Education - Issue 01

1. The UAE’s primary and higher education system ranks among the top 20 globally

The labor market in the region is set to experience rapid changes, driven by the transformative impact of AI and robotics on the global stage. The UAE's focus on the quality of education is setting a precedent for other MENA countries, with its high budget spending in education and progress in gender equality in both education and work opportunities.

Why it's important: While advanced economies are grappling with the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, developing economies in the MENA have yet to address them. Investment in quality education is the only way for MENA markets to be prepared for this major and inevitable transformation.

2. Does our higher education system deliver the skills needed for today's workforce??

A survey conducted by Multiverse found that 58% of business leaders acquired their most valuable skills in the workplace, while only 27% obtained them during their degree studies. 67% of business leaders also expressed skepticism about higher education's ability to provide the necessary skills for the workforce of the future, highlighting the importance of on-the-job learning and the need for businesses to reconsider their hiring practices.

Why it’s important: Multiverse has brought to light rising doubts about the efficacy of conventional higher education in fulfilling workforce requirements. The survey results call for inventive educational approaches and initiatives that provide a more hands-on learning experience.

3. The Cost of Education in Lebanon

A study conducted on the education budget in Lebanon zooms in on the structural imbalance in the country’s educational system, its strategic vision and the interplay of partisan politics with educational policies. It was found that the total cumulative government and society expenditure, grants, loans, and in-kind donations in national education between 2011-2022 was nearly $43 billion. While spending is high, it has had a very low effectiveness on an increasingly regressive educational sector and it is also largely under-reported, a result of politicization, corruption, and lack of vision.

Why it's important: Understanding the findings of this study can aid key players in the country’s education sector to identify areas of improvement, navigate political dynamics, and advocate for reforms to enhance the quality and impact of education in Lebanon.