Private Public Partnerships to improve standards of education in GCC

The conference is organised in partnership with; UNESCO, the Commonwealth Business Council, the Government of Dubai and GEMS Education.

Former US President Bill Clinton, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, current world leaders, education experts and delegates from 46 countries will discuss the theme of the conference which is; 'Meeting Challenges in Education & Skills - Governments & Private Sector working together to achieve results'.

It will discuss the role that private - public partnerships can play in bringing educational transformation to benefit more young people in the GCC in order to create a skilled workforce fit for the future.

Chris Kirk, CEO, GEMS Education Solutions and spokesperson for the conference, said, "The achievements made in the formal education system in the GCC, which is only 50 years old, are commendable. Several GCC countries have embraced K-12 Education Private - Public Partnerships, with the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar at the forefront. We believe that increasing PPP's in education is the ideal way forward to meet the needs of an ever increasing number of GCC students, estimated to grow by almost 2% annually to reach 11.3 million in 2020 from 9.5 million in 2010."

Attendees from the Middle East include HE Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al-Nahayan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili - Director General, Abu Dhabi Education Council, Dr Abdullatif Bin Mohammed Al Ghaith, CEO of Tatweer Holding Company, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, Founder of The Daughters for Life Foundation, and Dr Tidu Maini, Special Envoy to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation.