D.C.-based educational software company Blackboard Inc.has seen a surge in business in the Middle East region, the company said this week.
Blackboard Inc. announced Tuesday more than 30 educational institutions in eight countries have started using its technology for e-learning teaching initiatives.
Some of the company’s new clients include American University in Cairo, Kuwait University and the University of Bahrain.
“Many of the governments in the Middle East have recognized oil isn’t going to last forever and they’re going to have to learn how to adapt their economies,” said Karl Engkvist, senior vice president for international strategies for Blackboard. “To remain competitive in the long term, you need a strong education structure.”
The Middle East, Latin America and parts of Asia are the fastest growing international markets for Blackboard, with the Middle East making up about 10 percent of the company’s international business, Engkvist said.
Sales to the area are growing because many of the countries have the money to make changes quickly rather than gradually implementing change. Cities such as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates are also trying to position themselves as education centers, Engkvist said, and use e-learning to keep college students home rather than having them leave the country to study.
