Education

Middlesex University-owner eyes bigger growth in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia-listed Almasar Alshamil Education has unveiled plans to expand its special needs education network across Saudi Arabia and bring international universities into the Kingdom, as it accelerates regional growth following its Tadawul listing.

The company said its 2026 agenda centres on scaling physical infrastructure, broadening academic offerings, and deepening partnerships across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The roadmap follows Almasar’s decision late last year to list 30 per cent of its share capital on the Saudi Exchange. The group operates across special needs education and care services in Saudi Arabia and private higher education in the UAE.

Majed Al Mutairi, chief executive officer of Almasar Alshamil Education, said the listing has strengthened the company’s platform for expansion across both markets. “The beginning of a new year is a moment to reflect on responsibility and opportunity. Following our successful listing on the Saudi Exchange, we enter the year with a strong platform for growth and a clear mandate to deliver impact.

“As education continues to play a central role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and UAE Vision 2030, our focus remains on scaling inclusive, future-ready education that delivers real outcomes for learners and society,” he said.

Special needs expansion

Saudi Arabia will remain the primary growth market, with Almasar planning to open new Special Needs Education and Care centres and schools in multiple regions. The expansion builds on its Human Development Company platform, which currently operates 39 daycare centres, 14 schools and three clinics serving about 8,000 beneficiaries.

The company said new facilities will focus on specialised education, rehabilitation and residential services. It also plans to expand digital systems used for standardised rehabilitation programmes, outcome measurement and personalised care delivery.

Almasar said it intends to bring reputed international universities into Saudi Arabia in the coming years as part of a broader higher education push. The company did not disclose potential partners, capital commitments or timelines.

Higher education build-out

The move would mark a shift beyond its current Saudi focus on special needs education into mainstream higher education provision. Almasar positioned the plan as aligned with national efforts to expand domestic university capacity.

In the UAE, Almasar plans to expand programmes across its university portfolio, which includes Middlesex University Dubai, Abu Dhabi University and Liwa University. The group said it will continue building degrees in artificial intelligence, business analytics, cybersecurity and applied sciences.

New programmes linked to labour market demand are also in development. The company said employability, applied learning and internationalisation will remain core priorities supported by industry partnerships and work-integrated learning.

Technology, partnerships

Almasar said AI-enabled learning tools, data analytics platforms and digital research systems will play a larger role in teaching and student services. It positioned technology as central to both higher education delivery and special needs care operations.

The company also said partnership development will underpin growth across Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Planned collaboration areas include international academic alliances, private-sector training partnerships and public-sector engagement.

Almasar reported revenue of SAR 336 million in the first nine months of 2025, representing 24 percent year-on-year growth, with EBITDA of SAR 129 million. Total students and beneficiaries reached about 28,000 across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The company said the Tadawul listing strengthens its ability to fund expansion across special needs education and higher education. Its longer-term strategy centres on building an integrated education platform spanning early intervention, schooling, university education and workforce pathways.

Education

UNESCO selects Sharjah for pioneering early childhood education initiative

Sharjah has been chosen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to participate in the pilot phase of its Early Childhood Care and Education – Progress Assessment and Transformation Tool (ECCE-PATT), marking a major milestone for the Emirate’s early childhood sector.

The selection highlights Sharjah’s continuous efforts to strengthen early childhood systems through evidence-based policies, effective governance, and high-quality care and education services. It also underscores the Emirate’s reputation as a regional model for early childhood development.

This recognition follows Sharjah’s role in hosting the Regional Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education in the Arab States in June 2023. The event, held under the patronage of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, in collaboration with UNESCO’s Multisectoral Regional Office for the Arab States, brought together key stakeholders including the Sharjah Private Education Authority, the Sharjah Education Academy, and the Sharjah Child Friendly Office.

Sharjah’s integrated approach earns global recognition

UNESCO’s invitation reflects the Emirate’s comprehensive approach to early childhood development, combining supportive policies, strong governance, quality education provision, and close coordination among institutions. The ECCE-PATT pilot in Sharjah will produce a detailed self-assessment of the early childhood sector, documenting achievements, identifying gaps, and sharing promising practices as a reference for the region.

Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority and President of the Sharjah Education Academy, said: “UNESCO’s selection of Sharjah for this pilot aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. We are committed to advancing excellence in early childhood education. The outcomes of this assessment will guide targeted improvements, ensuring our children benefit from the highest international standards, in close collaboration with UNESCO.”

Dr. Borhene Chakroun, Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems at UNESCO, added: “Lifelong learning starts in the earliest years. Sharjah’s pilot of the ECCE-PATT tool will provide the evidence needed to strengthen early childhood systems, support school readiness, and enhance lifelong learning opportunities. This initiative demonstrates Sharjah’s leadership in placing early childhood at the heart of education transformation.”

High-level dialogue to shape regional policies

In a related development, the Sharjah Private Education Authority and the Sharjah Education Academy, in partnership with UNESCO, will host a high-level closed policy dialogue during the Pre-Conference Day of the Sharjah International Summit on Improvement in Education, scheduled for February 14–15, 2026 at the Sharjah Education Academy campus.

The session will bring together senior policymakers, experts, and representatives from the UAE, the Gulf region, and the Arab world, alongside international organisations and academic institutions. Participants will discuss Sharjah’s pilot findings, share knowledge, and develop actionable recommendations to strengthen early childhood systems, curriculum, and policy alignment across the region.

With these initiatives, Sharjah reaffirms its commitment to placing children at the centre of development, creating an education system that nurtures growth, learning, and the future success of the next generation.

Education

Kuwait to make anti-drugs subject in school

Kuwait is set to become the first Arab country to introduce a compulsory school subject focused on drugs and other crimes.

The new subject will be taught at the intermediate (middle school) level starting from the next academic year, after the Ministry of Education agreed to a proposal submitted by the committee drafting the country’s new anti-drugs law. The aim, officials say, is to strengthen students’ awareness and shield them from the growing risks posed by drugs and psychoactive substances.

According to Al Qabas newspaper, Mohammed Al Duaij, head of the law-drafting committee, said the curriculum would go beyond drugs to address a wide range of crimes, including violence, theft, bullying, cybercrime, traffic violations and sexual offences.

Al Duaij said he had personally discussed the proposal with the Minister of Education, Jalal Al Tabtabai, outlining the importance of preventive education at an early age. “There was strong engagement,” he said, adding that the minister had been provided with a detailed outline of the proposed material and the crimes to be covered.

According to Al Duaij, while many adolescents understand that such acts are wrong, they often lack a clear sense of the real consequences. “They know it is a mistake,” he said, “but they do not know what actually happens to them if they commit these acts.”

He argued that schools are increasingly being asked to fill a gap left by changes in family life. Many parents, he said, are preoccupied with work, rely heavily on domestic help or digital devices, and struggle to maintain daily dialogue with their children. Supervision may still exist, he noted, but guidance often does not.

In addition, he said, many parents are unfamiliar with modern forms of drugs, do not fully understand teenagers’ digital culture, or feel uncomfortable discussing sensitive topics. As a result, adolescents often turn to friends, the internet or personal experimentation for information “the most dangerous teacher,” he said.

Unlike traditional awareness campaigns that rely on warnings, the new curriculum is designed to be practical. It will teach students how to refuse drugs without losing friends, how to handle peer pressure, how to exit risky situations, and when and how to seek help without fear.

Al Duaij also stressed the importance of correcting misconceptions that portray offenders as strong, daring or clever. “Proper education reveals the real picture,” he said, pointing to addiction, family breakdown, imprisonment and psychological illness as the true outcomes of criminal behaviour.

He called on private schools to follow the government’s lead and adopt similar programmes, describing the initiative as a major step towards preventing juvenile crime and reducing its spread.

Several countries, including France, Britain, Canada, Australia, Germany and Japan, already include drug awareness in their school curricula. Kuwait’s move, officials say, places it at the forefront of preventive education efforts in the region.

Education

WiseTech Global and Elm Company collaborate to drive innovation and digital transformation in the logistics sector in Saudi Arabia

7 January 2027

Sydney, Australia – WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC), the world-leading developer of logistics execution and supply chain management solutions, and Elm Company, a leading provider of digital solutions for both public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in the logistics sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Under the MoU, both parties intend to explore and leverage modern technologies to drive innovation and deliver advanced technology solutions that enhance the efficiency and overall performance of the logistics sector, in line with Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation objectives.

The scope of the collaboration includes exploring digital solutions to improve operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience through technology solutions focused on simplicity, flexibility, and service quality.

The collaboration also aims to support digital transformation efforts in the logistics sector through collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two parties, fostering integration in the development of technological solutions to deliver sustainable added value.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the Saudi Supply Chain and Logistics Conference 2025 on 13 December, with Elm represented by Hesham S. AlNaser, Vice President – Logistics Products, and WiseTech Global represented by Vlad Bilanovsky, Chief Execution Officer.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Majid bin Saad Al-Arifi, Elm’s Spokesperson and Vice President of Marketing, said:

“Elm continues to play its role as a leading digital enabler for government entities and businesses in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, building strategic partnerships that drive the development of innovative digital solutions. This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting digital transformation and enhancing the efficiency of the logistics sector in line with future aspirations.”

Vlad Bilanovsky, Chief Execution Officer at WiseTech Global, said:

“Saudi Arabia represents significant opportunities for growth and development in the logistics sector. We are delighted to collaborate with Elm to explore innovative technology solutions that enhance operational performance, improve customer experience, and support the sector’s digital transformation journey.”

Photo: L-R Vlad Bilanovsky, WiseTech Global and Hesham Alnasser, ELM Company sign MoU on the sidelines of the Saudi Supply Chain and Logistics Conference.

Media contact information:
WiseTech Global: Claire Hosegood | +61 411 253 663 | claire.hosegood@wisetechglobal.com

Elm Company: To obtain a photo of the official spokesperson or for more information about Elm Company, please visit elm.com.sa or contact: media@elm.sa

About WiseTech Global

WiseTech Global is a leading developer and provider of software solutions to the logistics, global trade and supply chain industry globally. Our customers include over 17,000^[1] of the world’s logistics companies across 193 countries, including 47 of the top 50 global third-party logistics providers and 24 of the 25 largest global freight forwarders worldwide^[2].

Our mission is to change the world by creating breakthrough products that enable and empower those that own and operate the supply chains of the world. At WiseTech, we are relentless about innovation, adding over 5,700 product enhancements to our global CargoWise application suite in the last five years while bringing meaningful continual improvement to the world’s supply chains. Our breakthrough software solutions are renowned for their powerful productivity, extensive functionality, comprehensive integration, deep compliance capabilities, and truly global reach. For more information about WiseTech Global or CargoWise, please visit wisetechglobal.com and cargowise.com.

[1] Includes customers on CargoWise and non-CargoWise platforms whose customers may be counted with reference to installed sites

[2] Armstrong & Associates: Top 50 Global 3PLs & Top 25 Global Freight Forwarders ranked by 2023 gross logistics revenue/turnover and freight forwarding volumes – Updated 14 August 2024