17/09/2017 05:10 AST
The prospects for the higher education sector in the UAE is bright, experts speaking at the forthcoming IPSEF Higher Education Forum said.
UAE-based universities have grown consistently in enrolments and revenues at a robust compound annual growth rate of 8-10 percent. The overall student base across local and international university campuses in UAE is estimated to be 162,000, with Dubai hosting around 60,000 students, of which 20 percent are graduate students and 80 percent are in undergraduate level programs.
The current overall revenue base for the higher education market in the UAE is estimated to be over $1bn, and with the sector expected to witness the entry of new players, the market will only increase in value in the next few years.
The data was revealed by Higher Education, UAE whose co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Ajay Shukla will be heading a panel in IPSEF Higher Education Forum on Transnational Higher Education – Opportunities and Challenges. He will be joined by Cathy Gilbert, Director of External Relations, University of Birmingham; Tariq Shaikh Managing Director, R J Fleming and Partner at RHT Partners; and Jitin Sethi, Senior Vice President, Parthenon-EY.
Taking place on 4-5 October 2017 at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel the IPSEF Higher Education Forum builds upon the successful series of school conferences from the IPSEF stable of high-level business events for the international education community.
This HE-focused conference will address four key stakeholder groups involved in the higher education sector, about opportunities for expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, including colleges and universities who are looking to set-up branches or a new campus in the region, operators of existing higher education institutions, regulators as well as the supplier community that provides products, services and solutions for the higher education sector.
“The region has seen a tremendous growth in the higher education sector, driven by the increase of enrollment in both state colleges and universities as well as private institutions including branch campuses of many well-established entities from abroad that are expected to fill in a growing demand. We believe this new stream will be a suitable venue for sharing best practices and new insights on how the various stakeholder groups can take advantage of the opportunities and mitigate the risks,” said Mark Roelofsen, co-founder, IPSEF.
The UAE is home to one of the largest concentrations of university campuses and programs in the world. Higher Education in the Emirates reflects the population diversity (85 percent expatriates) with campuses from UK, USA, Australia, France, Russia, India and other countries. UAE has also created sector specific free-zones infrastructure including Masdar City, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai World Central (transport and logistics), Dubai Design District (D3) that provide a pathway to employability and industry exposure.
Robust local market and access to the broader region with potential to draw students from GCC and MENASA regions make it an attractive hub for student diversity. The key geographies are UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan and more recently North Africa and Eastern Europe/CIS.
“Due to clear, consistent and responsive regulations governing setting up of branch campuses or new universities, liberal student/faculty visas, and incubation infrastructure support the UAE market offers a unique opportunity and early mover advantage in establishing a high quality, globally reputed institution. Further, a liberal and modern society is an attraction for high quality academic and professional talent. It is now at an inflexion point of raising the quality and market relevance o
Saudi Gazette
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