Qatar's forward-thinking development and policy initiatives

Qatar Forward Thinking

Presently the Arab world has not been according high priority to reading ahead of the Holy Koran. Absence of significance accorded to the field of education, has resulted in the Arab world to fall behind the advanced nations in the sphere of human resources development. Presently in North America the Gross Domestic expenditure on research and development accounts for 2.5% of GDP while it is 2.3% in Japan, 1.8% in Western Europe, and 0.3% in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. In contrast to this in respect of the Arab world it is merely 0.2%. But in the Arab countries, developmental efforts have now being started to promote educational activities. This could be specifically be visualized in Qatar, where the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani has accorded high priority in revolutionizing this gloomy feature by laying emphasis on earmarking a considerable fraction of GDP to education. Along with his wife the Emir is devoted to the development of the arts and sciences and education of the younger generation by instituting the Qatar Foundation.

"Education City' is an innovative project based upon the philosophy that human resources are the most worthy resource of the nation. The emir firmly considers safeguarding its affluent culture and avoiding Islam being attacked by the intruders and for this the Arab world is required to lay stress on major investment in and to promote dedication to education. They feel that the soul of the Arab world can only be revitalized when it reconstructs the surrounding that prevailed about 1000 years before, at the time of golden age when Arabs and Islam thrived. While Europe was adversely affected by the impact of dark ages, the Arab world had seen a boost up of creativity, indicated by openness to knowledge and science. When the Arab nations like Qatar embrace Western educational values, the emir reasons, then the Arabs can safeguard their core religious, historical, and cultural values while at the same time encourage economic development and political restructuring. (Qatar's Forward-Thinking: Welcome to 'Education City')

In contrast to the Saudi model the lenience to other cultures and ideas is the foundation stone of this new education system in Qatar. The Qatar branch of Cornell Medical School will provide students of the locality as well as from the U.S., the opportunity to finish an educational program resulting in a Cornell University medical degree that is educated by Cornell faculty. The last tenant of Education City so far is Texas A & M. University, one of the leading engineering schools of America. The Qatar Foundation has signed a decade long agreement with Texas A & M. To infuse quality engineering education and research to Qatar. Such institutions and others to follow, demonstrate the emir's personal commitment to transform Qatar into a regional educational center, an incubator for generation of new thoughts.

It should thus be noted that the change that the Emir is bringing forth in a country which is being referred by the Qataris as a 'little speck' in this world is really commendable. No other country in the Arab world has ever made a successful attempt in the field of education so far and such an attempt in this part of the Arab world is to be congratulated. It is to be agreed with the Emir that people are an important asset of a country and a very low GDP for educational activities in the Arab world have led it to lag behind the West. By enhancing a considerable amount for educational measures, the Emir is thought to be on the right direction. It is clear that for sustenance of the economic progress and if the Arab world and particularly Qatar is to be revitalized then a long-term investment in the local population must the beginning point. Qatar has presently, started this effort. It is also the initiation of a revolution in the Arab world that renovates this effort. It is also the initiation of a renaissance in the Arab world that radically changes the region from extremism to moderation. Such conversion of the Middle East from the politics of extremism to moderation is regarded as the coveted attitude of America for the victory in the struggle against terrorism. The revolutionary efforts of Qatar in enhancing its investment in education may be the enduring offerings of this small but growingly significant nation in global affairs. (Qatar's Forward-Thinking: Welcome to 'Education City')