EdEx MENA returns to Dubai for another successful edition uniting leaders in private education

Registrations are now open for a power-packed 2 days with an exhibition, premium conference, and free-to-attend seminars for educators of all levels

In collaboration with Dubai International Academic City, the conference brings together some of the region’s most influential education stakeholders from Knowledge Fund Establishment – Government of Dubai, Ministry of Investment - Saudi Arabia, Colliers and more... 

The 11th edition of EdEx MENA will run from 9 – 10 November 2022 at the Conrad Dubai, UAE. EdEx MENA is co-located with Education Investment MENA, a premium conference for regulators, educators, investors, and business owners. This all – encompassing education event by Informa Connect, promises to unlock new opportunities, technologies, and products to elevate MENA’s private education sector and set new global standards for education delivery and innovation.

Enrolment at international schools in the MENA region has seen a sharp increase of 19.5% over the last 6 years, with UAE leading the count in pupil numbers, followed closely by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar. A burgeoning private education market has paved the way for new investors, international teaching talent, education technology products and service providers. With EdEx MENA, our aim is to unite this community and increase their contribution to the knowledge economy, enhancing the impact this has on the region’s youth, society, and overall economic progress. 

EdEx MENA, organised in partnership with Knowledge Partner, Knowledge Fund Establishment – Government of Dubai, and supported by Dubai International Academic City, is aligned with the government’s vision of leading sustainable investment growth in the education sector, making access to quality education possible for all. 

Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge Fund Establishment – Government of Dubai, who will give the opening address at the conference, is resolute in his mission to support the growth of the knowledge sector in Dubai. ‘The development of human capital is the cornerstone of a knowledge-based economy, which has been a strategic priority of the UAE Government with significant strides achieved in the education sector. It is vital for education stakeholders and investors to come together and continue the journey of excellence through identifying new areas of development, embracing latest technologies, and fuelling strategic initiatives that would further develop the sector.’ 

On behalf of Dubai International Academic City, Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President – Commercial Leasing at TECOM Group PJSC, said: “As the region’s learning hub, we champion the importance of education in sustainably advancing our key industries with skilled talent and brilliant minds. Our leadership has always emphasised the role of education as the backbone of sustainable economic development, ensuring the availability of skilled and innovation-minded talent across key sectors. 

“By supporting initiatives such as EdEx, we aim to nurture and attract high standards of academic excellence, reinforcing our appeal to ambitious students who will fuel the success and advancement of our industries, and that of the wider region. We will continue to encourage future professionals and skilled talent in making the UAE an increasingly popular choice for students and universities alike and enabling the country’s vision to become a pioneering global destination for education.” 

Dr Munirah Alaboudi, Education Segment Director, Ministry of Investment, Saudi Arabia will also speak at the conference, giving insight into the Kingdom’s development plan for the education sector in line with Vision 2030. ‘The education sector is transforming at a phenomenal pace. From improving recruitment and development of teachers, to re-thinking curricula and teaching methods, our focus is to develop a learning eco-system that strengthens students’ core values, while simultaneously imparting skills required by the workforce of the future,’ she added.

Mansoor Ahmed, Executive Director & Head of Development Solutions, Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure & PPP, MEA Region at Colliers, commented, ‘The project infrastructure of educational institutes today demands a more sophisticated approach, to deliver on their promise of academic excellence. Research facilities, science labs, multi-purpose halls, digitised classrooms, and sports fields – the blueprint is complex but integrated. Our objective is to help education providers and operators build exceptional premises and contribute to advancing education in the region.’ Mansoor will lead an industry insight session at the conference, delving into the market for private international schools in KSA & Egypt.

‘Year after year, EdEx MENA offers a breeding ground for edtech service providers, investors, and leading educators in the region to explore new innovations, ideas, and services, concluded Ryan O’Donnell, Portfolio Director & Special Projects, Informa Connect. ‘We invite the private education community to partake in the accelerated growth of the sector, form new business partnerships and seek ways to evolve their teaching strategies.’

EdEx MENA will run from 9 – 10 November 2022 at the Conrad Dubai, UAE. Visitors will have access to 12+ free seminars and 30+ exhibitors over 2 days of learnings, insights, and networking. The Education Investment MENA conference, co-located with EdEx MENA, will run simultaneously for a cohort of paid delegates giving them exclusive access to industry experts and thought leaders.

Visitor registration for EdEx MENA is free. Sign up here – https://bit.ly/3yLxqtD

For delegate packages and group bookings for Education Investment MENA, please contact Shruti Ahluwalia at shruti.ahluwalia@informa.com / +971 55 176 0524.