Post-secondary education in Qatar : employer demand, student choice, and options for policy / Cathleen Stasz, Eric R. Eide, Francisco Martorell ; with Louay Constant ... [and others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Stasz, Cathleen, 1947-

Eide, Eric.

Martorell, Francisco, 1963-

Rand-Qatar Policy Institute.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Education, Higher--Qatar.

Education, Higher.

Higher education and state--Qatar.

Higher education and state.

Qatar.

Physical Description:

xxiii, 133 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2007.

Summary:

The leadership of Qatar has a social and political vision that calls for improving the country's post-secondary education system. Qatar's Supreme Education Council asked RAND to conduct a one-year study to assess whether the current post-secondary education opportunities in Qatar are aligned with the nation's social and economic goals, and to help articulate priorities for developing post-secondary educational opportunities, either in Qatar or through financed study abroad. The study determined that occupational demands are in the professional, technical, and sales and service occupations for men, and in the professional and clerical occupations for women. Overall, the pattern of demand favors individuals with some post-secondary education. However, education and career choices, especially for men, are somewhat misaligned with demand. There are numerous post-secondary offerings in Qatar to prepare Qataris for work in high-demand fields at the undergraduate level, but not for graduate studies. The study also identified other gaps in the provision of education, and developed several options for addressing them. The recommended investments for consideration are as follows: (1) to address the currently limited opportunities available to Qataris who need further course work before going on to university studies, consider establishing a government-sponsored community college; (2) to address the limited choices in four-year degrees available to high-achieving students beyond the degrees offered in Education City, consider recruiting a top liberal arts college or developing an honors program at Qatar University; and (3) to address the lack of master's degrees being offered in fields essential to Qatar's social and economic progress, consider expanding Education City's offerings or restructuring Qatar University programs. The study also recommended that a financial-aid program for adults be started and that an overarching strategy of investment be developed for post-secondary education before any investments are made.

This product is part of the RAND Corporation monograph series. RAND monographs present major research findings that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND monographs undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

Contents:

Data and Methods 4

Study Limitations 5

Monograph Organization 6

Chapter 2 Overview of Qatar and the Policy Context 7

Brief History 7

Population 9

Education 11

Economy and Industry 15

Employment 16

Chapter 3 Skill and Occupational Demands 23

Current and Future Needs 24

Implications for Education and Training 30

Patterns of Education and Employment 33

What Do Young Qataris Do After Secondary School? 33

What Do Secondary School Seniors Aspire to? 39

Summary and Key Findings 46

Chapter 4 Qataris Who Do Not Pursue Post-Secondary Education 49

Labor Market Outcomes for Those with Secondary and Post-Secondary Degrees 50

Backgrounds and Attitudes Toward Work and School of Those with Secondary and Post-Secondary Degrees 55

Reasons for Not Pursuing Post-Secondary Schooling 56

Possible Benefits from Acquiring Certain Skills 59

Characteristics of Students Planning Not to Pursue Post-Secondary Studies 60

Summary and Key Findings 63

Chapter 5 Education and Training Provision 65

What Higher Education Programs Are Being Offered? 66

Background on Higher Education Investment 66

Enrollment 67

Fields of Study and Degrees Offered in Qatar 67

Scholarship System and Study Abroad 71

Provision of Post-Secondary Training 76

Do Offerings Relate to Demand for Skills in Specific Occupations/Sectors? 81

How Do Offerings Relate to Demand for Skills? 82

Do Offered Opportunities Differ by Gender? 83

Are There Gaps in the Offerings? 85

Summary and Key Findings 86

Chapter 6 Options for Providing New Educational Opportunities 89

Conceptual Approach 89

Post-Secondary Investment Options 89

Conceptual Costs and Benefits 90

Costs and Benefits of Post-Secondary Investment Options 91

Gap: Limited Opportunities for Remedial Course Work Prior to Admittance for University Study 91

Gap: Limited Four-Year Degree Choices for High-Achieving Students in Qatar Beyond Those Offered in Education City 94

Gap: Lack of Master's Degrees in Career-Related Fields in Qatar 97

Coordination and Planning for Post-Secondary Education Investment 100

Chapter 7 Recommendations 103

Recommendation One 103

Recommendation Two 104

Recommendation Three 104

Prioritization 104

Feasibility Study 105

A Study Approach and Methods 109

B Post-Secondary Degrees Offered in Qatar 123

C Training Providers in Qatar 127.

Notes:

"Rand-Qatar Policy Institute."

"Prepared for the Supreme Education Council."

"MG-644-QATAR"--P. [4] of cover.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 131-133).

ISBN:

9780833041739

0833041738

OCLC:

124074752