The development of university education in the Arab States in light of future skills and professions

Introduction

  The UNESCO Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education strives to be “the reliable regional reference for education quality and excellence”. Our mission is to provide innovative services for improving education quality and excellence across the Arab countries, and introducing a leading impact through innovative systems, standards and measures, and sustainable regional and international relations. In line with our vision, we have undertaken a study on “The Development of University Education Programmes in Arab States: Preparing Students for Future Skills and Professions” to support the achievement of Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and its indicators in Arab countries.

   This concept paper summarizes the study and its annexes, which analyze the current state of university education programmes in Arab States in relation to future skills and professions at the regional and international levels. The study aims to identify gaps in practices and propose a framework for the development of university education programmes in Arab States based on global best practices.
Due to the Importance of Quality Education for Future Success in today’s rapidly changing world, there is a growing emphasis on the quality of education and its role in preparing students for successful careers. Higher education institutions in Arab States are increasingly focused on providing students with the necessary skills required by the job market and the keys to succeed and improve their quality of life after graduation. As such, it is crucial to have systematic planning in place for the development of university education programmes that effectively equip students with the skills needed for future professions in the 21st century.

   As the Centre seeks to support systematic planning in the development of university programmes in the Arab States, this study is designed to identify the status of the development of university programmes in the Arab States and ways to enhance them, thereby preserving their achievement of Goal 4 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals: “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”, at both target (4-3), which pays attention to and focuses on ensuring equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university by 2030, as well as the target (4.4) which focuses on substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship by 2030.

   As a response to supporting UNESCO’s actions to this end, RCQE is conducting diverse projects including the study on “the development of university education programmes in the Arab States in light of the skills and professions of the future”, the focus of which is:
1. To learn about the best international experiences and practices in the development of university education programmes in light of the skills and professions of the future.
2. Diagnosis of the status of Arab States’ practices sample study in the development of university education programmes in light of the skills and professions of the future.
3. To provide a proposed framework for the development of university education programmes in light of the skills and professions of the future in the Arab States.

   Within this context, the regional workshop is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the auspices and attendance of His Excellency the Minister of Education Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak to showcase and review the outcomes of the study and discuss the recommendations and proposals that can inform decision makers to take appropriate actions in their countries, and work towards their development. The study includes comparative experiences, and development of frameworks studied in an expanded scientific manner whose results can be relied upon in the development of university education programmes in the Arab States in light of the skills and professions of the future to provide solutions to the challenges they face. This opens new spaces for learning about different methods, which may be innovative and feasible, and which may contribute to their utilization in Arab countries, to develop their university educational programmes in line with the changes of the 21st century.

Objective

The main objectives of the study are:

1. To learn from the best international practices in the development of university education programs that prepare students for future skills and professions.
2. To assess the current state of university education programs in Arab countries and identify areas for improvement.
3. To propose a framework for the development of university education programs in Arab States in line with global best practices.

Workshop Agenda

1. Project objectives, methodology, and schedule.
2. Presentation and analysis of leading practices in the development of university education programmes for future skills and professions in different countries.
3. Presentation and analysis of the study’s findings in Arab States.
4. The proposed framework for the development of university education programmes in Arab States based on future skills and professions.

Participants

• The workshop will bring together experts, researchers, educational decision makers, academics, teachers, school administrators, representatives from ministries of education, national committees, and national, regional, and international institutions involved in promoting quality and excellence in education.

Workshop strategy

A one-day regional workshop will be held to review the outcomes of a project (development of university education programmes in light of future skills and professions) under the supervision of the UNESCO Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education in order to present a proposed framework for the development of university education programmes in the Arab States in light of global best practices commensurate with their realities. Qualitative interventions will take place and participants will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue and share different best practices. Invitation is open to specialists, experts and interested people.

Workshop language

The workshop will be conducted in Arabic and English.

Regulator

UNESCO’s Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education in cooperation with the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Outcomes

The main expected outputs of this workshop:

1. Explore shared perceptions of the status of developing university education programmes in the Arab States in light of the skills and professions of the future.
2. Identify and broaden the knowledge of best practices (regional and global) in the development of university education programmes in light of future skills and professions.
3. A pedagogical approach on the modalities of the application of the project’s outcomes to maximize feasibility in Arab countries.

Target Group

1. Representatives of ministries, universities, leadership bodies and those involved in the development of university education programmes, skills and professions for the future and the development of those involved in the educational process, measurement, quality and excellence.
2. Bodies concerned with the development of university education programmes in Arab countries.
3. Experts specialized in university programmes development.
4. Sample faculty.
5. Sample of undergraduate students.
6. Experts and interested people.

Invitees

1. UNESCO regional centres and offices.
2. National, regional and international organizations.
3. Ministries of Education of Arab States.
4. Universities in Arab and international countries.
5. National Educational, Cultural and Scientific Committees.
6. Arab States’ Education Calendar.
7. Relevant institutions and bodies.
8. Experts, specialists and interested people.