“Universities without Walls” Launches National Dialogue to Develop Education

11 Sep 2013  AMMAN ------ September 11, 2013 ----- Under the auspices of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of the Economic Policy Development Forum (EPDF), a seminar entitled “Universities without Walls” was held at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Forum (TAG-Forum) where a set of proposals, indicators and key findings were concluded.
 
The seminar, attended by a host of education leaders and experts, was moderated by Dr. Issam Zabalawi. The outline of the seminar and the discussion focused on the current status of education and enriching the educational process by addressing new concepts of e-learning, democratization of education, labor market needs, challenges of violence at universities and the universities’ budget deficit.
 
Dr. Ibrhim Badran tackled education for all and matching the educational outcomes to adapt to the needs of the labor market; while Dr. Taleb Al-Sarie discussed the integrated relation between the university and society; Dr. Mohammed Abu Qadees discussed e-learning; and Dr. Dyala Qammoh talked about the proposed model for e-learning.
 
The seminar incorporated discussions, interventions, questions and suggestions and ended by the closing speech of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, who called for the creation of qualitative transition to develop education, expressing his concerns as we are facing a real problem which should be addressed.
 
HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh summarized the outcome of the seminar and in order to create the required change by focusing on the importance of utilizing information technology in education, calling the government to take its role in this field. Also, he appealed to the competent parties to acknowledge the importance of e-learning, which has become quite imperative.
 
The outcomes and indicators focused on the independence of the public and private universities academically, calling for subjecting their programs to the local and international accreditation standards only.
 
The seminar stressed on the dire need to demolish the moral and material walls which constitute one of the causes of violence in addition to demanding that our universities be open to the society and revocation of inspection and permits to enter universities. 
 
HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed on the concept of quality education for all and to make interactive and mutual relationship between the university and the society as well as the necessity to create a community service culture among students.
 
Discussing unemployment, HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh explained that it is a result of the mismatching between the needs of the labor market and the output of universities. The universities do not meet the needs of the labor market but they meet the students’ desires.
 
Participants called for upgrading and improving the quality of education, which is one of the problems of this sector. What is required is that each university has to adopt programs and approach different academic programs from the other to create competitiveness.
 
HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh concluded the seminar saying "we present the outcomes and indicators of the seminar to the society to disseminate awareness among our sons about the importance and merits of information technology, communication and e-learning and the qualitative transformation they may cause to their practical life and to boosting confidence in their future."