Catalyzing Education Research in Saudi Arabia

Catalyzing Education Research in Saudi Arabia

In collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Education, EPoD seeks to diagnose constraints in existing educational programs and identify policy solutions to unleash the full potential of Saudi Arabia’s human capital. 

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In collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Education, EPoD seeks to diagnose constraints in existing educational programs and identify policy solutions to unleash the full potential of Saudi Arabia’s human capital. 

Education is a fundamental building block in the development of any nation. It promotes a growing society and impacts the very fabric of a nation's values and aspirations, as well as its economic potential. Yet, education policy is also one of the most challenging areas of reform. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to address this challenge head-on.

Evidence for Policy Design (EPoD) at the Harvard Kennedy School is a global leader in catalyzing direct research engagements to support policymaking. EPoD's approach leverages leading researchers around the world to use theory and empirical evidence to assess, design, implement, test, and refine high-potential policy interventions to maximize impact. Dr. Asim Ijaz Khwaja, Co-Director of EPoD and Professor of International Finance and Development at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Dr. David J. Deming, Professor of Education and Economics at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, are currently leading EPoD’s collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education (MoE). 

EPoD’s engagement with MoE seeks to generate in-depth knowledge of the current constraints in education in Saudi Arabia and inform the design of policy solutions to address the gap between education supply and labor market demand. Through the Smart Policy Design and Implementation (SPDI) methodology, EPoD’s work is focused on key areas of priority including, but not limited to, early childhood education, teacher training and development, skills and employability, and 21st century skills. Through direct policy engagement and capacity building programs, the EPoD-MoE collaboration promises to fundamentally impact the dialogue and practice of education reform in Saudi Arabia.
 

Highlights

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Researchers from EPoD and across Harvard convened with Saudi educators and civil servants to discuss education reform.