Inclusion of Global Competence in Higher

Education: Perspectives of Faculty in Saudi Arabia

July, 7, 2017

Dr. Yazan Alghazo

Introduction

Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University:

CORE program

Six Competencies of PMU

- Global Competency

- Conflict resolution and Management

Defining Global Competency

“a person’s ability to demonstrate empathy

towards others, understand current events,

maintain a positive attitude, has a certain

“unspecified” level of foreign language

proficiency and “ability to understand

something foreign””Hunter B, White GP, Godbey GC. What does it mean to be globally competent?. Journal of

Studies in International education. 2006 Sep 1;10(3):267-85.

Lambert R. Parsing the concept of global competence. Educational exchange and global

competence. 1994:11-24.

More definitions

“knowledge about and appreciation of other

international cultures, appreciation of

diversity, understanding complexities within

the current global society, and the ability to

work comfortably with people from other

cultures”Soria KM, Troisi J. Internationalization at Home Alternatives to Study Abroad Implications for

Students’ Development of Global, International, and Intercultural Competencies. Journal of

Studies in International Education. 2014 Jul 1;18(3):261-80.

General componentsComponents of Global Competency:

1. Appreciation of other cultures .

2. Ability to communicate across cultures.

3. High-level communication skills in a second

language.

4. Professionalism skills within diverse work

environments.Parkinson A. The rationale for developing global competence. Online Journal for Global Engineering

Education. 2009;4(2):2.

Lo Bianco J, Liddicoat AJ, Crozet C. Striving for the Third Place: Intercultural Competence through

Language Education. 1999.

Importance of Global

Competency

Parkinson A. The rationale for developing global

competence. Online Journal for Global Engineering

Education. 2009;4(2):2.

Purpose of the study

To understand faculty members’ perceptions

on the inclusion of global competency in

curricula.

Attempt to develop a definition of global

competency within the Saudi Arabian

context. (skill requirements)

To identify methods for incorporating global

competency into university curricula.

Methodology

Mixed methods Survey Design

________________________________

47 participants (N=47),

Male (67%), female (33%)

Four colleges

Methodology CONT’

Quantitative:

Components of global competency

(skill set required for globally competent

individuals)

Qualitative:

Feasibility of inclusion

methods for inclusion

Results

Definition of Global competency.

“The ability to work with people from

different cultures and backgrounds. Global

competence is an expression of tolerance

and cooperation”.

– Linguistic abilities.

– Cultural awareness.

– Cultural sensitivity.

Results- Additional Skills

Critical Thinking.

Communication skills.

Problem solving skills.

Leadership skills.

Negotiation skills.

Results

Feasibility of incorporating Global

Competency in university CORE curricula.

97% of faculty members agreed…..

Some components are already incorporated

through CORE courses, and others can be

added to the curriculum…

Results Cont’

Courses that emphasize global competency

skills: Written Communication

Oral Communication

Technical and Professional Communication

Writing and Research (Problem Solving)

Professional Development (diversity, Conflict Management)

Leadership and Teamwork

Critical Thinking

Additional ways to incorporate

Global Competency

Incorporating current global issues in

assignments.

Simulations and role-plays

Inviting international guest speakers to

lectures.

Diversity amongst faculty members.

Study-abroad programs ( summer sessions)

Conclusion

Faculty members believe that globally

competent university graduates are more

likely to succeed in their professional lives.

Faculty members believe it is essential that

global competency skills are incorporated

into university curricula.

Conclusion and

Recommendations

It is important that university students are

involved in activities that enable them to

understand cultural diversity.

Ways to improve students’ global competencies:

1. inclusion of global issues in class activities.

2. international guest speakers.

3. simulations and role plays.

4. study-abroad programs.

Thank you ….

Questions?

Comments?