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Admission policies and procedures in Arab universities

[Abstract] 
Type Chapter
Document no. 041458
Author Hammoud, Rafica. UNESCO adviser; College of education, university of Bahrain
Pages pp. 69-92
Host Item Entry Towards an Arab Higher Education space : International challenges and social responsibilities : proceedings of the Arab regional conference on Higher Education, Cairo, 31 May, 1-2 June 2009
Original language title حمود، رفيقة سليم. سياسات وإجراءات القبول في الجامعات العربية
Electronic Location Full text (PDF)  PDF
Descriptors Admission criteria  -  Equal education  -  Universities  -  Arab countries
Language of document English
Country Lebanon
This paper reviews the main requirements and procedures for admission to first degree programs (Bachelor /Licence) in the Arab countries, in terms of: coordination mechanisms (central coordination at state level, or decentralization by leaving decisions to the higher education institutions themselves); type of qualifying certificate required; minimum admission score required for admission; competitive selection on the basis of student ranking; duration of validity of certificate; and aptitude tests, or competitive entrance examinations, or personal interviews, etc. The paper then reviews in detail and compares examples of admission policies and procedures at a selection of public and private universities and their various colleges (depending upon available data) in a number of Arab countries representing the various geographical regions (Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen).The most prominent examples of best-practice admission policies are then discussed, such as: standardized testing for ensuring equity and equal opportunity at entry level; use of more than one criterion for admission; granting concessions to certain disadvantaged groups and less developed geographical areas; and providing more than one admission opportunity in a year. The most prominent challenges are also discussed, such as: low rates of enrolment in higher education; educational imbalances resulting from admissions based on sole criterion (e.g. secondary-school final examinations); having “parallel sections” in some government colleges levying higher tuition fees to the detriment of equal opportunities; unjustified positive discrimination in favor of some groups; and the large proportion of students opting to study humanities and social sciences in preference to scientific disciplines. The paper concludes with numerous suggestions for developing higher-education admission policies and procedures in the Arab countries. (Published Abstract)

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Cite   (APA) Style Always review your references for accuracy and make any necessary corrections before using:
Hammoud, Rafica.. (2009). Admission policies and procedures in Arab universities . In Towards an Arab Higher Education space : International challenges and social responsibilities : proceedings of the Arab regional conference on Higher Education, Cairo, 31 May, 1-2 June 2009. (pp. 69-92 ). Retrieved from search.shamaa.org