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'Stem' steers growth of GCC nations

Dubai - Wise Education Summit in Doha to bring together educators from around the world.

As policy makers gear up to meet in Doha for an education summit on Tuesday, an expert has said knowledge-based societies are pivotal for the sustainable economic growth of GCC countries.
"The GCC's shift away from reliance on natural resources for sustainable economic growth is widely known. Many GCC economies are diversifying to knowledge-based societies," Dr Asmaa Alfadala, director of research at Qatar-based education platform World International Summit for Education (Wise), told Khaleej Times.
Dr Alfadala was speaking ahead of the November 3-5 Wise Education Summit in Doha.
Summit
The event will also bring together educators from around the world. This year's summit - which is being held under the theme "Investing for Impact" - is focused on the role education plays in economic development.
UAE speakers at the event include Tara Mahtafar, a policy specialist at the Abu Dhabi Educational Council (Adec); Dr Serra Kirdar, founder and director of Dubai-based Muthabara Foundation; and Wassim Hamad, head of public sector for LinkedIn - Mena.
According to Dr Alfadala, effective science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) education is vital to the future sustainable economic growth of countries in the GCC.
"Successful diversification depends on education systems that equip students with the transferable skills and attributes to become the rounded, globally competitive citizens needed to attain the new goal of thriving knowledge economies."
"As major companies have been established, the need for a solid, highly-skilled, globally-aware, knowledge-based workforce has grown. Education systems with a strong Stem element will play an increasing role in sustaining the region's economic prospects," said Dr Alfadala.
Integration
She noted that Stems curriculum should not come at the cost of other aspects of education. "Importantly, the rising interest in Stem education should not imply that the GCC countries place a diminished value on the study of the humanities such as history, literature, the arts, religion and other subjects," she said.
According to statistics from the World Economic Forum, the GCC countries collectively have one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. The International Labour Organisation estimates that youth unemployment across the wider Middle East will increase to 30 per cent by 2018.
Closing the gaps
A recent report from strategy consultants Partheon-EY - titled "Closing the Skills Gap in the GCC - highlighted a number of efforts to combat youth unemployment in the Gulf, such as providing young people with adequate career choice information and encouraging a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
"While these are positive steps, the fundamental truth remains that the region's future prosperity depends on ensuring that students have the relevant skills for employment in evolving economies," Dr Alfadala noted.
To improve Stem education in the region, Dr Alfadala suggested a number of steps be taken, including greater long-term planning on the part of GCC governments and an overhaul of assessment systems as a tool to improve local education systems.
"Most important, change in education systems requires developing understanding among all education stakeholders - educators, parents, student and the greater community - of the changing needs of today's global economy," she added.
"Society at large must embrace a shift in outlook that understands the vital link between economic opportunities and improved education systems and classroom practice. "Stem education plays a critical role in the future prosperity of the region."
bernd@khaleejtimes.comw