The need for a new science, technology and medicine University in the Middle East: Carving the future

Introduction

Though the Universities in the modern world differ from the past, however, the basic structures and functioning remain the same (University Alliance: Growing the future). In order to progress further, rather than being standalone academic institutions, Universities will need to become more integrated into the economy, with real commercial awareness and relationship management (The 2018 University: how ready is higher education to embrace the future). Currently, the majority of the Universities react to change, they work towards a solution when a problem is presented. However, it is argued that the Universities can take a more proactive role in charting a future for humanity and can become more effective partners in global development. This has been highlighted in various reports published by World Bank, UK’s Department for Business Innovation and Skills and by the Centre for Higher Education Research and Information at The Open University in UK. The development agenda could include working on specific challenges and goals, for example, solving HIV or global hunger or providing a business solution for a problem of global scale.

Vision

A Science, Technology and Medicine University in the Middle East with preferably off-shoot campuses in other low and middle-income countries (South and South-East Asia, Africa). The University will be producing human resource who could tackle the science and technology challenges in 21st century.

A University fostering collaboration between global South and North. An area in the Middle East (for example Dubai) could act as a global hub. The University can work closely with the international agencies, WHO, World Bank and UN.

What advantages would it offer?

In the Middle East (in UAE, Dubai, and Qatar), several large western Universities have opened their campuses. This is a good approach and would strengthen the quality of education. However, though these Universities are established institutions, their main mandate is to offer programmes and courses of their parent institute. The large majority of these universities are not meant to take up regional problems, local issues or global agenda. However, there are some exceptions such as Johns Hopkins University Programs in Qatar. This program was founded on the belief that social and behavior change communication (SBCC) is key to solve pressing health problems.

It is a known fact that the lack of think tanks and innovative Universities in the global South (developing world) have negatively impacted on leadership, generation of new ideas and bringing a positive change. Think tanks in many developing countries lack the financial and human resources to conduct in-depth economic analysis and carry out their tasks effectively (Endowments for Think Tanks in developing countries: What role for private foundations and official donors? High-level Seminar, OECD Headquarters, Paris, 28 April 2008). The Universities in developing world were supposed to play a pioneering role in addressing problems of poverty, social disorganization, low production, unemployment, hunger, illiteracy, diseases¹, however, these objectives are not achieved in the real sense. On the other hand, the gap in science and technology between developed and developing countries is growing at an alarming pace necessitating the need for innovative models for education. In this context, the initiatives like this could have a real impact and can become an effective partner for global development.

The University can work at several levels. It can synthesize the knowledge available at a global scale and provide themes, action points and active solutions to the problems. The University can also chart ways for the new programmes and courses and rather than just following a traditional pathway of teaching and learning, this University can create an agenda of its own. Please see Figure 1 on the University’s work, its’ key stakeholders and partners. The work could include but not limited to on the issues such as future of humanity, ecology, the outbreak of diseases, developing new medicines, climate change, food safety, artificial intelligence, etc

Figure 1. Key stakeholders of the University.

Here are the five core principles to build the foundation of the University:

• 1. As a driver for change: changing thinking, practices, developing new models to improve education and science

• 2. University with an impact: impact on society, lives of people, consumers, patients, systems

• 3. Global niche, design, scope, and vision: Education and research with an impact, to launch programmes which are vital but not being covered by other mainstream Universities

• 4. Bridging the gap between developed and developing countries

• 5. Providing sustainable education

Geographical areas to cover

The region, because of its global outlook and population could benefit from an independent Science, Technology and Medicine University. Dubai as its main hub, while opening off-shoot campuses in other countries (South Asia, and Africa). The reason to choose Dubai is its close proximity to large population centres in Asia (China, India) Africa and the Middle East. These are the areas where the majority of the world’s population live and the impact of any initiative of this nature would be immense. However, it does not mean that the similar initiatives are not needed for other regions, for example, Latin America, South America or for the Pacific.

The people and financial models: Call for action

The University can be managed by a multidisciplinary group with either a profit or a not for profit set-up. The University would be truly global in nature with a strong presence of expertise from low and middle-income countries. It could come up with a broad mix of people including professionals, entrepreneurs, and scientists.

There are different financial models which can be explored to build this University. This includes consulting and service models as well as expertise and capacity building in specific areas. Turning to investors and entrepreneurs, as well as to government and donor agencies could be some other options. The University can be built as, a public/private mix, or either as a not for profit company.

As institutions working on futuristic global issues are scant, developing such a University is vital. It would help provide innovative solutions relating to health, medicine, science, and technology as well as solving pressing problems and needs. The international agencies are in the best position to take this idea further.