(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- More Omanis are studying at Harvard University, as part of a programme designed to create a new generation of leaders in the Arab world.
The Emirates Leadership Initiative, which is fully funded by the UAE government and began around three years ago, offers to pay for the education of any student from an Arab country at Harvard's John F Kennedy School of Government.
One Omani recently graduated from the school and another is currently studying through the programme. It's aimed at those who already have work experience - to allow them to take a next step towards making an impact in their society. 'The core of the Harvard's Kennedy School is the commitment to public service and to make the world a better place,' said programme manager Asma Jaber, who was recently in Oman.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership, and its Middle East Initiative. It offers two Master's degree programmes: Public policy and public administration. It also blends in soft skills such as communication and negotiation, and leadership. Graduates go back to their careers with an added advantage, or work in NGOs, government and private sectors and start-ups, said Asma.
Around 20-25 students have undertaken the programme so far, according to Asma. Students benefit not only from academics, but also have access to some of world's most influential decision-makers.
'It isn't about learning inside the classroom. It is about learning outside it,' said Omani student Luma al Saleh who is currently studying at the Harvard's Kennedy School. It's very easy that one day you are sitting in this common area and you see a president walk by, or a vice president. So you have all these celebrities walking in, and you're thinking, 'these are the guys I want to speak to, and I want to hear'. And you hear them speak and you learn from them a lot.'
'We certainly want to increase it from the Gulf, from Oman especially. Having more graduates will build up a network in the Arab world of people who care about public service and social good,' Asma said.
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