The puzzle continues
How can a country as rich as the UAE turn away citizens from higher education on the basis of lack of funds? It promises free education to all citizens, but doesn't fund it:
I'm not arguing that education is best funded and provided by government. But I am arguing that promises should be kept. And I am also suggesting that citizens should share in the oil wealth of the country.
"When the oil was priced at $8 a barrel the government had been offering generous incentives to students, now when the oil almost reached $100 a barrel, students are denied admissions due to shortage of funds. How come this happens in the UAE which is considered one of the richest countries in the world?" asked Ali Majid Al Matroushi, an FNC [Federal National Council] member from Ajman.There is a parallel issue with the quality of government provided primary and secondary education. It's not up to snuff.
...
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, admitted that the shortage of funds "forced us to turn down admissions of 5,000 students this year and the number will be even bigger next year, when the Higher Colleges of Technology will be forced to reduce the number of seats from 16,000 to 14,000."
Shaikh Nahyan warned if no action is taken, the situation is going to get worse and the country will suffer a severe shortage of human resources that will adversely affect the economic development. He urged the private and the public sectors and businessmen to join hands to resolve this problem.
I'm not arguing that education is best funded and provided by government. But I am arguing that promises should be kept. And I am also suggesting that citizens should share in the oil wealth of the country.
Labels: Best of EmEc 2008, Best of Emirates Economist, education, UAE government, UAE society
posted by John B. Chilton at 2/27/2008 08:36:00 PM
5 Comments:
Too true. And it goes beyond providing an education. The government is severely underfunding other things, like library materials. One of my colleagues at the library told me that the government had frozen the library's budget for ten years. Meanwhile inflation had driven the cost of materials through the roof, forcing us to cancel numerous resources.
Great post John.
I've been a regular reader of your blog now and find it quite resourceful.
I would like to take this opportunity to propose our intentions to endorse this blog and further develop it with our IT capabilities.
For reasons of confidentiality, i cannot provide my corporate email here, but would appreciate it if you could get in touch with me on hennicolas@gmail.com to further discuss this opportunity and its related parameters.
I know I would stop reading it if it is 'endorsed' by a corporation. Google blogger had adequate 'IT capabilities', wouldn't you agree?
On the post,
But those buildings must cost a fortune! they obviously have money to spend on computers and buildings.
Response to Dubai Entrepreneur:
Our 'endorsement' would merely include ways to develop and enhance the site's technical features, in line with the latest web 2.0 platform.
It would not have any influence on content, material or the proceedings of this blog, if that's what you're worried about.
And no, Google's blogger is a standardized application, for 'standard' use. Beyond its boundaries and for any enhancement efforts, you would need web developer input.
I think it should be noted that Sharjah continues to expand and invest a tremendous amount of money in University City; providing Emirates and international students with respectable degrees.
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