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

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