The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, says he is giving $10bn (£5bn) to set up an educational foundation in the Middle East. The money is meant to improve the standard of education and research in the region, and aims to stimulate job creation, Sheikh Mohammed said.
It is thought to be one of the largest charitable donations in history.
The whole Arab world publishes fewer books than the country of Turkey. And spending on scientific research is only a tiny fraction of that in developed countries.
“There is a wide knowledge gap between us and the developed world in the West and in Asia. Our only choice is to bridge this gap as quickly as possible, because our age is defined by knowledge,” the sheikh said.
An admirable goal for any nation. All the more important in a region with so much illiteracy.
I wonder who this pisses off the most? The Saudi kingdom, Bin Laden – or Dick Cheney?
Unlike the Saudis, the ppl from Dubai know that Mds are used for something other than hijacking airplanes.
I’ve always wondered what happened to in this area to the great Persian schollars/leaders/culture…. Thry were greeat once right?
This is a step in the right direction I wold think.
Were I younger (well, OK a lot younger) I’d volunteer for teaching in Dubai. Wonder what the schools will look like? Recent photos of architecture in Dubai here:
http://www.aidan.co.uk/photos16-Modern%20Architecture.php
Where will they find all the qualified teachers reqd. for filling $10bn worth of new educational programs?
Wise move. The ruler of Dubai (or proabably his advisors) have figured out that oil will only last for a while longer and then the region is screwed unless they’ve got more legs to stand on. By raising the level of education, they’ll be able to build a better future for themselves and hopefully for the region.
Commendable.
Smart sheik. On the one hand, educate the people to face a future larger than camels, tribes and tents. On the other, provide no-questions post-caper sanctuary for the world’s biggest thieves (think: Halliburton). Season heavily with oil money. Dubai could turn into one helluva yeasty, happenin’ place over the next few decades.
#8: Dubai is already one “helluva yeasty, happenin’ place”
[double post. – ed.]
That’s a lot of money to throw around. There better be stringent accountability systems in place for how it’s used. Can you imagine if that were to happen in the U.S.? Look at all of the fraud that happened with the Katrina money, millions disappeared and many more were misused. I’m not aware of how things work in Dubai but it will be interesting to keep an eye on things and see how they do. I hope the good they intend, materializes.
Ummmm, that great for the MEN…but what about the women??
US $10Bn, isn’t that pocket change for Bill Gates? Why not match that here in the US and educate some of our kids?? Just wondering..
Oh, that’s right, too much political junk and graft to wade through. Never mind.
I’m not sure how many people reading this blog have actually been to Dubai. Most women are covered from head to toe in a black garb unlike anything I’ve ever seen. No face shows. No eyes. Nothing. And it’s black. And it’s 140-degrees outside.
What’s wrong with this picture?? Hmmmmmm?
Oh yes, and reading the local Dubai newspaper is a hoot. The descriptions of the leaders is ludicrous with the never-ending praise.
That said the architecture is good and the food is great.
As for this “great idea?” See below:
#13…BubbaRay….Actually the piker here is the Shiek. Bill Gates has endowed his foundation with 26 Billion…..which is now worth 34 Billion. And it’s given away over 8 billion already….the net worth of the foundation is 30 billion as of a year ago when this story was done.
http://tinyurl.com/3xaado
Also, the Gate’es have set up their estate to give most of their approximatly 50 Billion fortune they have left to the foundation. And since this story was done, Warren Buffet has decided to give most of his fortune to the Gates foundation. Creating by far the largest charitable foundation in world history.
#15, joshua, thanks much for the link. Amazing. If Buffet is going to contribute, even better.
A friend of mine is directly involved in one of the projects started there. The whole region looks at what’s going on in Dubai right now and especially the Saudis will not want to be left behind.
The problem is, however: traditionally, education is not something that the male youth really puts any effort in. Over the last decades, it was mainly the young women who went to university. If they really try to become a knowledge based society, rather than a civil-servant based society, that might overturn many things there.
I believe this is a very courages step. Specifically Dubai knows they have to prepare for the future and they know, well-educated people is going to be the only way. We shall see what it does to their society. One thing seems clear: people who have enjoyed a good and modern education do not easily fit into a traditional society.
pj
[Spam – ed.]
I’m calling Bravo Sierra on this. This guy doesn’t even look like a ruler. Rulers have lines and numbers spaced incrementally.
What do they plan on calling this educational foundation, NAAMP?? Will they start MET-TV? Those crazy Muslims should have their own Al-Jahzira Sharpton and Jesse Assad Jackson.
I dunno – comments here are getting entirely too rational, lately. That said, clicking the link might have answered a couple of questions:
Like, yes, the project funds education for women and men.
Of course, hereditary “government” sucks. Does that mean no one benevolent ever shows up? Hardly. This dude has already put a woman in charge as environment minister. And she was qualified and experienced – unlike the political sleazebitch appointed by Bush, here in the States.
I doubt if anyone expects a progressive political whizbang to pop from some king’s wifie; but, the sheikh is smart enough to realize the oil runs out, someday. Unlike Cheney or the average GM shareholder. He’s pushed back oil-derived income to #3 in Dubai’s economy. Seems a good idea to me to continue building a diverse economy – which is going to require someone with more education than readily available in Saudi Arabia or Pakistan or Indonesia.
#14
My wife was very lucky when Deng Xiaoping become the leader of China back in 1978. Deng wanted to give everyone a chance to compete for a spot at the Universities. This allowed for instance my wife to get a University degree. Yes, China were still putting people in Lao Gai at the time (both of my wife’s parents were sent to Lao Gai), but opening up the Universities to the best brains instead of the best connected was the start of what you now see in China today. What I’m trying to tell you is that what you see in Dubai today, might not be what you see tomorrow. Education changes people and regimes. Who knows… Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum might be the reformer Dubai and the rest of the region needs?
To me this is the only way out of the Middle East cycle of violence. Hopefully others follow suit.
#14 I’m not sure how many people reading this blog have actually been to Dubai. Most women are covered from head to toe in a black garb unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
John, I’m in Dubai right now.
It’s not exactly correct to say that most people are covered up — most are either dressed in western clothes or in the south asian shalwar kumees.
However, most of the Gulf Arab women are totally covered. However, something like only 15% of the population are local Arabs.
But you are 100% correct to say that it can seem really weird here at times. I just was at the “Wild Wadi” water park where — literally — side-by-side you’ll see one woman in a thong bikini and another women in a full-body black hijab!
So, uh, Greg – which one caught your attention the most?
#23, Greg, I think most of us would like to hear some local, “close to the ground” reaction to this. Care to share what won’t get you in trouble?
#23 – It’s not exactly correct to say that most people are covered up — most are either dressed in western clothes or in the south asian shalwar kumees.
Don’t break John’s illusion… things can not change… EVER. He once went to Dubai and saw all these women dressed like ninjas. Education can not change people… that’s why America still got slaves picking cotton in the south, Microsoft will always dominate the OS market, Britain are still colonializing countries one by one and all Germans will continue to be good old nazis.
#16….BubbaRay…..your welcome. The only good thing I can say about Gates is what he’s done with his foundation. And when people make comments about him I usually bring the charity aspect up. Mainly because if you look at so many of the so-called Dot-Com billionaires, the vast majority aren’t doing anything even remotely like Gates.
Most of them are having **my yacht is bigger than yours** contests or buying sports teams to try to make themselves men.
Mr. Fusion, you might be right to ask Gary about being careful. But my friend(from University in England) says as long as your not overtly advocating change at the top, your internet speech is pretty much free. The goverment does filter everything through their local ISP. And I remember they had a big row with Vonage or Voip, where they blocked it. But since the goverment owns the only telecom in the country thats not surprising they would try to protect their investment.