions and programs comply with specific standards of quality and performance.
4. Language of Instruction: Most universities in Arab countries use Arabic as the main language of instruction, but there is an increasing tendency to offer programs in English. This trend is especially noticeable in areas such as business, engineering, and medicine, and it is driven by the desire to attract international students and improve graduates' competitiveness on a worldwide level.
5. Internationalization: Arab nations are making efforts to globalize their higher education systems by establishing collaborations with overseas universities, promoting exchanges of students and faculty, and luring international students by offering scholarship programs and reasonable tuition costs.
6. Gender Parity: Attempts have been made to enhance gender equality in higher education, as more and more women are enrolling in universities and pursuing advanced degrees in traditionally male-dominated subjects. Nevertheless, disparities between genders still persist, particularly in specific regions and fields of study.
7. Challenges: Arab countries encounter various hindrances in their higher education progress, which include financial limitations, obsolete pedagogical techniques, insufficient research production, the departure of brilliant alumni seeking opportunities overseas, and the requirement to adapt courses to the developing requirements of the labor market.
Overall, higher education in Arab countries is evolving rapidly, with a focus on expanding access, enhancing quality, and promoting innovation and internationalization to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The oldest continuously operating higher educational institution in the Arab world is the University of Al Qarawiyyin. It is located in Fez, Morocco, and was founded in 859 AD by Fatima Al Fihri, a Muslim woman. Over the years, Al Qarawiyyin University has provided education in diverse fields, including Islamic studies, sciences, humanities, and languages. The university is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest existing degree-granting university in the world. Interestingly, it predates other prominent medieval European universities, such as the University of Bologna and the University of Oxford.
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