Title: Nanotechnology centres of higher education: trends and challenges

Authors: Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Darrab, Sayed Aliul Hasan Rizvi, Zahid A. Khan, Sheikh Imran Ishrat

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. ' Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. ' Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. ' Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Technological advancements demand higher education and higher education leads to technological advancements. Today|s technological institutes have to cope up with not only the dynamic industrial scenarios at the global level, but also the demands of huge investment and skilled manpower. Present paper explored the status of educational facilities already available in the area of nanotechnology, especially with reference to developing countries, in general, and the Arab world, in particular. It was found that mostly such facilities are located in |advanced| countries, and that many developing nations including Arab world countries have yet to take-off their flights. With the meagre resources of money-power and required skill, how such countries like Saudi Arabia have to manage their education, research and training in the field are discussed.

Keywords: nanotechnology education; higher education; developing countries; nanotechnology centres; nanotechnology research; training.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2009.028790

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2009 Vol.2 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.522-533

Published online: 30 Sep 2009 *

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