Kuwait’s education ministry rules out Bahrain’s private colleges
Kuwait’s education ministry has published the names of 62 Arab colleges and universities where Kuwaiti nationals could have their higher studies.
Only degrees and diplomas from the endorsed private and public universities would be recognized by the ministry in a move that seeks to bring under control the ruckus that has rocked the local scene amid charges that some graduates “purchased” the certificates that gave them jobs and employment promotions.
The list includes only two universities from Bahrain, the state-run University of Bahrain, and the Arabian Gulf University, but none of the 18 private colleges and universities that were for years favoured by Kuwaiti nationals.
Egypt, a long-time favourite among Gulf nationals, was also left out of the list that covered only Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Tunisia, Jordan and Syria.
Private colleges mushroomed in Bahrain mainly after the September 11 attacks on the US and the ensuing concerns among Arab and Muslim communities.
Several Gulf nationals, particularly girls, preferred to remain in the region and avoid Western universities. Bahrain saw the development as an opportunity to turn into an education centre and allowed several colleges to launch academic courses to fit the demands of Gulf nationals.
However, as more higher education institutions opened and competition intensified, many colleges were found guilty of management irregularities and complacency with students.
Kuwait’s education ministry started to withdraw its recognition of some Bahraini degrees and Bahrain’s higher education council moved in to rein in the miasma by taking punitive action that included freezing courses and barring colleges from enrolling students.
