Regional
News
ISRAEL
Galillee
College Welcomes Palestinian and Jordanian Senior Managers
For the first time since the outbreak of the second Intifada in
September 2000, a group of 25 senior Palestinian and Jordanian officials
have begun teaching advanced management training courses at Galillee
College in Israel. Participants include senior public administrators,
university officials, faculty members, civil service managers and NGO
(non-government organizations) executives.
The program
is a joint effort between Galillee College and Harvard
University Extension School, and was initiated in recognition of the
public sector's role in promoting sustainable regional economic growth.
Lecturers include senior faculty members from both Harvard University
and Galillee College.
"Galillee
College has been cooperating with Palestinian and Jordanian organizations
since 1987 and will continue to hold educational and training programs
despite the difficult political situation," said Galillee President
Dr. Joseph Shevel. "When communication between governments breaks
down, we must rely on people-to-people meetings to build peace."
The Palestinians
and Jordanians study for two intensive weeks, in January and again in
April. In the evenings, Israeli families from Kiryat Tivon, where the
college's administrative offices are located, host the visitors at home
for coffee and one-on-one personal meetings.
—
Correspondence
from Galillee College
Jan. 22, 2002
Phony
Degree Scam Uncovered
The head of the Histadrut Teachers Union has been placed under house arrest
after it was discovered that he and his deputy had purchased false degrees
and used them to secure pay raises. The arrests followed the uncovering
of a scam involving ISE Co., which operated extensions of Latvia and Burlington
universities, and sold degrees for US$5,000 each.
ISE provided
grades and phony qualifications to more than 100 public officials, including
police and other civil servants, who are given wage incentives for earning
advanced degrees.
The teachers
union leader obtained a bachelor's degree from Burlington University and
a master's from Latvia. He is accused of acquiring the degrees fraudulently.
In the past
10 years, university extensions have multiplied exponentially in Israel.
Since 1998, institutions no longer have to obtain a license from the Council
for Higher Education to have their degrees recognized.
—
Jerusalem
Post
Dec. 11, 2001
KUWAIT
New Pan-Arab
School Established
The region's first pan-Arab open university is scheduled to open in Kuwait
in 2003. A Saudi development firm is funding the project, and British
Open University will provide technical assistance and accreditation
of degrees.
The new university
will be headquartered in Kuwait but will have branches in Bahrain, Egypt,
Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. At least 5,000 students are expected
to enroll for the first year, rising to 75,000 in 10 years.
Part of the
institution's stated mission is to provide education that will benefit
women who can study at home. This adds to the growing regional trend of
more women securing education and jobs. In Oman, for example, the number
of girls attending school has increased fourfold since the 1970s. Similarly,
in Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, more women than
men are enrolled in universities — although this is partly due to many
men from these countries going overseas for higher education.
Statistics
also show that the number of Arab women entering the job market has doubled
in the last 20 years.
—
BBC
News
Jan. 22, 2002
LEBANON
Few Arab
Students Leave U.S. to Study in Lebanon
Students fleeing the anti-Islamic backlash since Sept. 11 have been trickling
into Lebanon to continue their studies. Many Arab students in the United
States have reported being harassed and even physically attacked in recent
months. For example, a group of people reportedly cornered a young Saudi
student outside his Florida dormitory and beat him with baseball bats.
The number
of students leaving the United States for Lebanon, however, is far short
of the stampede predicted by the government. Shortly after the attacks,
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Harriri told universities in his country
to brace themselves for a massive influx of students fleeing the hostile
atmosphere against Arabs and Muslims after the terrorist attacks on New
York and Washington, D.C.
As of late
November, only about 30 Arab students, mostly from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait
and Bahrain, transferred from U.S. universities to the Lebanese
American University in Beirut. An additional 21 students, mainly from
the Gulf and from Lebanon, transferred to the American
University in Beirut.
—
Middle
East Times
Nov. 22, 2001
UNITED ARAB EMIRITES
Adult
Education Gains Popularity in UAE
UAE nationals who missed out on education are returning to the classroom
in greater numbers. A recent study conducted by the Department of Childhood
in Sharjah revealed that adult education programs have been attracting
growing interest in the last few years.
The report
shows that the number of students enrolled in adult education programs
increased from 2,420 in 1993-94 to 3,024 in 1996-97, representing a 25
percent increase. UAE nationals represented more than 55 percent of students
enrolled in these classes, and statistics showed that women outnumbered
men. Just over 61 percent of students were women.
—
Gulf
News Online
Jan. 1, 2001
West
Continues to Attract UAE Students after Sept. 11
Despite the backlash of Sept. 11, the West — and particularly the
United States —remains the major destination for UAE nationals seeking
higher education, according to Regency International Educational and Business
Consultancy. Regency conducts four educational seminars a year designed
to assist students and parents in applying for college overseas. Linda
Mann, Regency director, said she didn't expect more than 40 students to
attend the last of these seminars, and was surprised when 350 people turned
up.
The U.S.
Embassy in Abu Dhabi reports there are currently more than 2,500 UAE
nationals enrolled in U.S. schools, including 600 on government scholarships.
The other three most popular overseas destinations for UAE students are
the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
—
Gulf
News Online
Dec. 30, 2001
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