Varsities should be prepared for rising number of students: Expert

Manama : The increase in the number of students poses new challenges in the higher education sector, it was observed at the eighth edition of the QS MAPLE education summit, which focuses on excellence in university education. The summit is held in Bahrain for the first time.

“We need to ensure the university is prepared for this rise in demand,’’ the CEO of Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training, Dr Jawaher S. Al-Mudhahki said at the event.  While there are challenges, the increase in the number of students is a healthy indication, she added.  From 13mn students in 1960 to 262 million in 2012, the global demand for higher education has risen and is expected to double by 2025. She also stressed on the importance of evaluating private providers of higher education. “30% of students around the world are educated in private institutions’’ she said. To ensure universities are capable of evolving effectively, excellence in quality assurance, accreditation and ranking has to be ensured.

As the future will be dominated by technology, the education community should be prepared and special attention should be given for the development of education and training . “It is a good thing, but also a bad thing,’’ said Dr Al-Mudhahki. “Our life is attached to technology, we cannot live without it,’’ she said. Inconsistent teaching methods, mismatch in skills learned and labour market needs, dropout rates and ill-adapted programmes are among the challenges in higher education. The United Nations Sustainable Deployment Goals for 2030 also focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. “We need to collective work towards achieving this,’’ said Dr Jawaher S. Al-Mudhahki.