This book provides the first academically rigorous description and
critical analysis of the Higher Education system in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, and of the vision, strategies and policy imperatives for the
future development of Saudi universities. The government of Saudi Arabia
has recognized in both policy and practice the necessity of developing
its university system to world-class standard. Significantly increasing
access and participation in Higher Education across a range of
traditional and non-traditional disciplines is directly relevant to the
future social and economic growth of the country. This book addresses
the way in which Saudi Arabia is moving to develop a quality university
system that balances the need for students to gain the knowledge, skills
and 'ways of doing' necessary to operate effectively on the world stage
while simultaneously maintaining and demonstrating the fundamental
values of the Islamic religion and culture.
The book provides a description and critical analysis of the key
components of the Saudi Higher Education system, and of system-level
responses to the challenges and opportunities facing Saudi universities.
It is written by a team of Saudi academics and authors of international
standing from non-Saudi universities so as to provide both internal and
external perspectives on all issues and to place information and ideas
in the context of the international Higher Education scene.
