The strategic importance of quality education in mena countries towards innovation-driven economies and entrepreneurial societies

Abstract

Purpose: Discuss the strategic importance of quality education as a determinant in the transformation process towards innovation-driven economies and entrepreneurial societies with reference to the case of Middle East and North African countries. Design/methodology/approach: The author uses a descriptive and analytical method, and draws from available literature and secondary data. Inspiring from his long teaching experience, he presents a critical viewpoint about the situation with focus oninnovation/entrepreneurship education in the Middle East and North Africa region. Findings: In general, education systems in the region are less practice and business oriented than those in leading Developed and Emerging countries. More specifically, gaps in innovation and entrepreneurship are very significant with regard to teaching, training, learning methods, post-graduate and research programs. Research limitations/implications:The study is broad covering the Middle East and North Africa countries, but conclusions apply to the great majority of them. Decision-makers in the education sectors are called to introduce the necessary changes as fast as possible in order to make teaching and learning an exciting and practically useful process to students themselves, the economy and society, at large.