Madina newspaper LAST week the Higher Education Exhibition and Conference was held in Riyadh, the turnout was high with over 450 universities from 39 countries participating. Truly, it was one of the most successful exhibitions held in the Kingdom in terms of organization and the tangible benefits it provided to male and female students who went home with a greater understanding of how universities from all over the world operate. Students were made aware of their capabilities and potential and were exposed to different education systems. The objective was also to help Saudi universities interact and exchange expertise and academic partnerships with some of the world's most prestigious universities. The foreign universities had admirable objectives and they conveyed their messages economically. Their pavilions were small and modest yet provided a plethora of information. However, Saudi universities were the complete opposite. The pavilions run by the Ministry of Higher Education and Saudi universities were extravagant and resembled a spectacular pageant. As is the general trend in our institutions, the pavilions seemed to confirm that we give preference to superficial goals. Saudi universities vied with each other to erect big pavilions that were spread out over an area of at least 50 square meters, were decorated with pictures and waterfalls and even gave away gifts! Considering the SR11,000 rent and the additional amount spent on erecting the pavilions, I am sure the amounts our universities spent exceeded tens of millions of riyals. All this money was thrown away on an exhibition that lasted only three-and-a-half days. Enough wasting on superficial matters and decorations. We ought to be modest and achieve our goals at the least expense possible. __
