Elias Baydoun – författare

This book focuses on two crucial issues that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by universities in the Arab region, namely (a) conducting independent assessments of the quality of their teaching, research, administration, governance, and planning; and (b) determining the relevance of their teaching, research, and societal impacts. Although well-established around the world in manufacturing industries and private-sector service industries, including the research and commercialisation arms of the major universities and research institutes, it is only in recent years that quality-assurance (QA) assessments have started to be applied to most aspects education. Several Arab universities are adopting various forms of QA but some variants are little more than bureaucratic “box-ticking” exercises with minimal commitment by staff to the ultimate aim of continuing self-improvement.

This book is the first major account of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Arab higher-education sector. It provides an update of the current situation and advances reasons for the under-performance of Arab universities in international ranking tables and the weaknesses of Arab economies. Specific proposals are made for upgrading curricula and assessment procedures as well as providing an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The roles of university-based technology and business parks are examined, with examples of successful business partnerships in the Arab region, Europe, and North America.

Opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship have never been greater with the wealth of rapidly developing transformative technologies that are driving the international knowledge economy.  This book puts forward proposals for the management and exploitation of intellectual property, and for establishing businesses. 

Countries aspiring to participate fully in the global knowledge economy require high-quality education and research that leads to innovation, entrepreneurship and development. In spite of the large number of institutions higher education institutions, the Arab World failed to capitalise in research and development. This book will examine the current position of university research and development in the Arab region, note the main themes, their international impact, and propose new directions. Crucially, it will examine the underlying reasons for the underperformance, including specific government research policies, university-appointment and governance processes to stimulate research, funding assessment and allocation processes, resource limitations, and public attitudes. By substantially upgrading the research component of Arab universities along with the quality of education generally, the Arab world will have the vehicle to transition into peaceful, stable, and members of leadingglobal economies. There are opportunities for inter-university cooperation and the establishment of regional university-linked research institutes with specialist facilities.

This book presents selected case studies from the Arab world on the universities responses to the pandemic. This book will look in detail at the priorities of the higher education sector in the post-COVID-19 era and the changes that must be adopted by universities and governments. These changes will allow the higher education sector to emerge from the crisis and build short- and long-term resilience.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has induced sudden changes worldwide by setting a global lockdown that has impacted all industries and sectors, affecting our daily lives and forcing us to adapt to a new normal. This book is the first major account of how the pandemic has shaken universities and higher education institutions in the Arab world today and tomorrow. Crucially, it examines the responses of universities to COVID-19, highlights their current position, and addresses the negative and positive outcomes. Has this crisis become an adversity or an opportunity forhigher education institutions? What are the pillars that will ensure the success of the Arab higher education sector post COVID-19?

This book provides a comprehensive insight into the benefits and advantages of adopting technology-driven learning as a central pillar of the universities’ teaching, learning, research, and social-responsibility strategies. Despite the importance of adopting technology-enhanced learning within higher education institutions, Arab countries are still slow to change. Arab Universities are facing the need to adopt new methods of learning to serve the demands of a changing demography in the higher education community as well as the requirements of Industry 4.0 and Society 4.0. E-Learning and distance education are not just about technology, but they are about education, pedagogy, curriculum design, research, and innovation. The book also discusses the best methods to implement these modes of learning while taking into consideration all the hurdles and challenges specific to the Arab world. The needs of students (undergraduate and postgraduate), faculty, and the university at large are considered while drawing on the best quality-assurance practices to ensure the quality of education remains uncompromised. Also featured in this book are experiences from Arab Universities and recommendations for improvements that facilitate the use of education technology tools as part the university’s pedagogy to harness the full potential for implementing e-learning and distance education.

This book provides a comprehensive insight and roadmap to accelerate the implementation of digital transformation (DX) within Arab Universities along with an understanding of the challenges that accompany such change. It explores the elements of DX in universities and presents case studies and experiences from Arab Universities along with recommendations that facilitate the use of DX in higher education. Within the Arab region, the potential for digitization within the higher education landscape has significant outcomes and impacts on the growth, progression, and development of this sector. Digital transformation allows universities to respond to change while fostering a student-centered approach and remaining relevant to the growing demands of the twenty-first century.  It also improves the universities activities such as teaching and learning, curricula development and implementation, processes, operations, support services, and infrastructure. This increases the university’s competitive advantage locally and internationally. Embracing and adopting DX requires a paradigm shift in a university’s strategy and culture.

The Arab world is home to more than 1,000 universities and in excess of 13 million students, and its higher education system offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. To continue our series of books on higher education, we propose that the theme of this 8th book should be “Higher Education in the Arab World: Digital Transformation” in universities. In a complex regional and global climate, this book provokes a rich exploration of ideas around the challenges surrounding this sector and how to address them.

This book provides an overview of the current state of universities in the Arab world, and how they have the potential to transform society to raise the quality of life and stimulate wealth. The main themes progress from general to the specific.  Each chapter providing an overview followed by factual analysis and options for the way forward.

All of the major challenges facing universities in general are addressed with reference to issues of particular importance in the Arab Region. The challenges faced include: the need to accommodate a social model of life-long learning; the desire for institutional autonomy while interacting with governments; the availability of open-access online courses and distance learning.

Arab universities are diverse, ranging from those entirely state-controlled and funded, to wholly independent private universities. The quality of governmental oversight is also variable, and some institutions are clearly unworthy of the appellation ‘university’.

The book comprises of 20 chapters authored by senior academics with a wide international experience and a commitment to assisting the improvement of Arab higher educational and research communities.