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DIAC supports IPEC 2012

Dubai: Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) has actively supported the International Finance Coporation's (IFC) 5th International Private Education Conference 2012. The event, held at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on March 6,7 and 8, invited key academics, investors and educationalists from around the world to discuss the educational landscape in the Middle East.

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, brought together leading educators, policymakers, and service providers to help private educational institutions in developing countries expand access to services, improve standards of quality and efficiency, and facilitate the international exchange of best practices.

Using its deep experience in private education—unique among multilateral institutions—IFC has established itself as a center for networking and information among investors worldwide. Key topics discussed were the global skills agenda, managing quality through growth, understanding markets, the need for standards, the role of equity finance, and challenges to education in the 21st century. 

The event featured keynote speakers such as Jammil Salmi, Global tertiary education expert, former World Bank Tertiary Education Coordinator , Carl Bistany, President, SABIS Educational Systems, Atul Temurnikar, Co-Founder and Chairman, Global Indian International Schools, Alex Wong, Senior Director, World Economic Forum, Sir Michael Barber, Chief Education Advisor, Pearson, UK, Cecelia Maria Velez, former Minister of Education, Colombia and Ashok Thakur, Special Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. 

The final day of the event began at the DIAC campus where a team of IFC delegates were taken on a tour to see the only freezone dedicated to higher education in the world. 

The day concluded with a panel discussion featuring Dr Ayoub Kazim, MD of TECOM Investments - Education Cluster, Francis Matthew, Editor at Large, Gulf News, Dr Warren Fox, Executive Director of Higher Education - KHDA, Anand Sudarshan, CEO of Manipal Global Education and Jane Knight, Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto. 

"The private education landscape in the UAE has witnessed significant transformation and advancement over the past few years. According to research conducted by The Parthenon Group, private sector enrolment in higher education in the UAE marked a total turnaround of US$870 million in 2011, growing at a robust seven per cent per annum. Such strong figures underscore the ever-increasing importance of investing in strengthening our human capital. 

International Finance Corporation hosted the International Private Education Conference in the UAE for the first time. The conference has provided a perfect platform for decision makers, service providers and academics to discuss challenges and best practices in the higher education sector. Engaging in dialogue is a crucial exercise imperative for the growth and development of the global academic community as a whole."- said Dr Ayoub Kazim by commenting on the significance of the event. "The IFC conference was taken place at a time when the education sector is experiencing significant change and expansion," said Atul Mehta, IFC Director, Global Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services. Private education is making a significant contribution to development in emerging market countries, especially by increasing access to services for lower- and middle-income people." – he added. 

Investment in private education is a strategic priority for IFC. IFC's education portfolio stands at more than $400m, encompassing 69 projects in 33 countries—including several of the poorest countries. The total value of these projects exceeds $1.5bn. IFC's private education projects have helped benefit 1.5 million students while providing employment to over 16,000 people.

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