{"id":665488,"date":"2025-05-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/uptown-6-october-brings-gsm-to-egypt-with-egp-1-3-bn-international-school\/"},"modified":"2025-05-19T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T00:00:00","slug":"uptown-6-october-brings-gsm-to-egypt-with-egp-1-3-bn-international-school","status":"publish","type":"blackboard","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/uptown-6-october-brings-gsm-to-egypt-with-egp-1-3-bn-international-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Uptown 6 October brings GSM to Egypt with EGP 1.3 bn international school"},"content":{"rendered":"

GSM is setti<\/strong>ng up shop in Egypt through a new partnership with Uptown 6 <\/strong>October:<\/strong> Uptown 6 October for Educational Investment and Development \u2014 a subsidiary of property developer Uptown 6 October<\/a> \u2014 entered a strategic partnership with global K-12 school operator GSM<\/a>, which is backed by Saudi investment fund Safanad<\/a>, under which GSM will step foot into the local market, the companies announced at a press conference attended by EnterpriseAM last week. We spoke with key stakeholders from both sides to learn more about the project, their future plans, and what makes Egypt\u2019s education sector attractive to foreign investors.<\/p>\n

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links <\/strong>to our background as well as external sources.)<\/p>\n

The goal:<\/strong> The partnership aims to launch a high-end international school within the Uptown 6 October development in West Cairo, with total investments exceeding EGP 1.3 bn. Uptown Chairman Moataz Shaarawy said the project reflects both partners\u2019 commitment to delivering a world-class learning model that meets the aspirations of future generations and raises the quality of international education in Egypt. The school will integrate advanced edtech while remaining rooted in local culture, said Uptown\u2019s education trustees head Mohamed El Ghor. GSM\u2019s successful track record in Africa, the GCC, the US, and Europe has allowed it to reshape teaching and education management models across its markets, he added.<\/p>\n

The first school under the partnership is slated to open in the 2027-2028 academic year<\/strong>, head of the Higher Education Ministry\u2019s Supreme Council of Private Universities\u2019 El Ghor told EnterpriseAM. The school will be built on a 14.3k sqm plot, with a built-up area of 20k sqm and a capacity of up to 1.7k students across 70 tech-enabled classrooms. The campus will feature science and tech labs, performing arts studios, athletic facilities, and collaborative learning spaces, \u201censuring an inclusive educational environment that meets top international standards,\u201d El Ghor said.<\/p>\n

Who\u2019s funding the project?<\/strong> The project will be self financed, Shaarawy told us. <\/p>\n

Why GSM?<\/strong> The school will follow the British curriculum, offering British baccalaureate qualifications and modern tech-forward teaching methods that preserve Egyptian culture while balancing strong literacy in English and Arabic, with a focus on math and science, El Ghor told us. GSM\u2019s strength lies in its holistic approach to school operations, teacher development, and pedagogy. \u201cThey don\u2019t just teach a curriculum \u2014 they treat each student as a 12-year journey,\u201d El Ghor said. GSM delivers 15k hours of student development to each student, covering academics, character building, values, and national heritage. \u201cUltimately, we will probably learn more from Egypt about the future of education than Egypt will learn from us,\u201d GSM Vice Chair Ralph Tabberer said.<\/p>\n

Teacher training:<\/strong> GSM is known for its robust international teacher development programs. The model helps Egyptian teachers refine their skills and stay focused on teaching, without being distracted by side gigs like private tutoring.<\/p>\n

More to come:<\/strong> \u201cThis school is only the first step in a broader roadmap to establish multiple institutions in Uptown 6 October and beyond,\u201d said Uptown 6 October Chairman Ahmed Abou Zeid. The partnership plans to expand into other locations, including East Cairo and Upper Egypt, with future rollout tied to land availability<\/a> and demand for international education in new communities, El Ghor told us.<\/p>\n

There are also plans to set up an American university: <\/strong>Uptown 6 October is looking into launching two international universities \u2014 specializing in business administration and medical sciences \u2014 in partnership with GSM, Shaarawy told us.<\/p>\n

Uptown 6 October plans to enter the e-learnings and applied learning spheres <\/strong>in cooperation with GSM, Shaarawy said. The two aim to target a wide range of non-traditional learners and bridge the gap between academic education and labor market needs.<\/p>\n

And an investment fund: <\/strong>Uptown 6 October is considering launching an education investment fund, Shaarawy said. \u201cWe believe that investment funds are the ideal mechanism to expand the shareholder base and stimulate local and foreign investment in the education sector, especially in governorates that suffer from a shortage of high-quality educational institutions,\u201d he added. The planned fund will enable individuals to invest in the education sector with small amounts, opening the door to a wider range of investors compared to the traditional model, which requires large capital.<\/p>\n

What GSM thinks of the Egyptian market:<\/strong> This partnership is a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of Egyptians and expats joining GSM schools, according to GSM CEO Ron Packard. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to bring our expertise to Egypt \u2014 a country with a rich educational heritage and immense potential,\u201d added Tabberer. \u201cThis school will deliver not just top-tier education, but also foster innovation, personal development, and a global mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n

Egypt is increasingly drawing global education players:<\/strong> A consortium of local, Emirati, US, and Canadian investors announced back in February plans to invest USD 100 mn to build five schools<\/a> in Egypt under the St. Anthony International Schools<\/a> name over the next five years. The schools will be located in key East and West Cairo neighborhoods, along with select coastal cities.<\/p>\n

Competition in Egypt\u2019s international education space is heating up<\/strong>, with many globally successful models entering the market, El Ghor said. He believes this outlook reflects a favorable investment climate, adding that Uptown\u2019s project aligns with Egypt\u2019s upward trajectory and rising demand for quality education, fueled by rapid population growth and expansion of new cities.<\/p>\n

The fault in existing international models: <\/strong>The biggest shortcoming of many international schools in Egypt is the output, as they often focus excessively on English language proficiency at the expense of math, science, and the arts, neglecting the balance needed between disciplines and the cultural fabric of the community, according to El Ghor.<\/p>\n

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