Mega Events Generate Better Demand For Higher Education

The US$3 billion private education sector in the country is growing at a fast pace, propelled by a 30 per cent increase in the number of students and its expected tripling in the next few years, according to industry experts at a higher education fair in Sharjah.

They also pointed out the rising demand for career-oriented higher education programmes in the wake of hundreds of thousands of job opportunities that will be generated by mega events like the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, which is followed by FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Reflecting the buoyancy of the industry, senior executives of educational institutions, academics, professionals, investors and students got together at the opening of the region’s premier higher education fair – the 10th International Education Show – at Expo Centre Sharjah on Wednesday (January 29).

The four-day show was jointly inaugurated by Mr. Marwan Al Sawaleh, Under Secretary of UAE Ministry of Education and Mr. Saeed Musabah Al Kaabi, Chairman of Sharjah Education Council. It was attended by Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah, among other dignitaries and guests.

According to the latest available reports, for the 2012-2013 academic years, the number of government and private schools stood at 1,276 in the country, with a student body of 727,918. The increase in student population is expected to attract more investments and drive demand for more schools in the region, with an expected growth of a CAGR of 1.2 per cent from 2010 to 2020.

“The higher education sector in the country is growing at a fast pace currently on the back of increased private sector investments, rising demand as well as concerted efforts by the government to enhance the education system. The unprecedented rise in the number of exhibitors at the International Education Show reflects this boom,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

The International Education Show (IES) has registered a 31 per cent rise in the number of exhibitors, with the four-day show featuring nearly 150 institutions. Though the show has been growing steadily since its launch a decade ago, such a huge rise in the number of exhibitors is first in its history.

“The International Education Show is now in its landmark 10th edition and it has contributed immensely in promoting the UAE as an educational hub, with the country now seen as one of the most attractive education destinations in the world,” he added.

For the second consecutive time, IES is also hosting more than 60 exhibitors from India through the Great India Education Fair, under the aegis of AFAIRS Exhibitions & Media, providing students an opportunity to directly meet admission directors of India’s leading and recognised universities and colleges that offer a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s programmes.

“IES is the best higher education platform in the region if you look at the variety of higher degrees being offered by a large number of universities from across the world. Besides, with the UAE home of people from nearly 200 nationalities, every participating institution, be it local or foreign, is receiving good number of students planning to their pursue higher education,” added Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.

He also pointed out that a bigger stress on Emiratisation, a growing economy and events like World Expo 2020 will give rise to more job opportunities for both nationals and expatriates in the near future.

The show will be open at Expo Centre Sharjah till Saturday, 1st February and the timings are as follows: 9 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm on 29th, 30th January and 1st February. On Friday, it is open from 4 pm to 8 pm only.

Emirate:  Sharjah

Date: Jan 29, 2014

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