The grounds of development is one of the key elements to uniting people across the world in the midst of civilizational divides. It is also one of the most effective instrument for resolving conflict. As such, it is of top priority for the Middle East as it can lead to advancements in the societies within the region. Concurrently, in the United States, development has become more than a worthy cause. The grounds of development has a singular hold on the public consciousness in America. It is changing curricula in universities, languages being studied, what we see in the media and what we read. It has become a dominant concern of the United States government. Even though globalisation may have brought about certain negative impact, it has also united individuals and provided them with the tools needed to resolve some of the most urgent challenges.
Further, universities today gather individuals of diverse backgrounds as scholars and students. Close to twenty thousand students, representing over seventy nationalities and most of the world’s confessional groups are enrolled at the four American universities in the Middle East. They are studying medicine, pharmacology, architecture, modern communications, law, information technology, business administration, modern languages, economics, and government—all essential to improving development in their societies and integrating them into the dynamic world. They are learning to establish bridges, literally and figuratively. These students will be a part of the alumni network who are now occupying the highest ranks of their governments’ ministries and have become distinguished educators, physicians, poets and business leaders across the Middle East. Further, it is important to note that these universities not only provide leadership positions in the Middle East for the privileged students. A monumental amount of the operating expenses of the American universities is committed to scholarships and financial aid. In addition, it is remarkable that more than 50 percent of the chairs in the undergraduates courses at AUC are occupied by females; thereby demonstrating inclusiveness and diversity.
According to the United nations Development Programme’s Arabe Development Report (2202), Arab countries will not progress if one of their populations are uneducated. The American universities in the Middle East are demonstrating that the way forward by practicing gender equity and implementing innovative programs. Extension programmes are one key methods to provide education to the underserved populations. It also demonstrated that these universities are also an integral part of the social and economic network of the cities where they are situated. They are the push for development as producers of employment in teaching, administration and support services that preserve contemporary universities.
Join us in the upcoming QS-MAPLE 2019 from 25-27 February 2019 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as we discuss the topic on “Research in the Middle East and Africa: Overcoming the Barriers”.