Joelle Mesmar – författare

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.