The Future of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia:
Challenges and Opportunities
Dr. Mubarak AlkhatnaiKing Saud University
The Outline
• Set the scene • Administrative issues • Institutional issues • Qualitative changes • Quantitative changes • Some Initiatives
The Context
• History • Education • Higher Education HE• Ministry of Higher Education MOHE and HE
Governance • Higher Education Institutions HEIs• Saudi HE and Change – Challenges and Threats – Opportunities and Trends
Why Higher Education? • The future of the university • Knowledge economy • Population demographics
– Changing student population • Market-demand • Public responsibility • International cooperation and recognition
– Global competition – Segregation of research and education market
• International accreditation • Technology impact and changing roles
Administrative Issues • Role of the university
– Traditional role – Teaching vs. research – University System (e.g KSU) – Global University (e.g. KAUST)– Cyber University (e.g. SOU)– For-profit University (private)– Comprehensive University Vs. Specialized– Single-sex university (e.g. PNU)
• HE governance – Governmental university – Regulation bodies – Accreditation and competition – International models of the university – University funding - endowments – Spending on HE
• Quality assurance
Institutional Issues • University model • Governance models • University identity • Workforce • Assessment • Student bodies • Strategic thinking • IT issues • Academic freedom • Conflict of interests
Qualitative changes • Drivers of change • Quality• Qualitative Enhancement• Delivery modes• Changing learning behaviors • Gender segregation • Faculty recruitment • Global competition • Societal needs • Market forces • Ethics
Quantitative changes
• Economy growth • Quantitative growth • Student enrolment • Student mobility • World-ranking• Knowledge expansion • Borderless resources
Case Study KSU
• Set the scene • Administrative issues • Institutional issues • Future directions
Facts:Oldest
Highest budgetLargest
Most accredited world 500/300
70,000 Students System
Teaching/research
Administrational: Governmentally appointed and run
Governmentally funded Endowments
Schools and colleges HospitalsStipends
Institutional:Technology
Collaborations Learning/teaching necessities
Forces of change:Economy Students Society
Change and resistance to change
Future:World recognition
Rankings
Envisioned Horizons and Time Schemes
• Budgeting and financing higher education• Identity • Pace of change • Institutional autonomy• HE governance• Alliance• Impact • Collaborations (academics-disciplines- sectors-institutions )• Opportunities and threats • Globalizations
Questions?
Credits