American- and French- Affiliated Universities in the Middle East as ‘Information and Resource Bridges’

Summary

The history of American- and French-origin universities in the Middle East is prominent and revealing. During the past 15 or so years, mainly American-affiliated universities have appeared in large numbers in the Gulf states and elsewhere in the Middle East. Research into both types of universities shows that these educational institutions play an important role as ‘information and resource bridges' between the Middle East and the West. These universities raise awareness and function as repositories for considerable mounts of knowledge, elite-level human resources, as well as financial resources. Important developments have occurred between the time the older universities were established and the newer ones, such as decolonization and empowerment of the host societies in the Middle East, which have placed the control and initiative largely in local hands. Universities are, therefore, very efficient instruments for countries to build strong ties to outside societies, share information, raise mutual awareness, exchange elite-level human resources and-perhaps to a lesser extent today-raise financial resources for education, research and health care.

The history of American- and French-origin universities in the Middle East is prominent and revealing. During the past 15 or so years, mainly American-affiliated universities have appeared in large numbers in the Gulf states and elsewhere in the Middle East. Research into both types of universities shows that these educational institutions play an important role as ‘information and resource bridges' between the Middle East and the West. These universities raise awareness and function as repositories for considerable mounts of knowledge, elite-level human resources, as well as financial resources. Important developments have occurred between the time the older universities were established and the newer ones, such as decolonization and empowerment of the host societies in the Middle East, which have placed the control and initiative largely in local hands. Universities are, therefore, very efficient instruments for countries to build strong ties to outside societies, share information, raise mutual awareness, exchange elite-level human resources and-perhaps to a lesser extent today-raise financial resources for education, research and health care.