Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh Stresses the Need to Be Prepared for the 'Tsunami' in Higher Education Sector, Announces 2nd Semester Registration at TAGUCB

I see world-class education as a human right- HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh

MANAMA --- January 12, 2013 ---- Under the patronage and attendance of HE Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Bahraini Minister of Culture, HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh delivered a lecture on “Democratization of Education” at Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research attended by a host of diplomats and around 200 high ranking officials and decision makers in the fields of innovation and education along with leading media personalities.

 In his lecture moderated by HE Mr. Najib Freiji, head of the United Nations Media Center for the Gulf Countries, who said that HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh's contributions in various fields especially in the development of education have been recognized globally and played a big role in taking e-education to another level and created his knowledge empire; he is "a true Palestinian, Arab and global success story."

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, president of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University College of Business (TAGUCB) and member of the World Trade Organization Panel of experts on Defining the Future of Trade tackled Education as a Human Right underlining the need to be prepared for the enormous changes that are taking place in the education sector to set up innovative solutions for current challenges in a mechanism to realize a transitional leap in this vital sector.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said: “This event is an opportunity to consolidate our efforts together toward developing a more inclusive knowledge society and creating a prosperous future for our young people. We look forward to developing our role to facilitate comprehensive access to education and power the engine of innovation for society as a whole.”

In his speech, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh highly commended HE Sheikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa for her constant support to the educational and cultural sectors praising her efforts to safeguard the genuine Bahraini heritage citing as an example the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, where the lecture was convened, which was renovated thanks to Her Excellency’s efforts and to the staff working with her.

He focused on the need to be prepared for the “Tsunami” of higher education stressing that “access to elite, world-class education, however, remains exclusive and unaffordable to the majority of students around the globe. For the first time in history we are in position to do something about it.”

He continued: “Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University (TAGIUNI) is that system to meet this need. The University, the gateway to world-class education is our endeavor to democratize education, promote global citizenship, and empower citizens who have been deprived from the technological revolution.  Our mission is to make accredited educational programs accessible to everyone, everywhere. Instead of competing with institutions, we are a global educational alliance – collaborating with elite universities to deliver their education online to achieve our mission.”

He pointed out “Through this University I want to change peoples’ attitude toward digital education – to show that it is the way of the future. Digital education stemming from international institutions compels individuals to understand their interdependence and the interconnected nature of the modern world. It allows for world-class higher education to reach across cultures to learners who are unable to afford the costs of travel.”

HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said, “I see world-class education as a human right and I want to put the power of choice and contribution into the hands of students. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University makes it possible for transformational societies to embrace new concepts from the ground up. We promote affordable, elite education for all, not simply “education for all.” He referred to a report released by the United Nations last year that considered Internet access as a basic human right.

He believes that utilizing such a standard enables us to achieve the same goal in higher education by making it accessible by every human on this planet as advanced technologies are available and should be invested for the welfare and interest of human beings.

HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh announced that TAG-Org has dedicated the resources necessary to deliver elite education expressing confidence that the partnerships signed with a vast group of educational institutions in addition to adopting new technologies will eventually provide a world-class education at reasonable and affordable cost for students worldwide.

At the end of the lecture, HE Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa presented Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh with an Honorary Shield for his efforts and support of the educational system around the world.

HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh selected the Kingdom of Bahrain to deliver his lecture attributable to the advanced and leading position it maintains on the Gulf and Arab region levels in the provision of diversified educational programs.

Following the lecture, attendees discussed the various curriculums that could be adopted to diminish the effects of the drop in educational resources. TAGIUNI seeks to become a model that addresses this scarcity in resources along with enhancing a global knowledge society.