Education institutions both at higher and lower levels have impacted society positively in the past and present days across many countries. Education is said to be among the most important and fundamental sector in society that transforms it positively. Education is the key to success and empowerment of any community. It is also an attribute that measures the levels of development according to the international standards. Private and public companies in the recent times have contributed greatly to the development achieved in the education sector, in many societies. The levels of education in terms of standards and programs have changed to incorporate the current developments in society that in most cases has been brought about by innovations and technological developments. Many developments and changes have been achieved in the education sector, in many organizations with the introduction of private sector that has impacted the education sector in many ways (Bastedo, 2012). Due to state control and monopoly that was achieved in the past in the sector, many organizations found in the past have dominated the sector as is presented in the example above of The Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE). However, with opening up of the area and introduction of other organizations both private and public, the monopoly that was achieved and experienced by such organizations has diminished. It has, therefore, introduced new methods and techniques in the area raises questions to the public about the impacts that such actions can result into whether it leads into improving the quality of education in the society or if it produces the contrary expectations that impact the society negatively. In the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) example, it is has dominated the education sector of the society of UAE (About HCT, 2014). With the introduction of new players in the education sector, it brings many questions and concerns to the public that presents a mixed view. HCT is supported by the government and many other organizations have come up from both the public and private sectors and injected competition in the education sector.
The situation, therefore, presents a mixed analysis among the public in the UAE where some people are of the view that HCT is still the best educational institution in UAE and others cannot compete with it. More specifically, they note that HCT advocates and promotes ‘learning by doing,' which other organizations do not and, therefore, makes it the best and top in offering education and training for the community across many sectors and departments relevant to the community. Other people among the community are of the view that the dominance that HCT has had over the tears will come to end soonest and it is just a matter of time before other education institutes NIL the dominance that they have. On the other hand, there are people who believe that each educational institution in UAE plays an important and critical part in the development of the society. Therefore, HCT and other educational institutions established to be viewed as not competitors, but rather partners because they all complement each other for the good of the society. The above three cases and points of arguments presents possible situation that can result from the case. Many education institutions play and important role in the society. The introduction of many education institutions as noted in the example described above is healthy and good for the entire society including HCT. With the increased innovation and invention in many aspects that has been brought about by technology in most of the instances, including the education sector, and reforms witnessed in many departments of governments that encourage privatization, many changes have been witnessed in the society.
The introduction of other educational institutions in the UAE has worked and impacted HCT and the society positively in many ways. Competition in any society is good as it guarantees and protects the consumers against exploitation and excess extortion from those involved in the provision of goods or services of any kind. It ensures the quality of services offered is improved and of high quality giving consumer’s value or their money and time (Bastedo, 2012). It, therefore, impacts to the society of UAE positively especially to those who are seeking education and training services to build and develop careers. It gives them the opportunity to choose the best alternatives in terms of costs and career line that suits their financial positions and capabilities. It, therefore, expands and broadens that number of people seeking higher education and training in many disciplines across the society. Many new educational institutions introduce new programs and training that in many instances is not provided by the dominant institutions in the area. New course and fields of training are ever on the developments across many parts of the society. It gives people new chance and opportunities to start and train on new careers that in most occasions are designed specifically for the market in the present and modern context. The expanded education sector in UAE helps HCT to restructure and reorganize itself by pulling up the game and services that they offer. It is healthy for the educational institutions as they are able to compete between and among each other positively in a constructive manner that is geared towards raising the standards and levels of education offered in the country (Parry, Blackie & Thompson, 2006). It, therefore, guarantees the public of better qualified graduates and trainees who will in turn impact the society positively due to the improved training that the education institutions across their country and society have offered to them.
HCT has 17 campuses that are well established and this provides the education institution an upper advantage over other competitors because they already have established infrastructure and structure needed for further growth and development. HCT, therefore, having all the necessary ingredients and resources for growth and development, including support from the governments, they have to research globally on the new programs, training methods and techniques. The techniques used by leading organizations worldwide so as to challenge and retain its dominance as the leader of educational services in UAE. HCT has also established collaboration with other renowned global universities and colleges in the world and this has impacted on the organizations positively because through such collaborations standards of education have been raised as well as enhanced sharing of knowledge. The found support and structure that HCT has puts it at an upper advantage over the other educational institutions that have ventured into the area (About HCT, 2014). However, many organizations that are presented in the education sector especially from the private sector can get enough resources to put up modern infrastructure and structure in a modern design that can attract many potential candidates interested in achieving higher education and training. Some also bring with them vast experience in the area as they are extended branches of already established organizations in the education sector in the international arena. Government bodies regulating the education sector have a responsibility to ensure that organizations that are presented in the education sector meet the minimum standards set aside by the body regulating the sector. The institution licensed to operate in the industry has to have the experience and capability in terms of infrastructure among other relevant resources before they are registered so that the education standards are not compromised.
Experts note that many educational institutions established as noted in this case presents an opportunity for learning and sharing experiences in the field. They form a strong stakeholders and lobby group in the area. They can compel and engage the governments and private sector to initiate particularly needed reforms in the education sector for the benefit of the society. In this case, many advantages arise to both parties involved in the education sector and the society at large that makes the concept and ideology of establishing many educational institutions a healthy affair for the society and all the players’ involved (Parry et. al., 2006). For HCT, it has many campuses that are spread well across the country and this might work negatively to them in terms of management and running of the organizations. The many campuses under it many compromises the quality of services offered due to the management challenges likely to be experienced and this might influence the education services as well either directly or indirectly.
In conclusion, HCT among other organizations in the education sector both contribute positively to the transformation realized in the society of UAE. Both shape the society through their programs in the education that is a critical part and sector of any society. Competition is healthy in any sector as results into many benefits to the consumers of the products of services and goods offered and this applies the same in the noted society of UAE. HCT, therefore, has to view the challenge brought about by other organizations in a positive way and use the opportunity to raise standards much higher for the good for the society. Education is meant to transform the society whether coming from the public or private sectors and, therefore, all people have to join hands including the different education organizations in the community to come with the best programs and solutions for challenges facing the sector. The interest of the community should supersede other interest and gains that results from the education sector and, therefore, programs are to be designed that impacts positively to the community.
References
About HCT. ( 2014 )The HCT Overview. April, 3. Available at: http://www.hct.ac.ae/about/overview/
Bastedo, M. N. (2012). The organization of higher education: Managing colleges for a new era. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Parry, G., Blackie, P., & Thompson, A. (2006). Managing higher education in colleges. London: Continuum.
