At Education City in Qatar, locals can get a degree from
schools such as Northwestern, Georgetown, Texas A&M, Virginia Commonwealth and
Cornell, all without ever taking a trans-atlantic flight.
It’s an experiment in international education that’s
generating a lot of controversy about the mission of U.S. schools, the cultural
divides between Qatar and America, and the best way to move forward as part of
a global community.
Take the example of the Houston Community College, where
leaders signed a five-year agreement with Qataris in 2010. For five years, HCC
operated a satellite campus in Education City.
What they got for it – well, that’s partially a matter of
opinion.
Butch Herod, the former dean of HCC Qatar, points to numbers
from HCC Senior Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Teri Zamora,
showing an eventual $1.7 million profit.
In an interview with the Gulf News Journal, Herod
admitted there were some challenges; and that having had the experience, the
school would be able to put a similar program together better.
“There’s a correct way to do this.” Herod said, explaining
that establishing a 501c3 and controlling funds that way would make things
clearer.
“It keeps a nice, clear and bright line.” Herod said.
In the end, he said, it was more a question of time than of
money: HCC’s leadership thought administrators were getting “distracted” by the
HCC Qatar venture.
But, Herod said, it’s a mistake to only value the program
according to its revenue, saying HCC was involved in what he called “educational
diplomacy” and an effort to “build bridges between different cultures.”
“Any institution of higher education that seeks to
pursue international operations should assess both the costs and
benefits of doing so.” Herod said. “Having said that, I also believe with
conviction, that the same cost-benefit assessment often misses very important non-monetary
benefits that result from these initiatives. In our experience, our
involvement in international initiatives changed the lives of not only the
students we served, but also the lives of our faculty and staff who were
participants. It not only changed the attitudes and beliefs
of those involved, but it also created life-long friendships and
partnerships that continue to provide dividends.”
Others have different takes on the subject: an August 16
piece in The
Watchdog shows an HCC Board of Trustees member, Dave Williams, voicing
concerns about the program, starting with the finances. Wilson told the
Watchdog he “felt certain” that the Qatar program lost $15 million.
Speaking to the Gulf News Journal, Wilson clarified
that statement, saying the real problem is a lack of transparency.
“Nobody has the numbers.” Wilson said, calling for an audit
of the program.
Beyond the money, Wilson also discussed concerns about the
nature of the partnership.
“I don’t think we should be over there with our employees in
a country that harbors terrorists.” Wilson said, adding that Qatari restrictions
on educating women limit the efficacy of U.S, scholastic programs there.
As for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, a
state agency that coordinates educational efforts by Texas schools, board members declined to comment when
contacted by the Gulf News Journal on the grounds that they do not have statutory authority over programs like
HCC-Qatar.
As schools like Georgetown, Cornell and others continue to
operate Qatar campuses, this controversy will likely continue as Americans, and
others beyond U.S. borders, contemplate the future of a globally interconnected
world.
