Progress on a large scale is not an overnight phenomenon; it does take time and effort. However, the success of Dubai in terms of infrastructure development is quite astounding and the time taken to reach its current point is ‘an overnight success’ in terms of development of a Nation.
My words are chosen carefully as in the region Development of a Nation or Country is very different to National Development.
At this point, it is the National Development which is not achieving the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
National Development is the development of the nations’ people to fully contribute to its society via the Public or Private Sector. There is no doubt that the Emiratisation organisations are working hard to meet their goals and our leaders’ vision. There are undoubtedly some very good Emirati people in commerce; but not nearly enough.
The greatest concern is at the Grass Roots; from high school level leading to university. The simple fact is local universities (as opposed to International Universities based in the UAE), to which the majority of UAE National students gravitate, have lower entry requirements than their international counterparts.
If the input to a university is lower and the degree program is the same period as those in the US & Australia (4 years), how can the local output be of the same quality as the output internationally?
Unless the universities are working longer hours than their international counterparts or have significantly better faculty it is near impossible.
The obvious next question is; why is the input lower? The broad brush answer is again simple. The UAE national schools are not preparing the candidates well enough for either Higher Education or Employment. The standard of English & Mathematics at UAE National Public Schools is significantly lower than that in UAE National Private Schools and UAE based International Schools.
There are exceptions. However the general statement is valid. We would not have the same issues at University or Employment levels if UAE National children were better prepared.
Two solutions are required that meet at a defined point in the future. The first solution is the longer term plan for student development from 1st to 7th grade whilst the second solution is the short term accelerated learning for grades 8 to 12 plus school leavers. The solutions need significant focussed financial input; teacher quality, teacher remuneration, learning environments & duty of care over children to name a few.
The vision and drive that Sheikh Mohammed has shown deserves the best end solution.
Article by Steven Vanson, Director of Hotcourses Middle East, Education Consultancy and Training.
