REPORT ON HIGHER EDUCATION IN QATAR (Part in green3) - Research Paper Example

There are various student exchange programs conducted by UK universities that can be initiated at upper level so that people who are willing to study abroad are provided appropriate financial help (Coughlan, 2012). In addition to developments at private level, government organizations need to take steps to provide financial assistance to talented students. It is recommended that top ranked universities of UK enter into mutual projects with Qatar’s government so that they can restructure the educational system and increase the number of students getting enrolled in universities. Although some educational reforms have been started in its medical sector but that needs to be done in other sectors as well so that highly skilled and competent workforce is created (Nasser, 2012). Likewise, male students should be encouraged to avail abroad opportunities by allowing them to do job with their study programs so that they can earn money, support their families and enhance their knowledge and skill base. Some staff development programs are being reviewed so that people who have not acquired relevant information or lack some skills can acquire new ones and strive to get good positions in companies. In addition to these factors, there are certain programs that need to be designed in accordance with the requirements of Qatar education sector so that employability issues are resolved. Students’ Information in Higher Education Sector Supreme Education Council of Qatar is the main governing body of Qatar’s educational sector; the concerned authority asked RAND to undertake a year study for assessment of current opportunities available in higher education sector. According to UNDP (2012), majority of Qatari students go to Qatar University for higher education and number of students getting enrolled in universities that are private has increased to 800 in year 2009-2010 from 260 in 2005-2006 and technical colleges to 2,025 from 1,200 respectively. The number of students in Qatar University has fallen to 65% in 2009-2010 from 80% in 2005-2006. It is expected that in between 2011 and 2016, the number of students will rise up to the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.7% in Qatar and forecasted growth in higher education is up to 13.4% from 12% (ElGahnem, 2010). Lack of courses for meeting demands of current students Students in Qatar are struggling hard to get entry into higher education and some who even get admitted are unable to complete their degree course. Some of them are even not prepared to work in country’s labor force because their qualification is incompatible with demand and most of them lack proper soft skills. Even there is less information available about career choices. There are fewer options available for technical and vocational educations that hinder their paths to these areas of employment (Khodr, 2011). In order to boost the country’s economy, there is a need of well-designed science and mathematic courses but they are not meeting international standards and this area is of utmost concern for students as they want to prosper in this field. Courses unavailable for employability needs From the study of RAND (2012), it was found Read More