By Mohsen Zahran The Shanghai Jio Tong University Institute of Higher Education released its eighth report on "The Ranking of the Top 500 Universities" worldwide on 15 August. It has received considerable recognition from the developed and developing world. This recent report has reconfirmed the already established academic dominance of the developed world, particularly North America and in Europe. The Asia and Pacific regions come next, while African and Latin American regions are left empty handed. They were not included in the top 100 rankings. The report highlights Israel in the Middle East region, which is listed as having one of the top 100 universities (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and six in the top 500 rankings. In addition, two universities in Saudi Arabia (King Saud University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals), one in Turkey (Istanbul University) and one in Iran (University of Tehran) are listed in the top 500 rankings. As with the previous seven reports, the latest study underlines the shocking realities of stagnant education in the developing and underdeveloped world. Focussing on Egypt, it must be reiterated that without radical reform and fundamental changes in strategies, policies and programmes, especially in education, there is no hope of progress. Undoubtedly, the advancement and prominence of countries in their region is linked to their adherence to human rights, academic excellence and research, and not necessarily to wealth or might. Concerned with profit making, even private universities in Egypt have drained staff away from government universities, and thus have failed to play a proactive, constructive role in the pursuit of national excellence in research and education. There is no alternative to enhancing human resources, and to devotion and commitment to the maximisation of research funds to reach 5-6 per cent of GDP, as in the United States and Israel, not merely 0.2 per cent as in Egypt. Reform can hardly wait longer, for the challenges are enormous and the consequences of failure apocalyptic. This week's Soapbox speaker is emeritus professor of planning at the University of Alexandria.
