How the UK can aid the GCC to harness EdTech for inclusive learning

There is a growing market in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) for UK education, with a wave of firms expanding into the region. For example, Scotland’s Strathclyde University and Sheffield-based National Overseas College Network are set to open new campuses and training centres in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

This comes as GCC nations have focused on education and made substantial investments in improving and enhancing the knowledge industry over the years. Saudi Arabia, for instance, committed nearly 17 per cent of its overall expenditure plan in 2023 towards education which reflects its transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

This change acknowledges the post-pandemic era evolution in education, which has seen a shift from traditional classroom-based learning to innovative online platforms.

With education technologies (EdTech) such as online courses and virtual reality experiences more accessible than ever before, education is becoming personalised and multidimensional, catering to individual learning styles and interests.

Opportunities for growth

Trade between the UK and GCC from the past 12 months stands at GBP59bn at the end of March 2024, according to data from the UK Department for Business and Trade. This can be grown further through partnerships and collaborations, across a range of industries and especially the EdTech sector.

The GCC states can benefit from partnering with the UK, which boasts a robust tech scene, which has been valued at over $1.1tn. This sector offers a wealth of opportunities for collaboration and investment.

In recent years, the strength and success of UK’s EdTech sector has garnered significant attention from global investors. The UK retained the top spot in Europe in 2023 in terms of both venture capital funding and deal numbers – with a total of $547m in 2023, more than 3.5X the levels observed in 2020. UK startups secured almost 3X of the number secured in the second-placed market, France.

Research published in 2022 estimated that there are over 1,000 EdTech companies in England alone. While some of these companies operate exclusively in the UK, others are already active in international markets such as the EU and GCC.

EdTech trends

Furthering the competitiveness of British EdTech companies is the recent trend of artificial intelligence (AI), which is transforming lives on a rapid scale. Among the tectonic shifts brought about by this technology is its increasingly pivotal role in revolutionising education, streamlining administrative tasks, and enhancing classroom efficiency.

The UK could make more than half a trillion pounds in the next decade by embracing AI and cloud technology, with AI projected to boost the country’s GDP by GBP550bn by 2035. The UK’s AI capabilities, particularly in reducing teacher workloads and improving efficiency, align with the goals of GCC countries to enhance educational outcomes.

Additionally, the wide adoption of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs), and cloud-based Learning Management Systems (LMS) presents avenues for expanding access to quality education in the region.

Positive impact

Texthelp, an education software company from the UK, exemplifies the type of EdTech platform that countries across the GCC are deploying to enhance their education system.

Texthelp’s mission of ensuring everyone has the tools to understand and be understood aligns with the goals of GCC governments to expand access to education. Texthelp designs products which support students with reading, writing, and math difficulties. This includes providing essential tools such as text-to-speech, predictive spelling, and grammar assistance, meaning that students are provided with tools that complement their varying abilities and learning styles. The company’s technologies are deployed in over 50 countries across the globe.

Moreover, Texthelp’s focus on accessibility is crucial for the aims of the region in providing quality education for all students. By offering features like picture dictionaries and tools specifically tailored for math, Texthelp enables students with diverse needs to participate fully in the learning process.

Furthermore, Texthelp’s collaboration with technology giants like Google and Microsoft demonstrates its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

Partnering for progress

Like Texthelp, which has helped millions of students over the past 28 years, the UK’s EdTech sector is commercially mature, and the integration of technology underscores its readiness to meet the evolving needs of education.

By leveraging the UK’s expertise and innovative technologies, governments across the region can accelerate their educational innovation and harness the immense potential of their youth, for the future.

To find out more about working with the UK businesses to make your vision a reality, visit great.gov.uk/gcc.