Abu-Ghazaleh Sounds the Alarm on A Devastating Global Economic Crisis in 2020

AMMAN – HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) warned of the upcoming Global Economic Crisis in 2020 to affect western countries and subsequently the Arab region, resulting in high unemployment rates and inflation, ultimately followed by a World War III.

In a lecture held at the University of Jordan on the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution, Knowledge Economy and the Necessity to Shift from Education to Learning’, Dr.Abu-Ghazaleh stated that the Arab world’s problem lies in its lack of future forecasting in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in which Artificial Intelligence ( AI) will enable man and machine to live side by side in one community.

Furthermore, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh underscored the need to benefit from the expected war and crisis by keeping abreast of the Knowledge Revolution developments. 

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh focused, in the presence of the UJ President Dr. Abdel Karim Al-Qudah, on the importance of shifting from education to learning with a special emphasis on the quality of education and creativity.

Meanwhile, he affirmed the need to transform communities into digital knowledge-based societies pointing out that future making and competitiveness will be based on information technology in all fields.

In addition, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh underlined the need to change the current stereotypical educational system which aims at graduating job seekers, or certificate holders, and replace it with a new educational system which  aims at graduating innovators   and inventors who will create jobs.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh referred to his recently issued book entitled “The Brave Knowledge World” which  presents the statement of his absolute belief in the power of knowledge and technology that will lead to “a glowing” future. Knowledge, which is available on the Internet, according to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, provides democratic and equal opportunities for all.

His Excellency affirmed that education should adapt to the future and rapid development in the field of creativity and innovation, noting that a knowledge based society is a society in which everything is operated by an Internet-connected computer.

 “We have to pave the way for future students and think of educational means that meet their capacities particularly since we are entering the Age of Knowledge in which a child can use ICT,” adding that: “any profession in the future will based on ICT”. 

According to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Knowledge Revolution, will wipe out those who have not been able to adapt to the rapid progress in technology. 

“Smart Education and AI will not only make things smarter but will make some people physically and mentally better.” 

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh called on students to work, innovate and invent for knowledge creation, noting that the world is passing through radical changes to transform into a knowledge world and such development should be embraced.

Abu-Ghazaleh stressed that his message for the University of Jordan is different from his previous messages, as it is the translation of his discussion with the President of the University, Prof. Al-Qudah, on making the UJ a cultural platform that empowers and qualifies its graduates to enter the labor market. 

 “We want to establish an economic platform through joint cooperation with the University to establish a center for future studies that makes future related studies, policies and strategies in a mechanism to boost the national economy,” he added.

At the beginning of the lecture, which was moderated by Dr. Ashraf bani Mohammad, Director of the US’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Al-Qudah expressed his happiness to host Senator Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, the founder and chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization; which has an outstanding record of achievements in national and community service, pointing out that Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, due to his achievements, has become a role model in all fields mainly in the education, economy, trade and industry fields. 

Al-Qudah briefed the attendees on Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh's success stories, referring to a number of partnerships signed between TAG-Org and the University, represented by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center and Women Studies Center, and expressing hope to further expand the scope of cooperation between the two parties.