Higher education in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) faces unique challenges while striving for greater international engagement. Key aspects include:
MENA lags in internationalization due to political instability, regional conflicts, and perceived lack of attractiveness for international partnerships. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues but also prompted "internationalization at home" initiatives using technology and innovative pedagogy.
Student activism, as seen in the "Arab Spring" uprisings, is driven by social inequality and limited economic opportunities. This highlights the connection between higher education and broader sociopolitical dynamics.
Ensuring higher education access for the region's significant refugee population is crucial. Initiatives like the Article 26 Backpack program, providing cloud-based storage for academic credentials, aim to facilitate educational opportunities for displaced persons.
Gulf countries, particularly Qatar and the UAE, host numerous international branch campuses, seen as drivers of internationalization and economic development.
Development is uneven across MENA, with Gulf states showing higher levels of internationalization and investment in higher education than other countries. This diversity necessitates context-specific approaches to education development.
MENA's higher education sector stands at a crossroads, balancing historical strengths with current challenges. Embracing comprehensive internationalization strategies, addressing social inequalities, and finding innovative solutions to regional issues are crucial for unlocking the sector's full potential.