E-Learning in United Arab Emirates UAE: a New Market with New Challenges

The e-learning market in the UAE is flourishing and becoming more entrenched each year. Some reasons for this new trend are readily apparent, advanced digital infrastructure and increasing awareness from large businesses, educational institutions and governmental entities. According to Madar Research group, the e-learning market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will reach US $ 60 million by 2008 with 30 % annual growth rate.

"The e-learning market will grow exponentially in the next three years as the corporate, academic and government sectors search for effective ways to transfer knowledge and develop skills and performance, " says Paul Gledhill, Director and co-Founder of Dubai -based XpertLearning, one of the region's main providers of integrated e-learning solutions. "We have seen a steady increase in the uptake of e-learning, both formally and informally, across an expanding portfolio of major multinational and local clients. " Paul adds.

The utilization of online programs for corporate training is receiving considerable interest lately. Large businesses have begun to realize the cost-efficient nature of e-learning programs, as well as the need for continuous training in this fast-evolving economic world. Creating awareness about the benefits is a major challenge and a number of businesses, at their core, doubt the Return on Investment (ROI). Indeed, e-learning encourages productivity, and its greater contribution is translated into higher loyalty. "We are seeing more companies recruiting Human Resources and development professionals who are looking for tools to assist them in their tasks. Most of these professionals are looking at software systems to track learning and ROI, deploy custom and off-the-shelf content, manage knowledge, build competency frameworks, create assessment portals for performance management and compliance," Paul explains.

According to AME-Info business portal, Online education spending in the Arab Gulf region will reach $240 million by the end of 2009, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE representing about 80 percent of the total. Major Universities, such as Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology are increasing their efforts in implementing e-learning programs and have seen remarkable success. Rapid advances in e-learning solutions and the Bi-annual "E-ducation Without Borders" conferences organized in the UAE, are definitely attracting a lot of UAE students and general interest.

According to published data, there are two good examples of governmental efforts; The IT Education Project (ITEP) launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Defense Minister, in 2005 and e-TQM College (Electronic Total Quality Management) initiated in 2002.

Today, e-learning providers are expanding their offerings but will they all live up to their promise? In response Paul suggests "As customers become more sophisticated in their knowledge and requirements, there has been a move towards buying a range of provider products.Most importantly, companies need to look for vendors who will offer more than just a product. Service and support become key to staying alive as an effective e-learning provider."

What then is the easiest way to implement e-learning within an organization? Paul offers, "I would advise trying some smaller sandbox initiatives to dip toes into the water and test the viability of e-Based learning. If these evaluations don't work it does not mean e-Learning doesn't work. Keep evaluating and trying different approaches and look for case studies where success has been proven. Any business large or small can keep the initial costs very low. Success can be measured of any project large or small. The trick is to identify what success looks like in your organization, and take action."