KNOWLEDGE FUND ESTABLISHMENT FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION ON THE OPENING DAY OF EDEX MENA

The Knowledge Fund Establishment (KFE) brought into focus today the importance of sustainable investment in the education sector during its participation at the 11th edition of EdEx MENA, which runs from 9-10 November. 

As the official Knowledge Partner of EdEx MENA, and in the presence of leaders and practitioners across all education tiers, KFE highlighted its educational initiatives and projects, as well as presented case studies based on its own Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) models. 

At the opening, Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge Fund Establishment, delivered the keynote address titled ‘Renewing The Global Perspective: Creating A Knowledge-Driven Economy For The Post-Oil Era’. In his speech, he focused on accessible education, and the role KFE plays to support the needs of both Emirati and expat students in the community. 

Since its founding in 2007, the Establishment has been developing the knowledge sector in Dubai through sustainable investment, comprising educational land bank exceeding 35 million square feet, and several educational initiatives including public-private sector partnerships. 

Through its land bank, KFE provides plots for various educational establishments including nurseries, early learning centers, schools, and universities looking to construct purpose-built campuses. As of 2022, it has facilitated through its education partners the opening of over 50 facilities between schools, nurseries, and early learning centers, enrolling more than 86K students till date. 

“Since our founding, KFE has invested continuously in the development of the education sector through various initiatives that are aligned with Dubai’s Education Strategy,” said Al Awar, explaining KFE contributes to the UAE’s vision of a knowledge economy to drive development and social growth.

At EdEx MENA, considered one of the region’s most transformative industry events, KFE added its voice to industry discussions on improving education delivery and student engagement in the region in the presence of educators, edtech specialists, and regulators shaping the region’s education sector. 

This push for a knowledge-based economy is evident through education platforms such as EdEx MENA as well as global rankings. In the 2021 Global Knowledge Index (GKI), the UAE ranked first in the Arab World and 11th globally among 154 countries. The indices were published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF). 

Whether the indicators are knowledge sectors such as pre-university, technical, professional, or higher education, or the ability to build knowledge in societies and develop future oriented policies, Al Awar said KFE works with both private and public sector stakeholders to close investment gaps in land allocation and increase access to certain geographies. “The Knowledge Fund Establishment has seen first-hand how PPPs can make high quality education services accessible to residents and at the same time, leverage the private sector’s capabilities and efficiency,” he said.  

One of the key educational initiatives KFE supports is ‘Dubai Schools’ launched in 2021 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. The initiative has introduced a new model of private schools with internationally recognized curricula delivered by reputable private sector operators and a focus on Arabic literacy, science and technology, UAE culture and Islamic studies, and reinforces the successful model of public-private sector partnerships that achieve over-arching goal of the development of this vital sector. 

The Dubai Schools project currently has 3 branches in its network that are being managed by Taaleem as the operator and has resulted in the enrollment of close to 2,000 students. 

“We believe PPP models serve our strategic goals of creating sustainable knowledge-based societies. In line with the UAE Government’s vision, government entities such as ours work hand in hand with the private sector to improve the quality of education, and in turn, develop Dubai’s human, social and economic status,” said Al Awar.

Education remains a top government priority to create a diversified, knowledge-based economy and reduce the dependency on oil. Other KFE initiatives include the Mohammed Bin Rashid Distinguished Students Program that provides scholarships for more than 300 outstanding Emirati students and the Heyama Schools initiative serving more than 2290 children of Dubai Police employees.