The ‘knowledge society’ in the middle east: education and the development of knowledge economies
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Transcript of The ‘knowledge society’ in the middle east: education and the development of knowledge economies
THE ‘KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY’ IN THE MIDDLE EAST: EDUCATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMIES
Dr. Daniel KirkMacon State College Georgia, USA
BACKGROUND
IIE 4th Global Education Report (Obst & Kirk, (Eds), 2010) Focus on role of innovation & education in
developing knowledge-based economies in MENA Aim to explore how countries in the region were
addressing education / knowledge production continuum
Moving from ‘segmented’ educational programs toward a ‘joined-up’ educational strategy
My question: what does a ‘knowledge society’ look like in the ME region
INTRODUCTION Knowledge Production: Driver of economic
development
National Development Plans in region draw heavily on educational discourse and practice
Definition of Knowledge is slippery concept
Notions of Multiple/Many ‘Knowledges’ (social constructivist model)
BUILDING A KNOWLEDGE CAPACITY Knowledge: transmitted traditionally through
basic formal and informal education
Building knowledge capacity among local citizenry is effective way to develop socioeconomically
Able to position national governments in relation to global structures of knowledge production
MIDDLE EAST AS A REGION Governments across Arab world embracing
development in terms of knowledge production
Recently seen popular movements calling for reforms, part of which education will play a central role
Progress toward knowledge societies slow: mired in regional and cultural considerations
Awareness of the benefits such progress would bring
Arab societies traditionally place high value on education: historical evidence of this
Must be aware that MENA is not the homogenous region it is often presented as
Such heterogeneity will support the develop of regional knowledges
Such differences will enhance efficacy of the process
CURRENT CONTEXT MENA: currently facing raft of social, political
and economic challenges
High profile aspirations and developments in some quarters: attracting global attention (e.g. self-branding of some Gulf states)
Western media fascination with regional issues / conflicts (Iranian posturing, Oil security, Israeli/Palestinian situation, Regional conflicts, Popular demonstrations and calls for reform)
Often placed in opposition to Western practices
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN MIDEAST Educational Infrastructure: Global to Local
UNDP reports: Catalyst for regional introspection
Arab Knowledge Report (2009) makes link between knowledge and education as economic and social driver
Educational development linked to social policy
Perception that Western credentials are key
ARAB HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT Knowledge-based society: “one where
knowledge diffusion, production and application become the organizing principle in all aspects of human activity: culture, society, the economy, politics, and private life” (p.2)
Such an all-encompassing understanding is problematic in terms of achievement
Needs to be linked to Human Capital and high-level educational attainment
THE ‘RIGHT’ CONDITIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT In region, conditions often far from ideal for
building capacity
Arab countries as a whole have some of lowest R&D funding (UNDP, 2009)
R&D spending: Global 1.7% GDP/ MidEast 0.2% GDP
Region: 1.1% global total of books published
Low rates of Literacy (particularly among women)
CURRENT POSITIVE TRENDS IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Some moves by individual states to overcome
issues toward development
Example: Saudi Arabia: substantial investment in education: 26% non-military GDP (Dunlop, 2010)
Example: Dubai: self-positioning as ‘educational hub’ for region
Social calls from citizenry for further investment and opportunities, linked to educational provision
REGIONAL DEMOGRAPHIC ISSUES Chronic under-employment with under-
utilized human potential
Young populations, demanding access to education and employment opportunities
Wealthy, Gulf States reliance on imported labor & expertise
Poorer regional countries suffer from exodus of youth – “knowledge deficit” (Al Shamsi, 2008)
REGIONAL BARRIERS TO DEVELOPMENT Quality and structure of education, not
access
Curriculum overhaul to promote knowledge production, not repetition
The Road Not Traveled (2008): educational structures need re-examination
THE WAY AHEAD Address low rates of literacy Closely align education with national
development aims Access to, and participation rates in schools
need to rise Promote education, beyond lower levels, to
FE Increase duration of formal schooling for
youngsters Address curricula to focus on high-order
thinking skills and 21st century workplace Retain youth to mitigate ‘brain drain’ and
economic loss through migration
REFERENCES Al Shamsi, M. (2008). The imbalance in the population structure and its impact on the states of the region. In, Arabian Gulf Security: Internal and
external challenges. Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 389-447
Arab Human Development Report 2003: Building a knowledge society. United Nations Development Programme. United Nations, New York, NY
Arab Human Development Report 2009: Towards productive intercommunication for knowledge. United Nations Development Programme. United Nations, New York, NY
Aubert, J. & Reiffers, J. (2003). Knowledge Economies in the Middle East and North Africa: Toward new development strategies. The World Bank: Washington, D.C.
Greater Middle East Partnership (2004), al-Hayat, 13th February 2004, retrieved from, http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/international/gmep2004.htm
Herrera, L. & Torres, C. A. (2006). Cultures of Arab Schooling: Critical ethnographies from Egypt. State University of New York, Albany, NY
Kirk, D. (2010). Global Reach, Local Need: The development and rise of the United Arab Emirates higher education sector. Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Leyne, J. (19 May, 2007). Dubai Ruler in vast Charity Gift. BBC news online, retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6672923.stm
Saudi Goes to Market. (2010). BBC World, documentary. Dir. Geoff Dunlop, broadcast 13th February, 2010
Starrett, G. (1998). Putting Islam to Work: Education, Politics, and Religious Transformation in Egypt. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA
The Road Not Traveled: Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa (2008). The World Bank, Washington, D.C.