Understanding Private Higher Education in Saudi Arabia

302 Pages·2012·2.24 MB·English

by  Yussra Shihab Jamjoom

Understanding Private Higher Education in Saudi Arabia
- Emergence, Development and Perceptions

Yussra Jamjoom

Thesis submitted to

Institute of Education
University of London
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

September, 2012
Abstract    

This thesis looks into the factors underlying the emergence, development, and
understandings of private higher education in Saudi Arabia from three perspectives. The
first perspective is regional-historical, from which I examine the rise and growths of the
private sector from a regional and historical point of view. The second perspective is
institutional, from which I examine the perceptions of private higher education among
different groups of stakeholders in comparison to its counterpart, the public sector,
through three different phases of private higher education provision: 1)the entry point
2) the experience stage and 3) the exit to the job market. The third perspective can be
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the private sector and the wider political environment, and also the use of the English
language in private higher education provision: how it presents itself as both a challenge
and benefit for various stakeholders of it.

My analysis leads to a conclusion that the private sector is a necessary complement to a
public one, which not only lacks the capacity but also is being challenged by many
fronts. The public sector was found to fall short in meeting quantitative and qualitative
demands for higher education. The sector of private higher education in Saudi Arabia is
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public sector.

Overall, this research is of a qualitative nature. For the regional-historical perspective, I
use a wide range of literature and second-hand data. For the institutional perspective, I
make use of empirical data collected from my fieldwork, which is also used for
discussions in the third dimension along with government policy documents.

Based on the overall findings of this research, tentative recommendations are made for
the future development of Saudi private higher education.

1
Acknowledgements  

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to God and to all those
who encouraged and assisted me in this monumental task. Completion of this journey
would not have been possible without God, my supervisors, the prayers and support of
my family and friends. They were all incredibly supportive to me as I tackled this
endeavor. Their presence in my life has enabled me to grow intellectually, emotionally,
and spiritually. These few words are not enough to express my deep appreciation.

I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. Paul Temple, Dr. Vincent Carpentier, and
Prof. David Watson for their academic support and advices.

Special thanks goes to prof Levy, a distinguished professor at university of Albany and
the director of PROPHE (program for research on private higher education);; who
despite of his busy schedule and obligations was generous enough with me. He has
given me his full attention, encouragement, suggestions, and guidance throughout my
research journey

I would like to express my special gratitude to my father and mother who were
instrumental in my pursuit of this degree. They have set such a solid foundation in my
life from which I have grown. I am also deeply grateful to my lovely siblings, who
without their love and (cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:81)(cid:183)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)
goals. I am forever indebted for their love and enduring support and patience.

I am also thankful to my cousins, uncles, aunts and friends. They have been a source of
blessing and support throughout my educational journey.

(cid:44)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:68)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:183)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:43)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)
granting me a scholarship pursue my postgraduate degree in the UK.

Finally, I am grateful to all participants who helped me make this study possible.

2
TABLE  OF  CONTENT  

ABSTRACT   1  
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   2  
LIST OF FIGURES   6  
LIST OF TABLES   6  
LIST OF APPENDICES   6  
PART  I   8  
CHAPTER 1   9  
INTRODUCTION   9  
RESEARCH BACKGROUND   9  
HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 20TH CENTURY   10  
THE GROWTH OF PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION WORLDWIDE   11  
PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE ARAB WORLD   14  
ORIGINS OF SAUDI PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION   15  
RESEARCH QUESTIONS   17  
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE   18  
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK   19  
CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE   21  
LIMITATIONS   22  
STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS   23  
CHAPTER 2   25  
UNDERSTANDING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION   25  
DEFINING PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION   25  
FUNDING   28  
OWNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE   29  
ORIENTATION   32  
FUNCTIONS  AND  ROLES:  (cid:858)(cid:24)IFFERENT(cid:859)(cid:853)  (cid:858)(cid:17)ETTER(cid:859)(cid:853)  AND  (cid:858)(cid:68)ORE(cid:859)   35  
GOVERNANCE: PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE STATE   39  
CONCLUSION   42  
PART II   43  
CHAPTER 3   43  
THE SAUDI ARABIAN CONTEXT   43  
THE ISLAMIC STATE   43  
DEMOGRAPHICS   46  
THE SAUDI ECONOMY   48  
THE ECONOMY AND THE FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLANS   50  
THE SAUDI LABOUR MARKET   53  
UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG SAUDI NATIONALS   55  
WOMEN(cid:183)S PARTICIPATION IN THE LABOUR MARKET   56  
CONCLUSION   59  

3
CHAPTER  4   61  
HIGHER EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA   61  
- EMERGENCE, DEVELOPMENT AND CHALLENGES   61  
ORIGINS OF EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA   61  
STRUCTURE OF THE GENERAL EDUCATION SYSTEM   63  
HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA   66  
SUPPLY AND DEMAND CHALLENGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PRIVATE
SECTOR   75  
ENROLMENT IN THE SAUDI PRIVATE SECTOR   83  
CONCLUSION   87  
CHAPTER  5   89  
RESEARCH  METHODOLOGY   89  
RESEARCH PARADIGM   89  
LOCATING THE STUDY/SELECTING THE PARTICIPANTS   91  
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES   93  
PILOT  STUDY   95  
METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION   96  
DATA ANALYSIS   103  
VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY   107  
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS   110  
CONCLUSION   112  
PART  III   113  
THE  INSTITUTIONAL  DIMENSION   113  
CHAPTER  6   114  
ENTRY  TO  PRIVATE  HIGHER  EDUCATION   114  
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS   114  
THE ELITES? OR THE UNDERACHIEVERS?   115  
THE NON-SAUDIS   121  
SUBJECT CHOICES   123  
CONCLUSION   132  
CHAPTER  7   133  
EXPERIENCES  OF  PRIVATE  HIGHER  EDUCATION   133  
(cid:886)TEACHING,  LEARNING,  AND  BEYOND   133  
TEACHING AND LEARNING   133  
CLASS SIZE AND (cid:182)(cid:54)PECIAL ATTENTION(cid:183)   137  
ASSESSMENT: THEY ARE NOT ALL GOOD!   142  
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES   145  
CONCLUSION   152  
CHAPTER  8   153  
THE  EXIT  PHASE   153  
-­‐  PRIVATE  HIGHER  EDUCATION  AND  GRADUA(cid:100)(cid:28)(cid:94)(cid:859)(cid:3)(cid:28)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:62)(cid:75)(cid:122)(cid:4)(cid:17)(cid:47)(cid:62)(cid:47)(cid:100)(cid:122)   153  
HIGHER  EDUCATION  AND  GRADUATES(cid:859)  EMPLOYABILITY   155  
RELEVANCE AND LINKAGE TO THE LABOUR MARKET   159  
4
PRACTICAL LEARNING AND STRUCTURED WORK EXPERIENCE   160  
STRUCTURED WORK EXPERIENCE   163  
CAREER CENTRE AND STUDENTS(cid:183) CONNECTIONS   168  
THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE GRADUATES   173  
CONCLUSION   176  
SUMMARY FOR PART III   178  
PART IV   182  
A BIGGER PICTURE   182  
CHAPTER 9   183  
ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION   183  
ENGLISH AND THE REGIONAL CONTEXT   183  
THE ENTRY PHASE : STUDENTS(cid:183) CHOICE AND ACCESS   186  
THE EXPERIENCE PHASE: TEACHING AND LEARNING   190  
THE FACULTY RECRUITMENT CHALLENGE   195  
THE LABOUR MARKET CHALLENGE   200  
CONCLUSION   204  
CHAPTER  10   205  
PRIVATE  HIGHER  EDUCATION  AND  THE  STATE   205  
THE RELUCTANT STATE   207  
THE CONTROLLING STATE: LICENSING AND REGULATIONS   211  
THE STATE(cid:183)S FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION   221  
INTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS   224  
CONCLUSION   228  
CHAPTER  11   229  
CONCLUDING  THOUGHTS   229  
APPENDICES   260  
REFERENCES   280  

5
List of Figures

Figure 1: Saudi Population Percentages by Gender and Age Group:2009   47  
Figure  2:  Education  System  of  the  Kingdom  of  Saudi  Arabia   65  

List of Tables

Table 1: Perspectives for understanding private Higher Education   27  
Table 2: Saudi and Non-Saudi Workforce Distribution(cid:179)Public and Private Sectors   53  
Table 3: Manpower Structure by Occupation and Nationality   54  
Table 4: Saudi Higher Education Institutions 1961-2012   69  
Table 5: Higher Education Enrolment Numbers: 1969-2005   77  
Table 6: Public Higher Education Absorption Capacity   78  
Table 7: Supply-Demand: Expected Gap   80  
Table 8: Saudi Private Higher Education Institutions 2000-2012   82  
(cid:55)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:28)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:183)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:81)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:43)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:92)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:80)   84  
Table 10 : Enrolment in Private Higher Education Institutions   86  
Table 11: Enrolled students Studying Abroad 2009   87  
Table 12: Participants by Stakeholder Category   94  
Table 13: Summary of Research Methods/Purpose   97  
List of Appendices

Appendix (1): Partial list of New Universities and Colleges in the Gulf   261  
Appendix( 2):  New Universities and Their Affiliations   263  
Appendix (3): Informed Consent Form   275  
Appendix (4): Majors Offered by Private Higher Education Institutions   276  
Appendix ( 5): Proportional Distribution of All Higher Education Graduates by Majors   278  
Appendix (6): Percentage of Majors offered by Private Higher Education Institutions   279  

6
Declaration and Word Length

I hereby declare that this thesis has not been submitted either in the same or different
form, to this or any other University for a degree. I also declare that, except where
explicit attribution is made, the work presented in this thesis is entirely my own. The
word length of this thesis (inclusive of table and figures, and exclusive of bibliography
and appendices) is: 81,971 Words.

7
PART  I  

8
Chapter 1
Introduction

In this opening chapter of my thesis, I shall begin with a brief historical review of the
rise, the development and the growth of the private higher education sector. I shall
then discuss the rise of private higher education in the Middle East, and in particular,
Saudi Arabia, in order to familiarise my readers with the regional context of private
higher education. Then I shall present my research questions in this regard and also the
conceptual framework and the structure of this thesis. However, at this point, allow me
to briefly elaborate on the immediate background of this research.

Research Background

Though private higher education has been common worldwide for many decades, it was
only in 1998 that the first such institutions were permitted to open in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. Also, there are few works on Saudi private higher education. Therefore,
this thesis makes its unique contribution through an examination of the factors that
have contributed to the emergence and the development of the private sector. In doing
so, this study also investigates the extent to which this sector is distinct from its
counterpart, the public sector.

The public sector was found to fall short in meeting quantitative and qualitative
demands for higher education. The demand on higher education has been beyond the
capacity of the public sector. Stakeholders perceive differences between public and
private higher education. The private sector is seen to offer higher quality education in
terms of teaching, learning, and extracurricular activities, etc. The private sector is also
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emphasis on practical class assignments and internships which link graduates more
directly with the labour market. Although still only a small part of total enrolment, the
private sector also provides access to some students who cannot gain admission to the
public universities. The Government is found to have a major role on the emergence of
the private sector - no private institution existed before its formal invitation to the
9