The Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 outlines ambitious goals for the educational sector, aiming to create a knowledge-based economy that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. While primarily focused on Saudi Arabia, the vision resonates across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, including the UAE. Key objectives include:
- Enhancing Educational Quality: Institutions are encouraged to adopt modern teaching methodologies and technologies that improve learning outcomes.
- Promoting Lifelong Learning: The vision emphasizes the importance of continuous education and skills development to meet the demands of a dynamic job market.
- Fostering Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between educational institutions and industries to ensure that curricula align with market needs.
These goals set the stage for a digital transformation that leverages technology to create a more responsive and effective educational system.
Think Beyond as Experts in the Education Sector
Think Beyond has achieved success in implementing Salesforce solutions specifically designed for the education sector, establishing itself as a leader in educational technology. The numbers demonstrate their proficiency:
- 26,000+ Students: Over 26,000 students benefit from the innovative solutions provided by Think Beyond, enhancing their learning experiences.
- 800,000+ Course Evaluation Surveys: The Salesforce solution facilitates the efficient distribution of over 800,000 course evaluation surveys, enabling the collection of valuable feedback to enhance educational offerings.
- 35,000+ Student Applications Processed Annually: Think Beyond has provided software that has helped to streamline the application process and enable the handling of over 35,000 student applications each year.
- 160,000+ Handled Student Cases: Thanks to a robust support system, universities have managed over 160,000 student cases, ensuring that each student receives the assistance they need.
These statistics highlight the significant impact of Salesforce solutions in enhancing operational efficiency and student engagement within educational institutions.
Leading Education Institutions Using Salesforce
Several leading universities in the UAE have adopted Salesforce to improve their educational programs and make their operations more efficient. These include:
De Montfort University Dubai
- Size: Part of a global university with over 26,000 students; Dubai campus hosts a diverse international student body.
- Specialization: Offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in business management, data science and AI, fashion communication, architecture, law, and engineering.
- Foundation Year: Parent university founded in 1870 (UK); Dubai campus established in 2021.
- Other Facts:
- Ranked 801–850 in QS World University Rankings and 601 in THE World Rankings.
- Welcomes students from over 130 countries.
- Noted for employability-focused, skills-based learning and strong industry connections.
- Offers a range of scholarships including merit, community involvement, and sports
De Montfort University Dubai leverages Salesforce to provide a personalized learning experience for its students. The university utilizes Salesforce’s capabilities to manage student data effectively, ensuring that each learner receives tailored support throughout their academic journey.
City University Ajman (City University College of Ajman – CUCA)
- Size: Around 2,500 students, 50+ nationalities, 2,097 alumni.
- Specialization: Undergraduate and graduate programs in dental surgery, pharmacy, business, law, media, and education; programs offered in both English and Arabic.
- Foundation Year: Not explicitly stated, but established and licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education.
- Other Facts:
- All programs accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).
- Member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) and AACSB International.
- Focuses on holistic learning, research, and innovation.
- Strong emphasis on preparing students for the global market with a diverse faculty and student body
City University Ajman employs Salesforce to enhance its recruitment and admissions processes. By utilizing Salesforce’s integrated platform, the university can streamline communication with prospective students, making the application process more efficient and user-friendly.
Emirates College of Technology (ECT)
- Size: Not specified; recognized as one of the oldest private colleges in Abu Dhabi.
- Specialization: Offers bachelor’s degrees in accounting, administration, arts, finance & banking, health, and journalism; instruction primarily in Arabic.
- Foundation Year: 1993.
- Other Facts:
- Located in central Abu Dhabi.
- Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education.
- Focuses on aligning programs with contemporary business and technical developments.
Emirates College of Technology has embraced Salesforce to improve student engagement and support services. The college uses Salesforce to track student progress and provide timely assistance, ensuring that students have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Alef Education
- Size: 201–500 employees
- Specialization: K-12 EdTech, AI-powered personalized learning, NLP, learning science, machine learning
- Foundation Year: 2016
- Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Reach: Over 1 million students in 14,000+ schools worldwide, including UAE, US, Indonesia, and Morocco
- Other Facts: Offices in the US, Indonesia, and Jordan; award-winning digital learning platform
Alef Education is a leading K-12 EdTech company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Specializing in AI-powered personalized learning, Alef serves over 1.1 million students across 7,000+ schools globally. Its award-winning platform offers adaptive assessments, gamified achievements, and comprehensive data-driven insights, supporting ministries, schools, and teachers in delivering engaging, effective education and improving student outcomes.
Leoron Professional Development Institute
- Size: 201–500 employees
- Specialization: Corporate training, EdTech, professional development in finance, HR, supply chain, operations, engineering, and more
- Foundation Year: 2010
- Headquarters: Dubai, UAE
- Other Facts: Delivers 1,200+ programs annually; trains 25,000+ professionals each year across EMEA; offers in-company and online training
Leoron is a comprehensive training institute offering accredited courses and professional development solutions in corporate finance, HR, supply chain management, operations, and engineering. With a presence across the EMEA region and offices in Dubai, Riyadh, and beyond, Leoron delivers over 1,200 courses annually, equipping around 15,000 professionals with up-to-date skills to boost organizational competitiveness.
NYU Abu Dhabi DevLab
- Size: 2,000+ undergraduates, 140+ graduate students
- Specialization: Interdisciplinary research and education, including AI, urban planning, and climate science
- Foundation Year: 2010
- Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Other Facts: Students from 120+ countries; 25% Emirati undergraduates; part of NYU’s global network
NYU Abu Dhabi is a globally ranked research university that forms part of NYU’s international network. It offers rigorous interdisciplinary education and is home to innovative research labs, such as the DevLab, which focus on areas including AI, urban planning, and climate science. The university emphasizes global mobility, transformative education, and impactful research, preparing students to succeed in a globalized world.
American Community School of Abu Dhabi (ACS)
- Size: approx. 1,200 students
- Specialization: Nonprofit, American standards-based curriculum, KG1–Grade 12
- Foundation Year: 1972
- Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Other Facts: Represents 80+ nationalities; offers IB Diploma and AP courses; located on Saadiyat Island
Founded in 1972, ACS Abu Dhabi is a nonprofit, American-curriculum school serving over 1,300 students from KG1 to Grade 12, representing more than 80 nationalities. Now located on Saadiyat Island, ACS is known for its commitment to academic excellence, the arts, athletics, and service learning, offering both the IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses to cultivate global citizens.
Skillup Mena
- Size: 11–50 employees
- Specialization: E-learning, corporate and government training, professional upskilling
- Foundation Year: Not specified
- Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Other Facts: Offers 100,000+ courses; serves various sectors including HR, healthcare, banking, oil & gas, government, and universities
Skillup Mena is a leading e-learning provider in the MENA region, offering a curated library of over 100,000 courses. Focused on corporate and government training, Skillup Mena delivers engaging, accessible learning experiences designed to support upskilling, operational excellence, and continuous professional development across all organizational departments.
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
- Size: Over 22,000 students (2020–21: 14,889 female, 7,333 male); 71,000+ graduates
- Specialization: Applied higher education, technology, vocational training
- Foundation Year: 1988
- Headquarters: 16 campuses across the UAE
- Other Facts: Largest applied higher education institution in UAE; first UAE university economic free zone; international program accreditations
Established in 1988, HCT is the UAE’s largest applied higher education institution, with 16 campuses and approximately 23,000 students. HCT is recognized as the nation’s first approved university economic free zone, enabling it to graduate companies and drive innovation. The institution plays a key role in national workforce development, with a strong emphasis on applied learning and female student empowerment.
CERT – The Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training
- Size: 201–500 employees
- Specialization: Training, professional development, applied research, vocational qualifications, digital competencies, AI, AR/VR
- Foundation Year: 1996
- Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Other Facts: Commercial arm of HCT; delivers workforce development and innovation programs for public and private sectors
CERT is the commercial, research, and training arm of HCT and one of the largest private education providers in the Middle East. Since 1996, CERT has delivered workforce development, applied research, and technology solutions, partnering with industry and government to advance national competitiveness. CERT offers a range of programs in English language, AI, vocational training, and professional certifications, and operates technology parks that foster innovation and industry-academia collaboration
Salesforce Education Cloud: Transforming Education Institutions in the UAE
Salesforce Education Cloud is a comprehensive platform designed to address the evolving needs of higher education institutions. In the context of the UAE, where universities and colleges are striving to deliver world-class education and foster student engagement, Education Cloud offers a suite of tools:
1. Student Recruitment and Admissions Management
Education Cloud allows universities to oversee the entire student recruitment process—from prospecting to enrollment—on a single platform. UAE institutions can use this to attract international students, automate application processes and personalize communications, ensuring a seamless admissions experience and helping to make the country a global education hub.
2. Student 360-Degree View
With a unified, 360-degree view of each student, UAE universities can track academic progress, engagement, and support needs in real time. This holistic perspective allows staff to proactively address student challenges, personalize support, and improve retention rates, aligning with the UAE’s commitment to student success.
3. Alumni Engagement and Advancement
Education Cloud helps institutions build lasting relationships with alumni through targeted communications, event management, and fundraising tools. UAE universities can use these features to foster a strong alumni network, encourage giving, and boost their reputation both locally and internationally.
4. Faculty and Staff Collaboration
The platform streamlines collaboration among faculty and staff by centralizing communications, workflows, and case management. In the UAE, where higher education institutions often have diverse, multicultural teams, this feature enhances coordination, improves service delivery, and supports innovative teaching and research.
5. Personalized Student Support Services
Education Cloud’s case management and support tools allow universities to deliver tailored academic advising, career counseling, and wellbeing services. UAE institutions can use these capabilities to ensure students receive timely, culturally sensitive support, contributing to higher satisfaction and better outcomes.
6. Marketing and Communication Automation
The platform’s marketing automation tools enable targeted outreach to prospective students, current learners, and alumni. UAE universities can craft multilingual, personalized campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences, helping to increase enrollment, engagement, and brand visibility.
7. Data-Driven Insights and Reporting
Education Cloud provides robust analytics and reporting tools, empowering UAE institutions to make informed decisions. By analyzing student data, universities can identify trends, measure program effectiveness, and align strategies with national education goals and accreditation requirements.
8. Integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Other Platforms
The platform’s ability to integrate with existing LMS and campus systems ensures a seamless digital ecosystem. Universities can connect Education Cloud with their preferred tools, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering a unified experience for students and staff.
By adopting the Salesforce Education Cloud, higher education institutions can modernize their operations, deliver personalized learning experiences, and position themselves as leaders in the global education landscape.
Agentforce for Education – The Innovative Shift
The introduction of Agentforce marks a significant advancement in the use of artificial intelligence within the education sector. This innovative platform enables educational institutions to deploy AI-powered agents that enhance student support and engagement.
Role of AI in Education
AI agents can provide real-time assistance to students, answering common queries and guiding them through administrative processes. This technology not only improves efficiency but also ensures that students receive timely support when they need it most.
Enhancing Learning Experiences
By leveraging AI, educational institutions can create more personalized learning experiences. AI agents can analyze student data to identify areas where additional support may be needed, allowing educators to intervene proactively.
The Importance of EdTech Solutions in the UAE—and Why Salesforce Is the Right Choice
EdTech is at the heart of the UAE’s educational transformation. As the country accelerates its digital agenda, educational technology is revolutionizing how students learn, how teachers teach, and how institutions operate. The UAE’s commitment to innovation is clear: from government-backed smart city initiatives to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) as a formal subject in all public schools (K–12) starting in the 2025–26 academic year, the nation is positioning itself as a global leader in tech-driven education.
The UAE’s move to embed AI and advanced digital skills in its national curriculum is a testament to its future-focused vision. Salesforce, with its robust AI capabilities, data-driven approach, and commitment to educational innovation, is uniquely positioned to help UAE institutions realize this vision—empowering students, supporting teachers, and driving national progress.
