KS's Global Insights into Higher Education

This statement encapsulates my philosophy, mission, vision, principles, and mindset as a professional in global higher education. It begins with a brief overview of my career, followed by an exploration of my ontological and epistemological perspectives, and concludes with a synthesis of my professional identity through key descriptors. Philosophical Underpinnings My experiences across diverse educational settings have solidified my philosophical stance in critical realism, which contends that although reality in quasi-closed systems is mediated through our experiences and judgmental rationality, an objective reality still persists independently. This philosophy, refuting both naïve empiricism and radical constructivism, directs my recognition of the multifaceted realities of higher education, each molded by distinct social, cultural, and institutional processes. Nonetheless, I endeavor to discern the underlying structures governing these realities, thereby deepening my understanding o...

The Texas A&M University (TAMU) System Board's decision to close its Qatar branch campus has become a focal point in global higher education discourse this year. The announcement regarding the cessation of TAMU's Qatar operations, previously lauded as a paradigm of Transnational Higher Education (TNHE), has left many in the sector bewildered. The withdrawal of an institution that benefited from substantial financial backing from the Qatar Foundation, estimated in the range of hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars, after more than two decades, undeniably marks a significant moment. This decision does not precipitate an immediate cessation of ongoing educational programs or administrative services. A structured withdrawal, as stipulated in the agreement with the Qatar Foundation, is slated over the next four years. The university has pledged to continue supporting educational and faculty activities, despite emerging reports of student departures. TAMU’s faculty counc...