Dubai: The private education sector in the UAE is one of the biggest in the world and is set to grow further, according to international experts who are arriving in Dubai for a major education conference.
AT $1.9billion (Dhs6 billion) the private education sector in the UAE is bigger than that of China and is one of the strongest in the world. However, with the expatriate population booming in the country, more players are entering the field.
The subject will be explored further in a conference from October 8 to 12 with entitled “Education Investment MENA”.
“Education opportunities in the Gulf are taking off. The UAE leads the world in private education in terms of its business models and different product offerings.
“Its market size currently stands at a staggering $1.9 billion with China a little behind with $1.8 billion.
The UAE has been and will continue to be the strongest private education market in the world,” said Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive of Better Broader Deeper (BBD) Education, a UAE and UK based educational institute, and chairman at this year’s Education Investment MENA Conference.
Tabberer described Dubai as the “prototype for how the world will grow better education systems”.
“Investors have always shown interest in the UAE, especially Dubai, because of its promising returns. With the growing number of expats in the region, growth in the private education sector will never stagnate,” he added.
Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director-General of Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the strategic partner of the event said: “Private education in the MENA region is ready for increased investment.
“High youth numbers and the impact of the Arab Spring are driving much of this growth.
“Private education is resilient to the booms and busts of normal business cycles and offers solid returns for investors that can provide students with good quality education.
“As with any important investment decision, reducing risk is critical and it is advisable to choose locations that are well-regulated.”
The demand for investment is now so well established in the UAE that many internationally renowned institutions are exploring opportunities in Dubai, including UK school Millfield.
David Williamson, Chair of the International Campus Committee for Millfield School, said: “There is enormous demand for exceptional quality education systems in the UAE, and Millfield School is exploring opportunities for establishment in the UAE in partnership with CERT. We see great potential to expand into this region.”
The Education Investment MENA Conference will highlight major opportunities for educational operators, investors and financers in the Middle East and North Africa’s booming education market.
The first two days of the event include presentations from various speakers including; Dino Varkey of GEMS Education, Edward Hobart –The British Consul-General to Dubai, Dimitris Tsitsiragos of the IFC, Jens Yahya Zimmermann of New Silk Route Growth Capital, Fahim Muscatwalla of Abraaj Capital and Dr Ayoub Kazim of Dubai International Academic City.
