The Emirates and the structural change of education
The structural change in the education sector in the United Arab Emirates, as the first decision taken after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took over the presidency of the country, proves the extent of His Highness’ interest in education, and it is not surprising.
On this basis, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, after consulting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him” , the formation of a new main structure for the education system of the UAE. Which included: the appointment of a new Minister of Education, a Prime Minister of Public Education and Advanced Technology and a Prime Minister of Early Education, and Among the key decisions taken was the restructuring of the Council for Education and Human Resources led by Hans His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to oversee a project of the Council. The future of education in the country to consolidate the national identity and meet future developmental, economic and social needs.
As these are the main reasons that have led to the structural change in the programs, it is necessary to shed light on some of the challenges that the universities in the UAE face, especially with regard to accreditation and publishing standards, as the university often only accredits its faculties from foreign bodies, specifically from the United States, as well as publishing standards.
Most universities do not accept any study for a university professor unless it is published in scientific journals accredited in a US database, such as SCOPUS. And this database depends on criteria that are not all compatible with the state’s educational goals and its national identity, especially in the humanities and social sciences.
There are many university professors in the United States who resent the control of an elite of progressives over these disciplines, who set standards of publicity and accreditation that aim to instill progressive leftist ideologies.
As long as one of the main objectives of structural change in education is to consolidate national identity and meet future development, economic and social needs, it is necessary to examine the standards of accreditation and publication, especially for the humanities and social sciences majors at universities. that they are compatible with these goals and not just copies of American and foreign standards far from the state road.
A Saudi researcher in political media