Too many Lebanese youths graduate unprepared for realities of market

Ara Alain Arzoumanian
Special to The Daily Star

A major distinction exists between being an accredited university and one that offers quality education in accordance with current market needs and demands, according to MP Nayla Moawad.
“Most of the recently formed 40 or so universities and higher education institutes lack quality standards,” Moawad said during September’s episode of the Europa series that focused on education. “At best they can be described as mere small ‘boutiques’ churning out unqualified graduates who are unable to find a placement in the job market.”
This month’s program, which will be aired on NBN on Saturday night, saw Moawad condemn the inadequacy of the education system which is only allocated approximately seven percent of the national budget.
“The worsening economy and lack of jobs is not the sole reason that our youth are leaving the country,” explained Moawad. “They feel estranged as they are excluded from administrative and high positions due to the ‘system’ in place that functions along sectarian and factional lines.”
According to Moawad, 54 percent of the unemployed in Lebanon are aged 25 years old or younger. In the past five years, 27 percent of the Lebanese population left the country for good.
A recent study by the sociology department of Universite Saint Joseph (USJ) found that 41 percent of emigrants between 1975 and 2001 left the country to find better job prospects and opportunities.
“The renewal of our society is threatened,” said Choghig Kasparian, a USJ sociology professor. “Exhaustion of competent human resources, disintegration of the family and rising female celibacy are leading us to social imbalance,” he added.
“The renewal and development of the economy is also threatened,” said Charles Abdullah, an economic consultant.
“The highly educated and promising elements of society are leaving, with those left struggling with rising economic strife.”
Ambassador Patrick Renauld, head of the European Commission Delegation here, added: “A well-oriented, modern and adequate education system is needed to reinvigorate the Lebanese economy. A clear strategy must be adopted that will conserve Lebanon’s human resources and adapt to fast changing global trends.”
Renauld reminded participants and viewers that the EU was proposing more than a mere partnership to its Mediterranean partners, calling for coexistence and cooperation for the mutual benefit of all parties.
“The enlarged Europe is offering an integration to all its neighbors, including Russia and the Ukraine, into its internal market with freedom of circulation for goods and people,” Renauld said.
“Universities, companies and the Lebanese state must conduct a round table to formulate and establish a vision for the future that will ensure their economic survival and prosperity.”
Renauld considered that Lebanon could no longer rely on its tertiary economy (banking, tourism and IT) to propel economic growth. Even Switzerland, whose model Lebanon has emulated, has a growing industry (20 percent of the GDP) and a highly developed agricultural sector.
According to Renauld, the EU will soon be proposing a network for energy transportation, including the construction of a major gas pipeline, linking Europe, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Cyprus.
“The Lebanese economy will surely not benefit by lodging foreign construction engineers in its hotels,” Renauld said. “The Lebanese must make a clear choice between opening to the world or remaining isolated.”
French Ambassador Philippe Lecourtier said that “Lebanon must make full use of the funds offered by the International Monetary Fund and France to implement reform programs of its educational system.” He added that “modernization should encompass all levels, from primary to university, and establish real bases for working in an open world.”
Lecourtier praised the capabilities and resilience of the Lebanese and considered them the best suited in the Arab world to cater to the employment needs of the EU in the near future, provided the educational system is revamped to cater for international competition.
“Europe is an aging land that will require new blood for its economy,” said Lecourtier. “And it is not just doctors, lawyers and engineers who are needed but plumbers and electricians as well. It is the latter who are currently enjoying high incomes and driving the luxury cars in France,” he commented.
“Acquiring experience is fundamental for survival in the job market of the future,” said Roger Ourset, Ecole Superieure des Affaires (ESA) director. “Companies must realize that their active participation is needed to introduce an added value to education and training.”
Said Miriam Choueiri of Kafaat: “The potential of cooperation between schools and companies is enormous. By offering education focused on production and experience, the student has a better chance in the job market.”
According to Choueiri, Kafaat students study and work at the same time and that is the key to their success in securing jobs. Over 80 percent are hired after graduation.
According to Moawad, it is high time that Lebanon underwent a revolution in the education sector. Consequently, education ministers and officials must be chosen based on competency and vision, and not by sectarian or party loyalties.
“Lebanon cannot support more dentists than there are teeth,” Moawad said. “What is the use of a doctor or engineer who can’t make ends meet while other ‘lesser’ but still lucrative openings remain vacant?”