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The ongoing economic transformation in the Gulf region has been the talk of the town in recent years. With the emergence of robust post-oil economies and a boost in international investments, a new Gulf is in the making. As with any society, this growth is being driven by the region’s high-potential youth, whose approach to the region’s development is avant-garde. Thus, quality education and training is important for meaningful and sustainable growth in the region.

Students from the Gulf have traditionally formed a significant portion of international students in countries such as the US and the UK. This has been supported by generous funding and scholarships from their governments, as well as international universities. However, this trend has changed in recent years with the emergence of reputable international education institutions in the Gulf, such as New York University Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Georgetown University in Qatar.

As the socioeconomic and cultural conditions in the Gulf have changed, local students, as well as those from other parts of the Middle East, are increasingly exploring the prospect of pursuing higher education in the region.

The fast-growing higher education sector in the Gulf is a harbinger of the region’s future as a hub of innovation

Zaid M. Belbagi

This shift is also supported by a growing international expatriate presence in the Gulf, not only in the form of investors but also leading academics and researchers, who are drawn to the region because of the creative research opportunities it provides. The region is actively encouraging research and investment in the latest technologies, such as fintech, electric vehicles and digital healthcare.

However, research and innovation in the Gulf is not entirely led by expatriates. Local research talent in the region is impressive, with locally developed large language models such as Falcon and Fanar exemplifying the Gulf’s ability to develop emerging technologies.

The fast-growing higher education sector in the Gulf is a harbinger of the region’s future as a hub of innovation and this growth must be encouraged. The presence of leading international universities in the region is complemented by the emergence of competitive local institutions. However, to create a sustainable foundation for this, the region must also invest in a robust secondary education system. While higher education at university plays a significant role in building vocational skills and subject matter expertise, this training must be built on strong secondary education that develops the core resources and skills of communication, critical thinking and creativity in students.

The prospects for quality secondary education in the region are promising. Queen Elizabeth’s School, one of the foremost grammar schools in the UK, in September announced that it planned to open an affiliated school in Dubai, meaning it will become the first British state-funded school to expand internationally. Similarly, in May, Reigate Grammar School International and the Emirati investment company Bright Capital agreed to establish premium UK curriculum schools in the UAE. Several leading international schools are already established across the region, including many American, British and Indian schools in the UAE, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.

Such educational partnerships have also served as an avenue for cultural cooperation and diplomacy. The majority of international educational institutions in the Gulf are of Western origin, with American and British schools and universities leading the charts. Particularly in the sphere of higher education, active student exchanges between the Gulf and the West have allowed both sides to experience new cultures and enhance creative and critical thinking. Not only are Western universities a popular destination for Gulf students, but there is also a notable presence of Western students in the Gulf, particularly for language training. Bilateral institutions such as the British Omani Society have played a key role in facilitating student exchanges.

Today, as the Gulf’s foreign policy is increasingly autonomous and strategically reorienting toward the Global South, the region is presented with two distinct opportunities to reshape its education infrastructure.

Student exchanges between the Gulf and the West have allowed both sides to experience new cultures

Zaid M. Belbagi

First, countries in the region can work toward diversifying their international partnerships by establishing exchange and research programs with Global South partners such as India and China to adopt new teaching methods and curricula.

Second, the region is well positioned to support local schools and universities by providing adequate funding and integrating the latest technologies. This will further strengthen the Gulf’s emerging position as a hub for education and innovation. Local institutions such as the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology are already making notable strides in leading regional research.

The youth is the backbone of the Gulf’s economic transformation and high-quality education is crucial to prepare this human resource to contribute to the region’s growth. The world is turning toward the Gulf, with foreign direct investment in the region having increased by 20 percent in 2023. The regional economy is becoming increasingly diversified, digital and disruptive.

At such a historical juncture, the Gulf countries are keen to unleash their youth’s potential by collaborating with international education partners, providing generous research funding and emerging as hubs of innovation in the Middle East. The world-class education infrastructure that the Gulf is building will be a cornerstone of the region’s socioeconomic transformation.

• Zaid M. Belbagi is a political commentator and an adviser to private clients between London and the Gulf Cooperation Council. X: @Moulay_Zaid