Sharjah - Cologne, 24 February 2019

Expo Centre Sharjah concluded its participation in Didacta - die Bildungsmesse in Cologne, Germany, one of the largest educational shows in Europe held from February 19 to 23, in order to enhance the ties with European partners, especially in the education sector and to promote for the International Education Show 2020 in Sharjah.

Expo Center's booth displayed a variety of leading educational resources as well as information on the UAE education sector and the advantages of taking part in the International Education Show as a key gateway to the GCC and Middle East market. The booth also highlighted Sharjah's infrastructure as an ideal destination for international conferences and exhibitions, in accordance with the vision of H.H. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Face to face meeting with decision-makers in Europe

In this context, Expo Center CEO H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, who led the delegation to Didacta Education Fair, stressed the importance of participating in this international fair, which represents a unique platform to meet face to face with decision-makers in the education sector in Europe, with the presence of more than 800 exhibitors from 40 countries. The show is expected to attract close to 100,000 visitors.

'Our participation comes in the framework of establishing Sharjah on the map of the education sector in the world and as part of the Expo Center's Strategic Plan 2018-2022 to take part in a number of prestigious international exhibitions. The aim is to promote Sharjah in the world's leading international events, and highlight the international exhibitions organized by the Center and its distinctive services and benefits offered to the exhibitors; thus contributing to the consolidation of its vital role, as a regional platform attracting foreign companies to strengthen their wide presence in the UAE and the various Gulf and the Middle East countries”, Al Midfa said.

Sustainable investment in knowledge

“Education has always been a high priority for the UAE, which has continued to invest in developing itself into knowledge-based economy as a sustainable investment, given the role of education as a major driver in building the country's competitiveness, drawing on continuous learning and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation', said Al Midfa. He added, “We are participating in this international show to strengthen our role in the booming education sector, enhance the ties, attract exhibitors and visitors from all over Europe, and gain valuable experience from the German show”.

Factors of educational prosperity in the region

He pointed out that investment opportunities in education in the GCC region are based on several factors that make it the focus of attracting international companies, namely the growing school age population, high per capita income, continued government spending and long-term strategic government initiatives. The International Education Show as grown phenomenally taking advantage of these favorable factors and attracts scores of foreign universities and other educational institutions every year. The 15th International Education Show 2019 featured more than 100 educational institutions and attracted 25,000 visitors during its three-day run. It also attracted the attention of a wide range of students and academic institutions locally and internationally, in light of the unprecedented prosperity witnessed by the higher education sector in the region, namely in the UAE.

According to a recent study, the total number of students in the GCC is projected to reach 14.5 million by 2022, registering a compound aggregate growth rate of 2.3% from an estimated 12.9 million in 2017, thereby offering a very attractive market not only for foreign investors, but also foreign universities looking for talented students.