Abstract:

Efficient spending of resources for education and measuring the results of efforts are challenging tasks and in many cases even misleading. From the strategic assessment point of view, outputs and outcomes of education system require differentiated approach. Quantitative measures shall not be considered as the only truthful indicator of the success. Rather, quality of education needs to be initiated, encouraged and monitored closely, and plans for further improvement be developed.

Traditionally, rote memorization is the driving force in the learning process in Middle East. Pedagogy in most of the Arab universities is classically centered more on rote learning rather than supporting problem-solution oriented critical thinking, analytical skills, and ability of application of theory to practical concepts. Only this wide capacity will be consistent with the rapidly changing, competitive, and challenging modern global political, economic, and social environment. Furthermore, Arab business leaders are concerned that the educational institutions in the Arab countries are not equipping graduates with the aptitudes, skills, and talents expected to work successfully in the private sector.

Regarding the undergraduate courses, in particular in economics, the main aim is to qualify students to think like economists. Thus, all processes for breaking down the boundaries and thinking ‘out of the box’ start in the classrooms. Encouragement of students for imagination is decisive when discussing the shift to cogent learning in economics. Kuwait is applying all efforts for making big steps on this path.

The paper aims at analyzing the culture of learning by memorization in Kuwait, particularly in economics courses, examining the importance of breaking boundaries and cleaning the path for conceptual learning, exploring the challenges on the way of acquiring quality and sustainable knowledge in Economics, and recommending ‘imagination’ as an approach to teaching economics courses.

Keywords:

Teaching economics, rote memorization, imagination, quality knowledge.