CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IN THE GCC REGION

Although higher education in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region has predominantly been supporting vocationalism, liberal arts education has been increasingly gaining popularity in the past few decades, especially among private universities in MENA. However, there remains significant resistance to liberal arts education among parents and students alike, especially in conservative cultures where the term “liberal” is perceived in a negative fashion. Through examining cultural predispositions to educational approaches, this paper aims to underpin barriers to promoting the concept of liberal arts in the MENA region, with specific emphasis on Kuwait. The paper emphasizes the importance of integrating the values of liberal arts education within the local cultures where it operates as one of the most effective approaches to alleviate the negative perceptions associated with it. By navigating through the historical roots of liberal arts in the MENA region, this paper also highlights the universal aspect of liberal arts.