The role of higher education in the development of Arab society

Abstract

This study examines the role of higher education in the development of the Arab world. The Arab nation is currently facing critical challenges that hinder its progress and threaten its stability and development, primarily stemming from underdevelopment in various forms. The manifestations of underdevelopment can be observed at the individual, societal, and state levels, such as the lack of a unified cultural identity, high illiteracy and poverty rates, imbalanced class structure, and political and economic dependence on external factors.
The analysis reveals that the root cause of this underdevelopment lies in the human element - the knowledge, concepts, values, habits, traditions, and modes of thinking and behavior of the people. The differences between advanced and underdeveloped societies are primarily reflected in the human elements rather than the possession of material wealth or technological tools. Therefore, the study highlights the crucial role of higher education in addressing the challenges of underdevelopment and fostering the development of the Arab world by shaping the knowledge, mindsets, and behaviors of the people.