Online education received a sudden and sharp boost in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lockdowns worldwide forced educators to turn to technology to continue teaching and interacting with students and schoolchildren.
While most brick-and-mortar educational institutions have now reopened, the convenience and wide reach that virtual learning offers highlighted new opportunities within the sector.
That's the gap that educational technology start-up Ostaz, backed by Abu Dhabi's Hub71, aims to exploit.
The online private tutoring site, co-founded by Audrey Nakad, currently has 60,000 learners on its platform with more than 1,000 teachers offering tuition to pupils in British, French, US and UAE national curricula.
“The potential of private tutoring in our region is huge," says Ms Nakad, who started the company with her sister and another colleague in 2018 in Beirut.
"It's estimated to be around $8.9 billion. Now, with online learning, the potential is even bigger."
The company has since expanded its operations to the UAE, where it is now headquartered, and Saudi Arabia to meet growing demand in the region.
“If you will look at the landscape of the Arab region and the Middle East and North Africa region, you have the youngest population … and you have a lot of dynamics changing, for example, in Saudi Arabia [there is an] appetite to learn more”, as a large number of women and others join the workforce, Ms Nakad says.
Job creation is one of the key objectives of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to overhaul its economy and reduce its reliance on hydrocarbon revenue.
The participation of women in the labour force in Saudi Arabia rose to 35.6 per cent in 2021 from 33.2 per cent in 2020, a recent report by Jadwa Investment found.
“Higher participation from Saudi female [workers] is being driven by a larger number of first-time job seekers," the report said.
Not many schools are being built in the region that cater to the growing education needs of the young population, Ms Nakad says.
Nearly half of the Mena population is under 24, with one in five ages 10-24, UN agency Unicef says.
"For instance, in Egypt, you have a huge gap [for schools]”, which is boosting demand for online learning, Ms Nakad says.
“We are leveraging our supply of qualified teachers to teach … our vision is to be the number one online learning platform in the world and boost our presence in the region."
However, there is competition in the market and one of the factors that differentiates her company from others is “personalisation”, she says.
Having worked as a private tutor while studying at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada before embarking on the venture, Ms Nakad says her experience gave her proper insight into the industry.
“Our courses are live," she says. "So we really study the learners' need, we do an assessment test, after this assessment test, we propose a learning plan … we guarantee results.
“Second, we have a first mover advantage. We are the oldest in the ecosystem, so we learnt a lot.”
Another advantage the start-up has over its peers is that it is the "only player in the region that established so many partnerships that are big. For example, we worked with Taaleem in the UAE, we worked with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority [in Dubai], American University in Dubai and others", Ms Nakad says.
The company has big plans to boost growth and aims to expand in the region.
The EdTech sector in the Middle East and Africa is set to grow to Dh26bn ($7.07bn) by 2027, as the shift to digital education accelerates because of the pandemic, a study by Report Linker showed.
The widespread adoption of smartphones, interactive displays and other digital learning tools is expected to drive growth in the next few years.
Ostaz is looking to raise $1.5 million to “accelerate our growth”, especially in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, Ms Nakad says. It has secured more than $2.8m since its inception.
Being part of Abu Dhabi technology start-up centre Hub71 is helping founders “advance their international ambitions by connecting them to the right corporate partners to investors and funds, because this is ... very crucial for the growth of our companies", Ms Nakad says.
Hub71 is a flagship initiative of Abu Dhabi's Dh50bn Ghadan 21 economic stimulus programme and was founded in 2019 by the emirate's government, Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Microsoft and Japan's SoftBank Group.
It helps entrepreneurs build tech companies with global outreach to support the emirate's economic diversification plans.
Hub71's start-ups have so far raised Dh1.5bn in investment through the tech ecosystem’s corporate partners, according to data released this year. The companies have been responsible for creating 1,000 new jobs.
“At Hub71, as a founder, you can make the impossible possible and they let you dream and you get the right push," Ms Nakad says.
Company profile
Name: Ostaz
Based: Hub71, Abu Dhabi, with offices in Dubai, Jeddah and Beirut
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 35
Sector: Education Technology
Funding: More than $2.8m
Q&A with Audrey Nakad, co-founder and chief executive of Ostaz
What successful start-ups do you wish you could have started?
I am impressed by two [companies] that are basically in my domain, Byju’s in India and GoStudent in Europe. They have done an excellent job in educating people to move to online learning and create personalised learning plans. Online learning did not exist before Covid-19 and they did an amazing job converting the offline market and education to online.
What is your vision for your company?
I would like Ostaz to be the largest online after-school platform in the world to enhance the academic performance of learners and prepare them for a brighter future.
What new skills have you learnt in the process of starting the company?
I learnt a lot of skills, but I think the most important one is resilience. It's about fighting every day because you go through a lot of challenges and problems. Being resilient and learning from your mistakes and standing up every day to continue to build your vision and get there is the most important skill that I learnt. And definitely, I would say, my listening skills, because especially after Covid, people went through a lot of tough times, you had to be close to your employees, even more so than usual, to listen to their problems and help them out in their daily lives because you want them to be happy in the workplace.
What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Don't wait for things to happen, go out and make them happen. Just focus on your vision, obviously, focus is very important, because you have to keep going and build your vision and not be distracted by irrelevant things that happen in your day-to-day life. Just focus on your end goal.
Who is your role model?
A lot [of people], but particularly my father, because he is an entrepreneur himself [in the power sector of Lebanon] and is my inspiration. He fought it out and grew his business from zero to 100, despite a lot of challenges, economic downturns and a lot of things that happened throughout his life. But he stayed, persevered and made it happen.
The second person ... I would say is Elon Musk, because he is someone that ... when he pitches something you think he is crazy, and it is impossible to make it happen. And then he reminds you that nothing is impossible in this world. If you truly believe in it and if you surround yourself with the right people, you can make it happen.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan v Juventus
Saturday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Watch the match on BeIN Sports
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
Getting%20there%20
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sucker%20Punch%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%202%20to%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
AL%20BOOM
%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3B%26nbsp%3BDirector%3AAssad%20Al%20Waslati%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22text-align%3Ajustify%3B%22%3E%0DStarring%3A%20Omar%20Al%20Mulla%2C%20Badr%20Hakami%20and%20Rehab%20Al%20Attar%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20ADtv%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
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Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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Cutting red tape on import and export of food
heading
Iran has sent five planeloads of food to Qatar, which is suffering shortages amid a regional blockade.
A number of nations, including Iran's major rival Saudi Arabia, last week cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of funding terrorism, charges it denies.
The land border with Saudi Arabia, through which 40% of Qatar's food comes, has been closed.
Meanwhile, mediators Kuwait said that Qatar was ready to listen to the "qualms" of its neighbours.
SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20profile
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UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Match info:
Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')
Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')
