hedp yemen national strategy for the development of higher education in yemen higher education...

HEDP YEMEN HEDP YEMEN

NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER

EDUCATION IN YEMENEDUCATION IN YEMEN

Higher Education Development ProjectHigher Education Development ProjectMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific ResearchMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

20062006


Population (2005)Population (2005) 20 million 20 million Population under 15: Population under 15: 46.8%46.8%Population 15-24 : Population 15-24 : 22%22%Population growth : Population growth : 3.5% 3.5% per annumper annumIlliteracy : males, 28%; Illiteracy : males, 28%; females, 68% (64.4%, both sexes in 2005)females, 68% (64.4%, both sexes in 2005)General education : General education : 17.8% of State budget (21.2% in 2005)17.8% of State budget (21.2% in 2005)Increase from 2004 : Increase from 2004 : 18% 18% Higher education : Higher education : 2.82% of State budget2.82% of State budgetIncrease from 2004 : Increase from 2004 : 30%30%Area:Area: 527,000 square miles527,000 square miles

THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN: SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT


Natural ResourcesNatural Resources:: Petroleum, Fish, Rock Salt, Marble, Coal, and other minerals Petroleum, Fish, Rock Salt, Marble, Coal, and other minerals

Oil Production :Oil Production : (just under) 500,000 barrels per day(just under) 500,000 barrels per day

Natural Hazards: Natural Hazards: Very Little Fresh Water ; Dust stormsVery Little Fresh Water ; Dust storms

GDP 2005:GDP 2005: $ 9 billion (Thanks to high oil prices)$ 9 billion (Thanks to high oil prices)

Exports:Exports: Oil, coffee, cotton, hides, vegtables, dried and salted fish Oil, coffee, cotton, hides, vegtables, dried and salted fish

Imports:Imports: Textiles, petroluem products, sugar, grain, flour, other foodstuffs, cement, Textiles, petroluem products, sugar, grain, flour, other foodstuffs, cement, machinery and chemicals machinery and chemicals

THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN: SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT


Student NumbersStudent Numbers Number of studentsNumber of students in fact grew in fact grew

very substantially during the 1990s, very substantially during the 1990s, increasing more than five times - from increasing more than five times - from 35,000 to 178,500 in 2005-2006. 35,000 to 178,500 in 2005-2006. However this number represents only 13 However this number represents only 13 per cent of the 19-23-year-old population.per cent of the 19-23-year-old population.


Private EducationPrivate Education Although community college and technical institutions are Although community college and technical institutions are

available to absorb some of the students who are unable to gain available to absorb some of the students who are unable to gain entry to university, they take only very small numbers. entry to university, they take only very small numbers.

Even adding to these the 17,000 who attend private universities, Even adding to these the 17,000 who attend private universities, it is apparent that very large numbers of young people who leave it is apparent that very large numbers of young people who leave school and might have aspired to tertiary education are unable to school and might have aspired to tertiary education are unable to find places.find places.

[[With about 25% of the population, about 5 million people, With about 25% of the population, about 5 million people, currently studying in the basic education system, we see practical currently studying in the basic education system, we see practical alternative to accomodation EXCEPT through expansion of private alternative to accomodation EXCEPT through expansion of private

educationeducation] ]


This problem will become increasingly acute as This problem will become increasingly acute as more and more students pass through the secondary more and more students pass through the secondary school system, and put increasing pressure on the school system, and put increasing pressure on the tertiary education system.tertiary education system.

A major problem with the current arrangements is the A major problem with the current arrangements is the lack of diversity. Although there are non-university lack of diversity. Although there are non-university institutions, the very great majority of students in institutions, the very great majority of students in tertiary education in Yemen attend multi-college tertiary education in Yemen attend multi-college universities in one way or another. universities in one way or another. ..


EquityEquity The main equity questions that arise in higher The main equity questions that arise in higher

education in Yemen concern gender and the education in Yemen concern gender and the urban/rural divide. Only about 26 per cent of urban/rural divide. Only about 26 per cent of the university population are girls, and the the university population are girls, and the proportion of the urban population with proportion of the urban population with university education is more than seven times university education is more than seven times greater than that of the rural population. Even greater than that of the rural population. Even those women who attend higher education those women who attend higher education are, other than in medicine and dentistry are, other than in medicine and dentistry where their representation is strong, where their representation is strong, predominantly represented in the lower predominantly represented in the lower prestige and less economically valuable prestige and less economically valuable subjects of education, social sciences and subjects of education, social sciences and humanities.humanities.


The Millennium Development Goals target The Millennium Development Goals target a 1:1 ratio of female to male tertiary a 1:1 ratio of female to male tertiary education enrolment by 2015, whereas in education enrolment by 2015, whereas in Yemen at present the ratio is less than Yemen at present the ratio is less than 1:2.8. Nevertheless there is clearly a very 1:2.8. Nevertheless there is clearly a very significant political desire to increase the significant political desire to increase the participation of women and rural participation of women and rural populations, and this features prominently populations, and this features prominently within the “Poverty Reduction Strategy” within the “Poverty Reduction Strategy” and “Yemen's Strategic Vision 2025”. and “Yemen's Strategic Vision 2025”.

Attempts of the governmentAttempts of the government


The main weaknesses have been The main weaknesses have been elaborated above. The main problem elaborated above. The main problem impeding greater equity in higher impeding greater equity in higher education is not particularly a higher education is not particularly a higher education issue but a more general education issue but a more general one concerning society and society’s one concerning society and society’s values. Nevertheless, it is up to values. Nevertheless, it is up to higher education to do what it can to higher education to do what it can to address the question.address the question.


Study programs and outcomesStudy programs and outcomes As in other countries, Yemen has a particular As in other countries, Yemen has a particular

difficulty apparently in producing sufficient difficulty apparently in producing sufficient graduates in science, engineering and graduates in science, engineering and mathematics, and universities are dominated by mathematics, and universities are dominated by social science and arts students Only about 13 social science and arts students Only about 13 per cent of students at present study science, per cent of students at present study science,

engineering and technology.engineering and technology.


Common problemsCommon problems Although other countries share Yemen's problem Although other countries share Yemen's problem

with regard to the output of scientific and with regard to the output of scientific and technically educated graduates, Chart 6 below technically educated graduates, Chart 6 below indicates that the problem is more acute in indicates that the problem is more acute in Yemen than elsewhere. Moreover, whereas most Yemen than elsewhere. Moreover, whereas most other Arab countries have a high number of other Arab countries have a high number of students attending technical institutes, there is a students attending technical institutes, there is a very high ratio of Yemeni university students in very high ratio of Yemeni university students in the social sciences. the social sciences.


International Comparisons of Share of Science Disciplines in University Enrollments

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

ECSWA 1998

(%)


One specific issue with regard to subject One specific issue with regard to subject balance is that the very large number of balance is that the very large number of education colleges has a distorting effect, with education colleges has a distorting effect, with the result that something over 40 per cent of all the result that something over 40 per cent of all students are studying to become teachers. students are studying to become teachers. Although undoubtedly the country will continue Although undoubtedly the country will continue to need a large - and growing - number of to need a large - and growing - number of

teachers,teachers,

Colleges of educationColleges of education


UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES UNEMPLOYED GRADUATES

There is considerable anecdotal evidence that There is considerable anecdotal evidence that there is a high rate of unemployment among there is a high rate of unemployment among graduates from universities, but data about this graduates from universities, but data about this have been hard to obtain. To get a meaningful have been hard to obtain. To get a meaningful picture it would be necessary to obtain picture it would be necessary to obtain unemployment data that differentiate between unemployment data that differentiate between the subjects studiedthe subjects studied


Despite the absence of accurate and detailed data Despite the absence of accurate and detailed data

the fact that the civil service hires less than 10 the fact that the civil service hires less than 10 per cent of those who apply, and is only now per cent of those who apply, and is only now recruiting those who graduated in 1995 in arts recruiting those who graduated in 1995 in arts and law and law

as well as reports from business leaders - as well as reports from business leaders - suggests either that universities are not producing suggests either that universities are not producing graduates that the labour market wants or graduates that the labour market wants or alternatively that the labour market has not alternatively that the labour market has not developed the point where it can absorb the developed the point where it can absorb the graduates, or both.graduates, or both.


Employment in the neighboring Employment in the neighboring countriescountries

What is important to note is that it is not only a What is important to note is that it is not only a question of universities producing the wrong graduates question of universities producing the wrong graduates but also to do with the state of development of the but also to do with the state of development of the labour market. Whatever the reason, the problem labour market. Whatever the reason, the problem remains, and whereas in a country like Jordan which remains, and whereas in a country like Jordan which also produces far more graduates than its own also produces far more graduates than its own economy can absorb, the surplus go abroad where they economy can absorb, the surplus go abroad where they readily find employment, That may be a reflection of readily find employment, That may be a reflection of the subjects that students study (in Jordan there is a far the subjects that students study (in Jordan there is a far higher proportion of students in engineering and higher proportion of students in engineering and technical subjects), or it may reflect the perceived technical subjects), or it may reflect the perceived quality of the education they have received quality of the education they have received


PedagogyPedagogy There is a tradition in Yemeni universities of lecturers There is a tradition in Yemeni universities of lecturers

lecturing and students "receiving" information that lecturing and students "receiving" information that they are fed by the lecturer. This is exacerbated by they are fed by the lecturer. This is exacerbated by the widespread use of detailed course notes and the widespread use of detailed course notes and materials - often out of date and inappropriate. While materials - often out of date and inappropriate. While it is true that the paucity of books and materials as it is true that the paucity of books and materials as well as the very high student: staff ratios may make well as the very high student: staff ratios may make other pedagogic approaches difficult, this spoon other pedagogic approaches difficult, this spoon feeding of teaching is a long way from the feeding of teaching is a long way from the requirements of the 21st centuryrequirements of the 21st century..


Skills in key subjectsSkills in key subjects The four-year first degree programme is not in The four-year first degree programme is not in

itself a particular issue (increasingly other itself a particular issue (increasingly other countries are standardizing on a four-year first countries are standardizing on a four-year first degree programme) but there are concerns about degree programme) but there are concerns about whether students have a sufficient base in key whether students have a sufficient base in key subjects - the English and Arabic languages, IT and subjects - the English and Arabic languages, IT and mathematics, for example - to be able to progress mathematics, for example - to be able to progress satisfactorily through the four years. In particular, satisfactorily through the four years. In particular, in the medical sciences and engineering subjects, in the medical sciences and engineering subjects, given that so much of what students study is in given that so much of what students study is in English, it is essential that they have a good grasp English, it is essential that they have a good grasp of the English language, which many do notof the English language, which many do not..


Curricula Curricula There appear to be no systematic processes for There appear to be no systematic processes for

the review of curricula, nor for the involvement of the review of curricula, nor for the involvement of the outside world - industry in particular - in the outside world - industry in particular - in developing curricula to ensure that what students developing curricula to ensure that what students learn is appropriate and relevant. So it seems learn is appropriate and relevant. So it seems that many programmes have not been modified that many programmes have not been modified for many years - certainly they are not developed for many years - certainly they are not developed systematically - and that students are not only systematically - and that students are not only taught inappropriately but that what they learn taught inappropriately but that what they learn may not be up-to-date and appropriate may not be up-to-date and appropriate


Although individual universities may have Although individual universities may have internal processes for assuring quality, these internal processes for assuring quality, these are by no means widespread or systematic, and are by no means widespread or systematic, and there is no national quality assurance process. there is no national quality assurance process. Consequently, there are no incentives for Consequently, there are no incentives for universities or the staff within them to ensure universities or the staff within them to ensure high quality and standards in what they provide. high quality and standards in what they provide.

QualityQuality


As damaging as the absence of quality assurance As damaging as the absence of quality assurance processes is the apparent absence of any processes is the apparent absence of any accreditation process. This means that private accreditation process. This means that private universities are able to operate without universities are able to operate without evaluation of their ability to make appropriate evaluation of their ability to make appropriate higher education provision, and even though higher education provision, and even though there is now a formal process before private there is now a formal process before private universities can be created, this does not include universities can be created, this does not include a full evaluation of the quality of their inputs or a full evaluation of the quality of their inputs or processes.processes.


There are examples of good practice in quality There are examples of good practice in quality assurance in Yemen - the private University assurance in Yemen - the private University Science and Technology has a quality assurance Science and Technology has a quality assurance process that includes the evaluation of each process that includes the evaluation of each professor twice per year, professor twice per year, well-structured and well-structured and regular curricula review and formal reviews of regular curricula review and formal reviews of program impact and administration program impact and administration


Research Research There is little money, public or private, specifically There is little money, public or private, specifically

provided for research in universities, and the research provided for research in universities, and the research that is done tends to be self-motivated - as a that is done tends to be self-motivated - as a prerequisite for promotion for individual staff - rather prerequisite for promotion for individual staff - rather than as part of an institution-wide or national than as part of an institution-wide or national strategy. strategy.

There is no national body that takes an overview of There is no national body that takes an overview of research, and there is no knowledge of how much research, and there is no knowledge of how much research is undertaken and in what topics. research is undertaken and in what topics.

One particular issue is the very small number of One particular issue is the very small number of postgraduate students in Yemen's universities. In the postgraduate students in Yemen's universities. In the University of Sana’a, for example, only 600 out of University of Sana’a, for example, only 600 out of 77,000 students are postgraduates, and in the 77,000 students are postgraduates, and in the country as a whole only around 1500 students.country as a whole only around 1500 students.


ServiceService One of the functions of universities everywhere is to One of the functions of universities everywhere is to

provide services to their local community and society provide services to their local community and society more widely, and to put their knowledge, skills and more widely, and to put their knowledge, skills and facilities at the disposal of the wider population. facilities at the disposal of the wider population. Although that may occur in universities in Yemen, there Although that may occur in universities in Yemen, there is no systematic information about this, and very little is no systematic information about this, and very little indication that much of this takes place except to the indication that much of this takes place except to the extent that university professors undertake consultancy extent that university professors undertake consultancy assignments for personal gain. That is a pity. assignments for personal gain. That is a pity. Universities are populated by some of the most Universities are populated by some of the most talented and knowledgeable people in the country, and talented and knowledgeable people in the country, and a country that is developing urgently needs to make a country that is developing urgently needs to make use of all the resources at its disposal. use of all the resources at its disposal.


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hedp yemen national strategy for the development of higher education in yemen higher education...

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