Engineering Education In The Arab Gulf States: Stagnation Versus Change

Abstract

The latter part of the twentieth century has witnessed an unprecedented economic, social, and technological change in many regions of the world. Perhaps, no region has experienced as dramatic a change as the states of the Arab Gulf region, referred to as the Arab Gulf States. These six neighboring states (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and The Sultanate of Oman) share common heritage, history, and language. Oil is the Region's most valuable natural asset and production and revenues have increased dramatically in recent years, most notably since OPEC price rise in 1973. Great strides since the early 1970s have been made in the provision of human services (health, education, and welfare) and in building infrastructures and urban sprawls, which are comparable in many ways, to those in North America. People's lives have greatly changed in the Region, and modernization and western technologies have found their way to every village, town and city within the six States. The educational arena has also been greatly impacted at all levels. University education has also had its ample share of growth, expansion, and proliferation. Many public universities were established in the Region between 1960 and 1985. Except for Saudi Arabia where the public university system is comprised of several universities, there is today, at least one public university in each of the five other states. When compared to Saudi Arabia, these five States are considerably smaller in area and population.

Benchmarking International Industrial Engineering Programs

“…IE programs in the Arab Gulf states have close ties, of course, to the oil industry, although some believe the ties should be closer and should include ties to other industries. 1…”

On the Competencies of Engineering Educators in the Arab Gulf Region: Relevant Thoughts, Current Practices, and Challenges

“…Initially, colleges of engineering were founded in Riyadh, Jeddah, and later in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. In the other smaller states of the Region, engineering colleges were founded soon after these states have gained their independence (12,13,14) .The strong political and economic ties between the States of the Region and some western countries-the USA in particular-has helped enormously in setting up, manning, and providing needed guidance to these fledgling institutions during their early years. The dramatic increase in oil revenues during the 70s, and 80s, coupled with lack of skilled professionals in areas deemed necessary for growth and development of oil-related industries of the Region, has been pivotal in the start-up of higher education in general and engineering education in particular.…”

On Potential Applications of Cooperative Engagement Methods in The Arab Gulf Region: Drawbacks, Challenges, and Expectations

“…Colleges in Egypt and Iraq were influenced, at the time of their establishment, by the British system of education. (6,7,8) Engineering education in the Arab Gulf States (the Region beamed at here) started, in earnest, during the early to mid sixties. Initially, colleges of engineering were founded in Riyadh, Jeddah, and later, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.…”

“…In the other smaller states of the Region, engineering colleges were founded soon after these states have gained their independence. (6,7,8) The strong political and economic ties between the States of the Region and western countries-the USA in particular -has helped enormously in setting up, manning, and providing needed guidance to these fledgling institutions during their early years. The dramatic increase in oil revenues during the 70s, and 80s, coupled with lack of skilled professionals in areas deemed necessary for growth and development of oil-related industries of the Region, has been pivotal in the start-up of higher education in general and engineering in particular.…”