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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 Kirk Macon State College Georgia, USA. background. IIE 4 th Global Education Report (Obst & Kirk, (Eds), 2010)

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The ‘knowledge society’ in the middle east: education and the development of knowledge economies

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  1. The ‘knowledge society’ in the middle east: education and the development of knowledge economies Dr. Daniel Kirk Macon State College Georgia, USA

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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)

  11. 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

  12. 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)

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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.

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