UAE more attractive for higher education institutions than China, Singapore

International K-12 institutions and higher education systems will continue their expansion into the GCC, in particular the UAE, as the region offers still untapped potential for growth.

Organisers of the forthcoming International and Private Schools Education Forum in Dubai, to be held on 23-24 September at the Knowledge Village Auditorium, have gathered global experts in the field of the education business to share insights on what challenges and opportunities exist for private school operators in the region.

A recent presentation made by The Parthenon Group, a leading international advisory firm focused on strategy consulting, declares the UAE as having the largest market opportunity in the K-12 and Higher Education segments for international operators.

Comparing data from the fastest markets around the world, the UAE boasts a market size for K-12 education that is valued at $1.9bn, compared to $1.7bn in China, and $.7bn in Singapore.

In the higher education segment, the UAE recorded a 6% growth rate in international students entering tertiary education, according to the latest available date, as opposed to -11% growth rate in Singapore, while no data was posted for China.

"Dubai’s continued prominence as a commercial hub in the region has driven the demand for quality, international education standards, largely prompted by growth in the schooling population among national and expatriate residents. The opportunities and challenges will be assessed by an international panel of experts who are expected to share their insights on what will help define the parameters for growth of the private education sector in the years to come," said Mark Roelofsen, Co-Founder, IPSEF.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), will deliver the keynote address and will highlight Dubai’s initiatives at developing its rapidly growing education segment.

Meanwhile, Ashwin Assomull, Partner, The Parthenon Group, will discuss pricing regulations of the K-12 sector, exploring how fees impact operators and investors as well as their importance in effecting school choice for parents. The session will specifically explore the impact of regulations on the sector in Dubai and present case studies of best practice fee regulation from Parthenon’s work in over 50 cities globally. The session will also explain how different fee regulations could affect the sector in Dubai and the greater region.

Education investment will also be a highlight of first day of the conference, with Jose Rodriguez, Director, Sovereign Capital, delivering an insightful presentation on companies investing in education, from the early years to the tertiary level.

At the higher education level, the UAE also shows promising opportunities for transnational education (TNE) operators. Dubai’s education landscape has seen the establishment of branch campuses of many international higher education systems.

In fact, again based on the research conducted by The Parthenon Group, the TNE market in Dubai is among the fastest growing in the world, recording a 15% growth rate in the last few years, with revenues reaching $148mn.

Analysing regulatory attractiveness among TNE destination markets such as Singapore and Malaysia, Dubai has proven to offer the most favourable regulations for setting up an institution, scoring high among operators surveyed by The Parthenon Group based on ease of regulations, time required to obtain approvals, ease of entry, and ownership among other significant factors.

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