An inside look at Jubail, Saudi Arabia’s Industrial and Learning Powerhouse
One part nature reserve, and another an “industrial city”, Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Industrial City boasts a curious duality in its character, and is the latest to join an expert network of “Learning Cities”.
Announced in the last week of September 2020, we dive deep into UNESCO’s recent recognition of Jubail Industrial City’s “Learning” edge with Dr. Anwer Al-Zahrani, Managing Director of the English Language and Preparatory Year Institute (ELPYI).
Encouraging and developing the culture of lifelong learning
The Institute for Lifelong Learning is one of seven UNESCO Education Institutions, and supports Member States in the field of lifelong learning with a focus on adult and continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education. Yet, in line with Saudi Arabia’s notably young population (most are under the age of 30), Jubail boasts a youthful community not only in age, but in agility.
“Access to the Global Network of Learning Cities means providing new learning opportunities to individuals, which translates to more work opportunities — even volunteering — ultimately advancing the national economy, which consists of a remarkably young, eager and agile workforce,” explains Dr. Al-Zahrani.
Society, Agility and Skills
The city’s development principles are guided by a dedicated planning committee. Moreover, GNLC access allows Jubail to build local, regional and international alliances to oversee and review best practices, facilitating the signing of memoranda with fellow network members.
Tourism potential in the surrounding coastline and nearby islands, plus its industrial dimension, give Jubail a two-pronged allure, notably with respect to the private sector. Alongside Jubail Industrial City, the cities of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu generate about 12% of the Kingdom’s GDP.
Education, English and Petrochemicals
The local job market, much like the global one, requires an increasingly advanced level of English proficiency. But this is just one part of the big picture. “The activities we’re developing aim to spread cultural, social and civil awareness among the various groups of society,” which, according to Dr. Al-Zahrani is determined in a strategic plan approved annually by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.
English was adopted as the medium of instruction for all its post-secondary institutions since 1978. As Managing Director of the English Language and Preparatory Year Institute (ELPYI), he tells us about the importance of language skills in developing the workforce collectively. “The story of the English language in the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) spans over four decades, and culminates in our Institute.”
Fruit of the ELPYI’s courses complement students’ progress and competency, ahead of pursuing their majors at three major entities nearby: Jubail University College, Jubail Industrial College and Jubail Technical Institute.
A 91% Employment Rate
Currently, Jubail supports over 31,000 students across its K-12 schools, as well as the higher education establishments. Alongside a custom-built residential city and surrounding ports, Jubail also boasts the world’s largest petrochemical complex. “We witness that as the student intake continues to increase, the need for English remains indispensable.”
With the colleges offering degrees in engineering, technical and administrative majors covering both hard and soft skills, the ELPYI programs complement the degrees which, together, offer an A to Z package that prepares a generation of students to excel in the workforce, both regionally and globally, whether in the petrochemicals sector or beyond.
Sustainable Growth in Trying Times
Without a doubt, this year has been a challenging one for the institution. When speaking of the current global pandemic, Dr. Al-Zahrani tells of tackling the unprecedented challenges before the education system in the wake of the Covid-19 global outbreak.
Citing its “commitment to lifelong learning and inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable policies,” UNESCO’s designation of Jubail Industrial City is a recognition of the city’s important role in providing high quality education.
Maslow before Bloom
Dr. Al-Zahrani reminds us of a crucial concept in Education circles: students are humans that generally need their basic needs met before academic learning can reach its full potential. Bloom’s taxonomy places different Educational Objectives on tiers, ranging from Knowledge, and Comprehension to Synthesis and Evaluation.
The linkages are simple but fundamental: how a person develops their Maslow hierarchy (physiological and safety needs come before self-actualization and connection) directly impacts their capacity and attention toward learning, academically, socially, and emotionally.
“School-at-home definitely impacts lifestyle, and this should be considered when planning for education. I am a firm believer in placing Maslow before Bloom.”
The Covid Step-up
Only cities that show a dedication to lifelong learning for all residents are permitted to join. Jubail Industrial City joins other rapidly developing locations such as Dublin, Mexico City, and Shanghai, and provides an opportunity to prompt policy partnerships, provide capacity development, and forging links between the over 170 members.
“Addressing internet connection and network issues by stepping up our own infrastructure is just one technical aspect of the challenge. We have also begun creating digital support tools to offset the lack of practical learning resources such as laboratories, which are moving towards a virtual model, supported by systems such as Blackboard, Madrasati and Marefa. Additionally, we are deploying educational e-brochures and videos designed for parents, because the need for a new kind of parental support cannot be ignored moving forward.”
Different types of knowledge sharing
Dr. Al-Zahrani evokes Robert Half’s saying: “When one teaches, two learn. The journey is more than a technical one. When it comes to technology, we’re making strides, but it’s not just about finding the right infrastructure to implement. Both teachers and students are learning from each other here. I am speaking from my standpoint as an assistant professor, witnessing this era from inside physical and virtual classrooms, too.”
Jubail Industrial City has seen more than 41,000 students (male and female) graduate, with a post-degree employment rate of 91%. The news of access to the GNLC comes at a good time: “It has been a highly challenging era, but our city’s resilience, in spite of adversity, is really something that inspires us collectively, as learners in the learning city, students and faculty members alike.”
