fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF

Insider tips on student recruitment in Bahrain

Recently, we sat down with Sara Abdulla from Al Mawred Education Services based in Bahrain to pick up a few tips on how to appeal to Bahraini students. Our video interview below begins with a market background on Bahrain's education system, which is "the cornerstone of national development and the bridge to a bright future," according to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The country places a high value on education and has been recognised for its impressive literacy rate of 97.3%. Bahrain has benefited from a fast growing economy, but seeks to reduce its dependency on oil and create a globally competitive economy driven by the private sector and an even stronger education system. The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) has outlined an Economic Vision 2030 to serve as a guide to achieve this. "Over the next 10 years, the size of Bahrain's workforce will double. Currently, approximately 4,000 Bahrainis a year are entering the job market with at least a college degree. If present economic trends continue, the quality and number of jobs available will not satisfy the demand."

Their vision is to boost the middle class with an "ultimate aim to ensure that every Bahraini household has at least twice as much disposable income - in real terms - by 2030."

More disposable income means a greater ability to afford an education overseas, making Bahrain a country with long-term appeal. And with an increasing population base, the K-12 sector is receiving particular attention: "E-learning is being used on a large scale in [our] schools," said Minister of Education Dr Majid bin Ali Al-Naimi. Furthermore, the vocational and technical education sector has been identified as key to boosting skills and employability, and Bahrain agency Tamkeen has partnered with TVET UK to share best practices. The total number of students in government education in 2012/13 was 128,741 vs. 84,552 in non-government education. Most private schools in the country teach in English, but language skills are strong regardless of the type of school one attends. "Bahrain has the highest level of English language speakers in the region, which makes it very easy for the students to go abroad," explains Ms Abdulla, who also reveals the study preferences of Bahrainis, giving a glimpse into what educators might expect from these students. In Part 2 of our interview, we dig deeper into the nuances, exploring the differences between school and location choices in larger destinations such as the UK vs. the US and particularly on how Bahrainis adjust when abroad. We also look at the appeal of Arabic-speaking destinations such as Turkey and Malaysia, and Ms Abdulla stresses, "the [choice of] destination is dependent on how active this country or this institution is in marketing itself in Bahrain." Finally, Ms Abdulla discusses how to market to Bahraini students and parents  - which marketing messages will resonate with each audience - as well as the strong influence advertising and social media have along with in-person visits to Bahrain.

Most Recent

  • ICEF Podcast: Live from NAFSA 2025 Read More
  • Irish ELT sector sounds note of “cautious stability” for 2024 Read More
  • US ELT numbers moving toward pre-pandemic norms Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

ICEF Podcast: Live from NAFSA 2025 Listen in as ICEF’s Craig Riggs and Martijn van de Veen recap a busy week at the annual...
Read more
Irish ELT sector sounds note of “cautious stability” for 2024 After a year of very strong growth in 2023, Ireland’s English Language Teaching (ELT) sector is reporting remarkably...
Read more
US ELT numbers moving toward pre-pandemic norms If you look at English Language Teaching (ELT) numbers in the United States year-over-year, it is easy to...
Read more
Sector and students shocked as US State Department says it will “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students” On 28 May 2025, a late-afternoon statement from the US State Department came as the latest shock for...
Read more
International student interest in US falls to pandemic-era low After months of announcements, immigration enforcement actions, and confusion around US policies for international students – as well...
Read more
Trump administration orders a pause on new student visa interviews Journalists at Politico have obtained a US State Department cable sent to all US diplomatic posts on 27...
Read more
Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling international students; judge promptly issues restraining order to prevent the move Updated for 23 May 2025: The US government has suspended Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign students, effective...
Read more
Plans afoot to stimulate UK–EU student mobility under new terms The UK government has opened negotiations with the European Union to restart a youth mobility scheme to and...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links
OSZAR »