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This article provides an overview of the role of distance learning within Saudi Arabia by first briefly introducing the country itself, a general overview of the traditional education system currently in use within the country, and then an examination of the status of distance education in Saudi higher educational settings. Insight into how distance education can be successfully implemented, as well as the potential educational advantages that may arise with the further adoption of distance education in Saudi Arabia are presented. The adoption of distance education within Saudi Arabia can help address the issue of the educational overcrowding and the steady increase of the demand of Saudi students for higher education credentials, as well as empower Saudi female students to overcome social and cultural obstacles.
SAUDI ARABIA: THE COUNTRY
Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab country of the Middle East, with a population of approximately 30 million citizens and an average age of 25.3 years (Almutairy, Davies, & Dimitriadi, 2015; Alrashidi & Phan, 2015). The country, founded in 1932, was impoverished until the discovery of oil in 1938 (Alshehry & Belloumi, 2015). Saudi Arabia in 1960 became one of the founding members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Alamri, 2011). Endowed with vast fossil fuel resources, Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest holder of crude oil reserves as well as the world's largest exporter of oil, making energy exports the most important component of the country's gross domestic product (Alrashidi & Phan, 2015; Alshehry & Belloumi, 2015). The immense revenue coming from oil makes the country one of the leading economic powers and the fastest growing economy in the Middle East and North Africa (Alrashidi & Phan, 2015).
Saudi Arabia is located within Southwest Asia, and is bordered by eight countries: Jordan and Iraq to the north; Kuwait to the northeast; Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to the east; Oman to the southeast; and Yemen to the south. Saudi Arabia occupies 80% of the Arabian Peninsula, and has a strong relationship with the Gulf countries (i.e., Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). This close relationship resulted in the establishment in 1981 of the Gulf Cooperation Council to strengthen regional economic integration among these...