Education and the UAE

The International Enterprise Singapore, a quasi-government body, is organising a trade mission for education providers from Singapore to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi from 4 February 2007 to 8 February 2007. During this mission, mission delegates will get to meet government officials involved in education in the UAE as well as visit some of the educational institutions in these 2 emirates.

I am of the view that there is tremendous potential in this industry, what with the private schools increasing their fees by at least 50% for the new academic year. While I hated some aspects of the Singaporean education system while I was in school (too much emphasis on exams, too little emphasis on projects and creativity), the system has played an important role in the one and only resource that Singapore has ever had - human resource. Any country that is looking to strengthen the skills and knowledge of its population ought to take a look at the education system of Singapore and adopt the finer points of the system.

Interested parties should contact the IE Singapore to participate in this trade mission. If you are an education provider in the UAE and you are looking to collaborate on or provide some educational or corporate training programs, I would encourage you to meet the mission delegates to explore the possibilities of a joint venture or a consultation.