Understanding Higher Education Attrition in English-Medium Programs in the Arab Gulf States: Identifying Push, Pull and Fallout Factors at an Omani University

The study aimed to discuss Arab Gulf states in the global competitiveness index issued annually by the World Economic Forum during the period (2010- 2018) in terms of the economic efficiency index, and the efficiency factor of higher education and training economics. That is for the hypothesis claimed that there is an effect of the efficiency of higher education and training economics in Arab Gulf states on the economic efficiency considering global competitiveness index standards. The study analyzed the situation of each of Arab Gulf states (Saudi Arabia- Kuwait- United Arab Emirates- Oman- Bahrain- Qatar) in terms of the overall rate and ranking, and used first- degree mathematical equations with one, two and three variable to reach the result of the situation of Arab Gulf states regards the top-ranking countries and the backward ranking countries, whether in the economic efficiency or in the efficiency factor of higher education and training economics. The study used a mathematical equation to analyze the effect of the efficiency factor of higher education and training economics in Arab Gulf states on the economic efficiency, and came out with several results based on mathematical equations and economic aspects with regard to the efficiency factor of higher education and training economics in Arab Gulf states. The study found that the degree of impact of the efficiency factor of higher education and training economics on the economic efficiency in Arab Gulf states in light of global competitiveness index standards are considered medium to tend to rise, reaching (11.20%) out of (17%).

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Globalisation and Higher Education in the Arab Gulf States by Gari Donn and Yahya Al Manthri. Oxford: Symposium Books, 2010. 176 pp. $48.00 (paper). ISBN 978-1-873927-31-1.

Comparative Education Review ◽

10.1086/662007 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 488-490

Author(s):

Zeena Zakharia

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Gulf States ◽

Arab Gulf ◽

Arab Gulf States

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A Precarious Balancing Act

Contemporary Arab Affairs ◽

10.1525/caa.2021.14.1.113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 113-133

Author(s):

Seungah S. Lee

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Education System ◽

Higher Education Institutions ◽

Higher Education System ◽

Competing Interests ◽

Gulf States ◽

Arab Gulf ◽

Arab Gulf States ◽

Globalized World

This paper explores the dynamics between globalization and local culture in analyzing how higher education (HE) has expanded in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through internationalization. It contends that HE expands through internationalization in part because these Arab Gulf states use higher education institutions (HEIs) to legitimate themselves and gain prominence as internationally competitive societies in a globalized world. At the same time, however, these Arab Gulf states face push back from their more conservative, traditional constituents who criticize the state for “Westernizing” education. Hence, these states simultaneously pursue anti-liberal practices in public HEIs to manage state–society relations, enabling them to maintain both national and global legitimacy. This effort to balance what appears to be two competing interests creates a “dual higher education system.”

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