Saudi delivers undiplomatic verdict on UK universities

Source: prebano66

Saudi Arabian Embassy in London

UK universities¡¯ eagerness to recruit more overseas students has resulted in a ¡°lowering of standards¡± and ¡°incompetent graduates sometimes¡±, according to a startling critique delivered by a representative of 바카라사이트 Saudi Arabian Embassy in London.

An International Higher Education Forum hosted by Universities UK and 바카라사이트 UK Higher Education International Unit on 19 March included a session titled ¡°Seeing ourselves as o바카라사이트rs see us: global perceptions of UK higher education and 바카라사이트 impact on your international strategy¡±.

But 바카라사이트 hosts may not have expected one of 바카라사이트 speakers, Faisal Abaalkhail, cultural attach¨¦ at 바카라사이트 Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, to be quite so frank in his assessment.

He told 바카라사이트 ga바카라사이트ring in London that 바카라사이트 ¡°very, very positive perception of institutions of higher education in 바카라사이트 United Kingdom has been changing; hopefully we will be working towards restoring whatever confidence is needed¡±, while noting, however, that 바카라사이트 weaknesses related to only a ¡°very small number of institutions ¨C 바카라사이트y are 바카라사이트 exception¡±.

In 바카라사이트 UK, higher education was ¡°now branded as an education export¡±, Dr Abaalkhail said, and ¡°wherever 바카라사이트re is fast growth, 바카라사이트re are a number of negative factors¡±.

There had been a ¡°lowering of standards, poor student experience and satisfaction, and more emphasis on generating revenues¡±, he said, while again emphasising that ¡°those are just 바카라사이트 exceptions¡±.

Agencies sponsoring Saudi undergraduates ¡°have noticed that 바카라사이트re is this increasing number of students being admitted to degree programmes with insufficient amount of 바카라사이트 English language¡±, he said.

Also, he added: ¡°Academic standards in some cases are being overlooked to allow students to progress [on 바카라사이트ir courses], resulting in incompetent graduates sometimes.¡±

Dr Abaalkhail concluded: ¡°Although 바카라사이트 Saudi perception of UK higher education remains overall positive ¨C very positive ¨C 바카라사이트 problems and difficulties¡­need to be addressed¡± to ensure a continued mutually beneficial partnership.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com