Higher Education in Saudi Arabia: Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities (Higher Education Dynamics Book 40)

This book provides the first academically rigorous description and critical analysis of the Higher Education system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and of the vision, strategies and policy imperatives for the future development of Saudi universities. The government of Saudi Arabia has recognized in both policy and practice the necessity of developing its university system to world-class standard. Significantly increasing access and participation in Higher Education across a range of traditional and non-traditional disciplines is directly relevant to the future social and economic growth of the country. This book addresses the way in which Saudi Arabia is moving to develop a quality university system that balances the need for students to gain the knowledge, skills and ‘ways of doing’ necessary to operate effectively on the world stage while simultaneously maintaining and demonstrating the fundamental values of the Islamic religion and culture. The book provides a description and critical analysis of the key components of the Saudi Higher Education system, and of system-level responses to the challenges and opportunities facing Saudi universities. It is written by a team of Saudi academics and authors of international standing from non-Saudi universities so as to provide both internal and external perspectives on all issues and to place information and ideas in the context of the international Higher Education scene. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Higher Education in Saudi Arabia: Reforms, Challenges and Priorities....Pages 1-12 Dreams and Realities: The World-Class Idea and Saudi Arabian Higher Education....Pages 13-26 Governance in Saudi Higher Education....Pages 27-35 The Learning Experiences of Saudi Arabian Higher Education Leadership: Characteristics for Global Success....Pages 37-47 Delivering High-Quality Teaching and Learning for University Students in Saudi Arabia....Pages 49-60 Assessment of Student Learning....Pages 61-71 The Role of Information Technology in Supporting Quality Teaching and Learning....Pages 73-82 Selecting and Developing High-Quality Academic Staff....Pages 83-93 Knowledge-Based Innovation and Research Productivity in Saudi Arabia....Pages 95-102 Accreditation and Quality Assurance....Pages 103-115 Higher Education for Women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia....Pages 117-125 Private Higher Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Reality, Challenges and Aspirations....Pages 127-136 Development of Medical Education in Saudi Arabia....Pages 137-149 Student Scholarships in Saudi Arabia: Implications and Opportunities for Overseas Engagement....Pages 151-158 International Collaboration....Pages 159-166 Challenges and Opportunities for Higher Education in Saudi Arabia: An Exploratory Focus Group....Pages 167-179 Higher Education in Saudi Arabia: Conclusions....Pages 181-190 Back Matter....Pages 191-194