The economies of countries across the Middle East are both growing and diversifying. Leaders in government and business recognize the need for talent that can compete in the knowledge economy, and have made unprecedented investments in higher education.
New universities are being created from the ground up and respected foreign institutions are encouraged to open local campuses. Edwin Eisendrath, managing director in Huron Consulting Group's Higher Education practice, has advised universities around the world and has been actively involved in many of these groundbreaking projects in the Middle East.
Eisendrath says the difficulties in developing and maintaining a culture of excellence in higher education are not unique to the Middle East, but notes that there are specific challenges that must be addressed.
According to Eisendrath, "It's not enough to build state of the art campuses. Leaders have to focus on building the administrative and accountability systems that will help develop the human capital needed to maintain the current momentum."
He points out that universities need to build the supporting infrastructure that enables them to achieve their core academic, research and development functions. He cites examples in areas as diverse as research infrastructure, IT and institutional accountability for outcomes as areas of greatest need.
"Universities that get this stuff right will have an advantage in hiring and retaining quality faculty and in growing their reputations both at home and globally," said Eisendrath.
