Lack of resources causes concern about new PhD programmes

In a move to strengthen scientific capacity for sustainable development, Libya has launched its first doctoral programmes at local universities and higher education institutions, drawing mixed responses from the university community.

“The doctoral programmes at home will include all disciplines divided into five clusters that include the faculties of science in Tripoli, Misurata, Sebha, Benghazi, and Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar,” said Omran Al-Qayeb, the minister of higher education and scientific research, at the launch event earlier in May 2023.

Al-Qayeb stressed the importance of local PhD programmes “to benefit from the expertise and competencies in the universities along with saving [students] the trouble of travel and study abroad expenses”. He emphasised that the ministry will be a major supporter in overcoming any obstacles facing the rest of the faculties determined to take the same step.

“It is worth noting that 70% of the educational, literary and social specialisations are available in Libyan universities, which will be competitive with international universities during the coming period,” Al-Qayeb added.

A cautious welcome

Samia Alkedrwey, teaching assistant and a doctoral student in the faculty of science at the University of Misurata, told University World News: “I welcome the launch of PhD programmes at Libyan universities but, at the same time, we must deal with the difficulties and challenges so that the programmes can succeed.

“It is very important for doctoral programmes to be available on home soil to get home-grown PhD holders who are capable of producing local knowledge for the developing innovation-based economy,” Alkedrwey said.

“Local doctoral programmes also help in tackling the problem of academic brain drain and save financial resources spent on programmes for study at foreign universities worldwide,” he pointed out.

The challenges facing doctoral programmes include a shortage of doctorate faculty members which could limit the availability of supervisors to support new entrants into the doctoral programme as well as insufficient research infrastructure and up-to-date scientific journals. Governance and funding arrangements are also challenging, Alkedrwey said.

“We must not give up on this future initiative and keep pushing on the rocky road to educate the new generation. The beginning is always the hardest part of the process.”

Study abroad

Marzouga Elaoklee, a lecturer in the faculty of science at the University of Derna, Al Qubbah, said that Libyan universities are not ready for managing doctoral programmes because of a lack of laboratories, equipment and necessary materials as well as too few faculty members in some disciplines.

“What is required, is equipping modern laboratories for disciplines such as physics and chemistry and sending the largest possible number of masters holders abroad while encouraging scientific research,” Elaoklee said.

Enhancing research competencies

Abdel Qader Al-Warfalli, a graduate of Bani Waleed University, said that Libyan universities and academies for graduate studies are “not ready at all” to manage doctoral programmes because they lack the simplest things, which are classrooms and libraries.

“What is required is that the ministry of higher education and scientific research formulates a comprehensive plan to enhance research competencies of universities before launching any doctoral programmes,” Al-Warfalli said.

This plan must enhance the capabilities of universities and higher education institutions to extend knowledge about an important topic through research, and to provide training to the PhD student to develop competencies to be an effective researcher for employment either at universities, scientific and medical institutes or in non-research industries in the governmental and private sector.

Home-grown collaborative PhD programme

Professor Ahmed Attia, the head of faculty affairs at the faculty of medical technology at the University of Tripoli, told University World News that, “Libyan universities are not ready to start doctoral programmes unless they improve the infrastructure and provide research funds for each student.”

Furthermore, a lack of continuous training makes most academic staff lack skills that are necessary for postgraduate programmes, Attia said.

“Following the upgrading of Libyan universities to research and post-graduate level higher learning institutions, I think the most suitable approach is establishing home-grown collaborative PhD programmes (HCPP) where different Libyan universities, higher education institutions and the industry work collaboratively through sharing their staff, finance, infrastructure and facilities.

“Besides enhancing the relevance and quality of PhD programmes, HCPP will also foster sustainable local relationships, collaboration, partnerships, and networking among universities and the industry and build in-home capacity for research and advanced scientific services,” Attia pointed out. He added that the efficiency of the system would be improved through holistic resource sharing along with integrating research with industry and national development priorities.