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Almasar Alshamil Education’s listing on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) in December last year marked a significant milestone in the company, entering a new phrase of growth, establishing a stronger foundation for expansion, transparency and accountability.As Saudi Arabia’s largest provider of Special Needs Education and Care (SEC) and the UAE’s leading private higher education provider, Almasar Education is now firmly positioned to deepen its impact and expand its presence across the region.This strategy is reflected across three interconnected areas: expanding Special Needs Education and Care services in Saudi Arabia, strengthening the higher education platform in the UAE, and exploring complementary strategic expansion opportunities that support long-term growth.Ten months on, demand across Almasar Education’s institutions continues to translate into strong financial and operational performance. In the first half of 2026, revenue increased by 22% YoY (year-on-year) while the number of students and beneficiaries grew by 21% YoY to 28,900, reflecting sustained demand across both specialist and higher education. This growth also reflects the transformational changes taking place across the region. Education is increasingly recognized as one of the Gulf’s most resilient long-term investment sectors, driven by population growth, greater private sector participation and government investment in developing human capability — a sector now central to long-term socio-economic development.Rather than treating its listing as the culmination of its growth journey, Almasar Education has used it as a platform for its next phase of expansion, continuing to invest in new institutions and broaden access to learning.Guided by Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE Vision 2031, the company remains committed to investing in learners, institutions and innovation, and to developing future-ready talent.Expectations of education have also evolved. Academic achievement remains fundamental, but students are expected to graduate with practical skills, adaptability and the confidence to succeed in rapidly changing workplaces.This philosophy shapes every stage of Almasar Education’s academic offerings. Across its SEC network, children, young people and adults are supported with independence, daily living skills, social integration, and long-term development. Within higher education, programs are designed to align with regional and global workplace requirements, especially in high-growth sectors such as AI and technology, ensuring graduates are equipped with skills that remain relevant throughout their careers. Expanding specialist education across Saudi Arabia During the first half of 2026, Almasar Education launched two new SEC daycare centers and one school, further enhancing its robust network across the country and supporting the rising need for specialist care. With these additions, the company now operates 41 daycare centers, 15 schools and three clinics through the Human Development Company (HDC), supporting around 7,700 beneficiaries across the country. This expansion will continue over the coming years, with a strong pipeline of new daycare centers and schools currently under development.Committed to ensuring specialized education is more inclusive and accessible, Almasar Education is expanding its specialist education and care offering across the Kingdom, having secured a residential services offering license via the HDC in response to rising demand. Empowering the next generation through higher education In parallel, Almasar Education continues to strengthen its position as the leading private higher education provider in the UAE through two major institutions: Middlesex University Dubai, the largest private university in Dubai, and NEMA Holding, Abu Dhabi’s largest private tertiary education group, which operates Abu Dhabi University and LIWA University. All three universities recorded strong performance during the first half of 2026, supported by continued growth in international student enrollment. Together, Almasar Education’s higher education portfolio now serves more than 21,200 university students across the UAE, up 21% YoY. Middlesex University Dubai welcomed a record January intake for the current academic year, with new enrollments increasing by 16% YoY. At NEMA Holding, enrollment across Abu Dhabi University and LIWA University grew 24% YoY. This year has also seen important institutional achievements. Middlesex University Dubai received institutional licensure from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research together with CAA accreditation for all programs, launched the London Sports Institute, and expanded capacity in Dubai Media City. Abu Dhabi University advanced 43 places in QS World University Rankings 2027, and introduced 19 high-demand, multi-discipline programs to meet the requirements of a skills-based workplace. Meanwhile, LIWA University built on its strong momentum following the award of university accreditation status and expanded capacity through the newly launched Al Ain campus. Continuing to expand its footprint across the UAE, NEMA Holding signed a partnership with Epsom College (UK) to establish two K-12 campuses on existing land assets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, accommodating up to 5,000 students, representing the first phase of a broader collaboration. Ongoing strategic expansion projects In line with its strategy of expanding into complementary adjacent education segments, Almasar Education signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding in June to acquire a 60% stake in Al Qalam Educational Trading Company, a K-12 education provider with a growing presence in Saudi Arabia.The proposed acquisition remains subject to satisfactory due diligence, final agreement negotiations and requisite regulatory approvals.The company is also exploring geographical expansion of its existing businesses, including a potential launch of a university in Saudi Arabia in partnership with a UK-based university, subject to licensing eligibility and requirements. To that end, Almasar Education has signed a non-binding Heads of Terms agreement with Heriot-Watt University for the establishment of Heriot-Watt University Saudi Arabia, under which Almasar Education would act as financial and strategic partner while the University provides academic and institutional leadership. The agreement is non-binding and remains subject to definitive agreements and the requisite regulatory approvals.The next phase of Almasar Education’s journey is defined more by sustained impact than by scale, with a structured approach to growth focused on consolidating its leadership in its core markets of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Looking ahead, Almasar Education will pursue further growth in specialized education, drawing on its regional expertise, and expand its higher education operations into Saudi Arabia.
