شبكة المعلومات العربية التربوية

This paper examines the emergence of new models of global higher education and emerging opportunities, including a number of initiatives and approaches that have been drawn from universities and other educational institutions in countries that have made great strides in improving their higher education system. The paper presents a number of interrelated topics on key developments that represent important challenges facing Arab universities such as the rapid expansion in student enrolment, academics and student mobility, explosion of knowledge, the tremendous progress in information technology, the quality of education and its conformity with the requirements of the economy, the internationalization and marketization of higher education, the development of research capacity and the need for increased funding, the challenge of introducing critical thinking as an alternative to rote memorization, quality assurance and accreditation, and adoption of lifelong learning and continuing education policies and their relationship to sustainable development. The paper also examines the interaction between global higher education trends and the national needs and developments in the Arab countries, and raises the issue of cooperation between Arab higher education institutions, and international cooperation with their counterparts around the world. In order to find common ground and interest in trying to find a model that could help bring Arab universities closer together, the paper highlights the Bologna process of European cooperation in order to find common ground, as well as an Arab interest that can help bring Arab universities closer together. The paper addresses the structural relationship between universities and sustainable development and their role in carrying out research that preserves and enhances the natural resource base, develop and improve renewable energy sources and analyzing the impact of human and economic risks on the environment. Finally, the paper presents some ideas and suggestions that could be successfully implemented if the necessary mechanisms were put in place which is expected to lead to a huge development in higher education in Arab countries. (Author's abstract)