Transformative Learning as a bold Strategy for the Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia: Moving Higher Healthcare Education Forward

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing a comprehensive transformation program aimed at achieving a prosperous and dynamic society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. The Vision 2030 plan, initiated by the government, aims to unlock the full potential of the kingdom's people and resources, with a focus on its citizens and the Islamic religion. The vision includes a range of strategic objectives, such as expanding cultural and entertainment opportunities within the kingdom, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and developing the nation's infrastructure.

One of the key objectives of the Vision 2030 plan is to diversify the economy and create exciting job possibilities for the people of Saudi Arabia. This will be achieved through a focus on education, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The country will diversify its economy by privatizing state-owned assets, including the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, which will be financed through partial initial public offering of Saudi Aramco. The government will also open up underdeveloped sectors like manufacturing, renewable energy, and tourism.

In order to achieve these objectives, the curriculum and standards of Saudi educational institutions will be modernized, starting from early childhood. This includes a focus on developing a highly skilled and innovative workforce that can drive the country's economic growth. To this end, the government has set a target of having at least five Saudi universities among the world's top 200 universities by 2030. Higher education in Saudi Arabia has undergone significant changes over the past decade. In 2013, the Ministry of Education launched an initiative aimed at improving the quality of higher education in the kingdom. The initiative, known as the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA), has worked to enhance the quality of higher education by establishing national academic standards and accrediting universities and academic programs.