Chasing a Degree — Dash or Marathon?
It’s that time of year again, when we present the colleges and universities that confer the most undergraduate degrees to students of color in a variety of disciplines. Be sure to read Dr. Victor Borden’s
“Interpreting the Data” to get a better sense of how the colleges and universities are ranked, along with any trends that emerged from the 2004-2005 data.
I should point out, however, that schools affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita did not have to report their numbers this year. So you won’t see the traditional recipients, such as Xavier University of Louisiana as a top producer of Black degree-holders in the biological sciences. In addition, don’t forget to check out our Top 100 graduate and professional edition, which comes out July 13.
When Diverse senior editor Christina Asquith suggested attending the Innovations in Education Symposium in Doha, Qatar, we all thought it was a great opportunity. Christina, who is no stranger to the Middle East after reporting on the Iraq War for two years, was struck by the differences between the two Arab countries.
“You haven’t experienced the Middle East without visiting the Gulf Arab states,” she says. “While Iraq and Iran are reeling backwards, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are moving into the future at a phenomenal speed. They see themselves as the Hong Kong of the Arab world.”
What the Qatari royal family is doing with their immense wealth is fascinating. They have assembled five top U.S. universities, which together comprise a 2,500-acre compound called “Education City.” There are also plans underway to bring over an American journalism school, business school and teaching hospital. The foundation that oversees Education City covers the salaries and living expenses of U.S. faculty, including housing and a car allowance. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of the professors, not to mention for the Qatari students who are able to receive an American-style education without leaving their home countries.
