‘Education is an investment in human potential’

One of the highlights of the International Exhibition and Forum for Education (IEFE 2013) that concluded here yesterday was the presentation of a Jordanian speaker, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, who asserted that “Education, at its core, is an investment in human potential.”
While answering a question on the philosophy of investing in education which is considered a serious step towards professional development, Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Graduate School of Business (TAGSB), said: “We have to consider that education must be an ongoing life experience. One generally cannot afford the luxury to simply stop learning; stagnant skills are no longer acceptable in the workplace.”
He noted: “Technology is advancing so rapidly that even the most skilled professionals must be trained in emerging software, hardware, methodologies and approaches. There will always be individuals who aim to make quick profit from others, but we must remain optimistic and seek out world class providers while recognizing the risks posed by ineffective educators of institutions.”
“Education, at its core, is an investment in human potential,” he reaffirmed, adding that, “I am particularly encouraged by the increasing number of options for better education presented to people despite the risks presented by lower quality provides.”
Abu-Ghazaleh asserted that the absence of personal skills and the lack of effective productivity of students remain a problem that the labor market is facing while assimilating education-based outcomes, especially in developing countries.
Abu-Ghazaleh explained: “Students want to see their investment in education translate into opportunity. If, when they graduate, the positions offered to them are beneath their skillset, their response will undoubtedly be negative. This is why we see a lack of opportunity. Unfortunately this can become a self-fulfilling and self-perpetuating scenario,” he observed.
At TAGSB, he noted: “I offer all of my graduates opportunities for employment at the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization if they are unable to find work. The correlation between education outcomes and the market is so vastly intertwined that one can create the market for the other and vice versa.”
“I believe that there needs to be better communication between the private sector and education providers, particularly in developing countries” he continued, pointing out that graduates must meet the demands of the market or be provided the skills to create new market demands in order to be successful.
“We must reexamine the purpose of higher education and envision a mutually beneficial future for the market and education instructions,” he suggested.
“We in the Arab world have international partnerships on the ground, but in some cases they can be inaccessible to the masses and I believe there is still much room for improvement. We can capitalize on all that the Internet has to offer, which I believe is the best way to deliver world-class education to the masses.”
“Indeed, this was the underlining inspiration for the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University (TAGIUNI), a gateway to education. At TAGIUNI, we have partnered with esteemed education providers like Thunderbird School of Global Management, Canisius College and the British Council to deliver accredited online education to people who are unable to afford the massive costs of studying abroad. Recognizing that the internet can bridge gaps much faster and cheaper than brick-and-mortar institutions will lead to greater opportunities not only for people in the Arab world, but for people around the globe.”