Dr. Sultan’s thinking reflects on the Arabian matters and gives special attention to Arabian performance and administration. In addition to allocating valuable and prestigious awards for those who hold a doctoral thesis in administrative sciences. These awards have remained vividly vibrant over the past years and he gives them a new life and prepares them for the future by reshaping the award’s board of trustees.
These are among a remarkable number of prizes assigned by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. All of this effort definitely contributed to the conception of an important Arab renaissance. One that is far from the stereotypical image of the modern Arab. Henceforth, he was a reader and a writer of history. Therefore, he clings to the dream through the consciousness of experience. The news of reconfiguring the award board raises the question of Arab doctoral thesis in every science and field. It may even put Arabian thesis or research in its entirety under the light, as well as in-depth scientific research written by Arabs in general. However, the focus here on doctoral thesis is towards ensuring authenticity. In addition to scientific competence and authorization by competent bodies, which include the elite experts, academics and university professors.
With regards to the matter, where do tens, hundreds and thousands of doctoral thesis conducted in the Arab world go to? These cohesive scientific researches are written in various fields of science, arts and literature. However, only a little, very little indeed are published and most of them remain inscribed and locked in drawers or corners of darkness. The question is: for how long? The highlight is that such a thesis answers questions and raise problems with their proposed solutions. A numerous number of those is related to heritage, reality, or the future. Lots of them are innovative, renewing, unprecedented and many of them are useful in a meaningful sense for the lives of the citizens in the researcher's country and in the greater Arab world. Though, in the end, such a thesis is ultimately neglected in darkness.
What if Arab institutions and "states" played serious and persistent roles, such as the one played by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah? What if the Arabs believed in the role of Dr. Sultan? Where is the respect for science, thought and the efforts of scholars or thinkers? Where are the Arab governments, research centers and universities? Where are the supposed supportive sectors, on top of which is the business sector? And where is the concept of partnership that is being devoted today locally with the hope that it becomes a vision of the Arabs from the Arabian Gulf to the Atlantic?
Institutional support is necessary at the level of governments and the private sectors. Otherwise, Arab dialogue regarding science, thought, culture and research will be in vain and will go unheeded. A better and a beautiful future will not be achieved in the Arab world except with more respect for science and a higher appreciation of scholars. As for nostalgia for the golden ages of the Arabs, it will not go beyond mere feelings which are powerless if they lack credibility and honesty in regard to such emotions.
The way forward is clear: science is of the most important priorities. A part of respecting it, is indeed by celebrating those who practice it. So that improper questions regarding doctoral thesis and their expertise are not raised. Arab scholars and specialists today in Arabian countries, and in the world find themselves welcomed in foreign countries. Besides, receiving the embraces and celebration which they deserve there. And we wonder of how we arrived at the problem presented in the migration of Arab minds.
Source: Al Khaleej Newspaper