The Middle East Supplement
A Region in Motion
How knowledge and innovation are shaping the Middle East.
By Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA),
QS Quacquarelli Symonds
"As we enter the 21st century, education is not only shaping the region’s economic future, but it is also redefining the region's place in the global arena."
For centuries, the Middle East has been the centre of great civilisations, interlined trading routes and vast cultural interventions. It has been the connecting link from early Mesopotamians to the bustling bazaars of the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years between the East and the West. Its historical importance goes beyond geographical setting, encompassing the rich intellectual and artistic greatness which has influenced humanity throughout time.
Today in the rapidly connecting world, the Middle East stands at the crossroads where tradition and modernity meet, accelerating social change and economic amenities while carrying the identity of culture. There is an unprecedented revolution driven by economic diversification, technological advancement, and youth who are aspirational and ambitious.
Governments and private sectors are heavily investing in the region in terms of infrastructure development, sustainability and digital transformation. This makes the Middle East one of the most exciting regions in the world for the future of development and progress. A major driving force is education- how people learn, share, and apply knowledge.
The commitment to fostering opportunity and learning can be seen in the changing landscape of higher education, in strategic government policies and investments in research and technology. As we enter the 21st century, education is not only shaping the region’s economic future, but it is also redefining the region's place in the global arena.
A historical legacy of knowledge and learning
Commonly acknowledged as the cradle of both civilisations and intelligence and cultural development, the Middle East has been the center for early Mesopotamian societies that laid the foundations for writing and governance to the great libraries of the Islamic Golden Age, the region has played a foundational role in shaping the global knowledge today.
Cities like Baghdad were the intellectual powerhouses for the scholars who translated, preserved and developed Greek and Persian that laid the very foundations of modern science, medicine and philosophy. The Islamic Golden Age (8th to 14th centuries) truly laid the foundation for philosophical thought, providing extraordinary advances with regard to mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.
Scholars like Al-Khwarizmi, known as the father of algebra, and Ibn Sina who’s medical encyclopedias influenced European medicine for centuries highlight the regions contribution to the pool of knowledge. Moreover, vast trade networks facilitated the exchange of ideas between Asia, Africa, and Europe further rekindling the place of the Middle East as a hub of learning and innovation.
Throughout centuries, the Middle East has been the cradle of civilisations, with being home to the some of the first human settlements, to trade empires and cultural centres. The Fertile Crescent known as ‘Cradle of Civilisation’ witnessed the birth of agriculture, writing systems, and early governance models.
The historical cities like Babylon and Damascus served as the vibrant centres for commerce, diplomacy, and artistic expression, drawing travellers and scholars from around the world.
Modern aspirations for education in the region continue to be shaped by this intellectual heritage. Traditionally associated with civilisations in the Middel East, the guiding principles of knowledge and discovery are now evident in the current endeavour to establish world-class universities, research institutions and knowledge-driven economies. As the region reclaims its place in the global academic stage, its historical reverence serves as both inspiration and driving power for future educational advancement.
The modern socio-economic and cultural landscape
The Middle East has become an increasingly dynamic and diverse region, characterised by rapidly expanding urbanisation, economic diversification and cultural preservation. While historically dependent on oil and gas, a growing number of Middle Eastern countries are now investing in non-oil industries, such as finance, technology, tourism and education.
This shifting economy accompanied with infrastructure projects, digital transformations and new policies meant to advance sustainable development. Technological advancements are accelerating region’s advancements. Smart cities, artificial intelligence, fintech and renewable energy projects are making the Middle East a world-class centre for innovation.
This has provided a fertile ground for entrepreneurship, particularly for startups in e-commerce, clean energy and digital finance. Additionally, sustainability initiatives-investments in green energy and carbon neutral cities serve to highlight reopening the region to the world with a long-term vision of economic resilience. The region is expected to see their digital economy reach $400 billion by 2030 underlining the region’s commitment to innovation and modernisation.
Culturally, the region balances centuries-old traditions and contemporary global influences. Social norms, artistic expressions and media diversity reflect a fusion of heritage and modernity. With a huge youth population where nearly 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30 and advancing global connectivity, the Middle East is experiencing a cultural renaissance in areas such as education, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation.
Higher education: A region in evolution
Education is emerging as a central pillar in the development of the Middle East. Governments and private institutions are investing heavily in higher education to build human capital that will drive economic growth. In the past decade, the number of universities being opened in the Middle East has grown tremendously to meet student demand.
Countries in the Middle East have introduced policies designed to enhance the quality of education, boost research output, and align academic programs with labour market demands. Education expenditures in some countries have gone beyond 5 percent of GDP, showing the high level of commitment to academic excellence.
Moreover, the virtual education platforms, AI based learning and open access research initiatives are turning out to be beneficial for the region in expanding opportunities for students, while the e-learning market is expected to reach $30 billion by 2027. Increased funding towards scientific research and technology enabled education is nurturing a culture of inquiry and problem solving as R&D spending in the Middle East has increased by nearly 20 percent in the last five years.
Investments in education are paying off. With high number of student population in the Middle East in the next decade, prompting governments to allocate large budgets towards educational reform. Private institutions and collaboration with foreign institutions are growing, ensuring students can receive globally competitive training.
Moreover, the push towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and vocational training are laying the foundation for a new generation to prepare for future job market focused on AI, renewable energy and digital economy sectors.
By 2030, nearly 70 percent of newly created jobs will require skills specific to STEM, highlighting the importance of future-forward strategies in education. Despite the educational priorities, there are multiple complexities. Efforts to strike a balance between modern curricula and cultural traditions, broaden access to quality education and introducing emerging technologies into learning systems are still ongoing. These trends in near future will have considerable ramifications for the long term academic and economic landscape of the region.
As the Middle East continues to grow, new developments indicate the region’s commitment towards learning. Teaching and learning are now truly revolutionising through the use of AI, virtual reality, and digital classrooms. The promotion of innovation and academic excellence is the result of partnerships between government, universities, and different stakeholders.
Moreover, technical education and professional training are expanding to bridge the skill gap between students and workforce, while global academic collaborations reinforcing cross-cultural learning and research. Universities are incorporating sustainability focused curricula and research programs to address global challenges.
Such developments are indicative of the region’s commitment to education as a way towards long-term social and economic development. Reforms in education indicates a significance transformation in the Middle East. With a rich history, the region is taking bold steps towards the future with incorporating reforms in education, technological integration, and research-based growth.
In addition to education, the region’s socio-economic transformation, cultural dynamism, and technological advancement is making the Middle East an exciting hub of innovation. With knowledge being the new currency of development, the Middle East is placing itself in a position that could make it a truly global leader in learning, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
The changing education landscape narrates not just the aspirations of the region but also its resilience for adapting to a constantly changing world.