Qutrat Nada: Human Capital

We often repeat, through our conferences and dialogue sessions held periodically in our educational institutions, that human beings are the central axis of development, and that investing in citizens and developing their capabilities constitute the cornerstone of any successful development plan. Yet, after years of conferences, workshops, and competition in designing strategic plans, the question remains: Have we truly invested in high-quality, quality education? Have we provided the appropriate technological infrastructure that opens the door for us to achieve technical excellence? Or have we merely consumed technology and its tools?

Amid international and regional changes, investing in human capital is no longer an option that can be deferred; it has become a necessity imposed by challenges of all kinds—economic, political, and even security-related—facing the student cohorts that will enroll in higher education institutions today and enter the labor market later.

We need to foster a spirit of competition among higher education institutions, whether vocational or theoretical, and encourage periodic competitions in technological, sports, and creative fields, among others.

In short, the challenge today lies in transitioning from the planning stage to the implementation stage. More to follow...