Comparing university education in open and focused majors: A look to the future

Abstract

This study aims to redirect the human resources of university graduates towards the actual needs required of society. The huge increase in the number of graduates in the Arab world is not matched by economic growth and therefore organized labor markets that can harness the skills of graduates and invest in developing the new and future required skills to meet the challenges of the labor market. This study presents a broad comparison between the narrow and general concepts adopted in education. The study aims to provide an analysis of what should be the future direction of higher education in countries and how this can be applied to education systems in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia. Finally, it makes evidencebased recommendations to support such strategic choices, and the study concludes that a broad system that does not integrate with market needs and operates away from serious partnership with stakeholders and employer groups will certainly fail to meet national needs and national aspirations, as the data analysis revealed. University students are gathering in majors to saturate the labor market with graduates with low potential to compete in the job market, and this has led to the recommendation to take serious steps that would stimulate efficiency and responsiveness to the system. New programs and curricula that reflect market demand Shifting resources towards such a system will benefit universities as they can focus on meeting skills needs and employers who can hire skilled employees through active participation in building skill sets.