Dome in the South: investment in education, sustainable development, and international presence
Aygul Taghiyeva
columnist
Following its long-standing success in Riyadh, Dome International Investment Company has embarked on a strategic expansion to include the southern regions of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Oloof Development Company, affiliated with the Emirate of Jazan. The collaboration aims to establish a world-class educational institution in Jazan.
The project is valued at SAR 100 million and seeks to provide education according to both the British and American curricula, offering a modern educational environment that aligns with global best practices, enhances educational quality, and improves educational services in the region.
Why investment in education is crucial for economic and social development
In contemporary society, education constitutes the cornerstone of economic growth, social stability, and the enhancement of a country’s international competitiveness. Nations striving to diversify their economies recognize that investment in human capital represents a long-term strategic priority.
Moreover, in recent years, Saudi Arabia has implemented extensive development projects aimed at reducing reliance on the oil sector and fostering promising economic sectors. Within this national transformation, education plays a pivotal role as the primary driver of sustainable development.
Achieving long-term results, however, requires ensuring balanced development across all regions of the Kingdom, particularly in the southern regions, which have historically experienced slower development compared to the central and western urban centers. Therefore, investing in education in the southern regions is not merely a matter of social equity but a strategic necessity to build a balanced and sustainable national economy and to enhance growth opportunities and developmental integration across the Kingdom.
Social and economic potential of the southern regions and the role of education
The southern regions of Saudi Arabia — Asir, Jazan, and Najran — possess promising demographic and economic potential. The high proportion of youth represents a solid foundation for creating an active workforce capable of contributing effectively to the development process.
At the same time, these regions face several developmental challenges, including the need for high-quality, value-added employment opportunities, infrastructure modernization, and the enhancement of investment attractiveness, including foreign investment.
Within this context, education emerges as a strategic tool for achieving the desired transformation. Improving the quality of school, technical, and vocational education contributes to increased productivity, stimulates entrepreneurship, and fosters the establishment of new economic clusters. Furthermore, developing locally qualified national personnel reduces dependence on expatriate labor and contributes to building a sustainable and balanced economic system at the regional level.
The southern regions within Vision 2030 and the strategic role of international education
The southern regions represent one of the promising growth drivers within the implementation of Saudi Vision 2030. The national strategy focuses on diversifying the economic base, developing non-oil sectors, strengthening regional development centers, and enhancing the quality of human capital across the Kingdom. Vision 2030 also emphasizes the creation of a balanced developmental model that ensures the equitable and sustainable distribution of economic and social opportunities.
In this context, investments in international education in the southern regions form part of a comprehensive and systematic modernization effort. International schools adhering to global educational standards contribute to preparing a workforce capable of operating efficiently in an open economic environment characterized by international partnerships and rapid technological transformation. Developing this educational sector directly supports the objectives of Vision 2030 by enhancing regional competitiveness and consolidating long-term sustainability.
The educational landscape in the southern regions
According to official data from the Saudi Ministry of Education for 2025, the southern regions — Asir, Jazan, and Najran — contain a significant number of schools and students:
Asir: ~3,430 schools serving approximately 525,595 students
Jazan: ~2,556 schools serving 351,535 students
Najran: ~980 schools serving 183,302 students
Overall, nearly six thousand schools serve about one million students in these regions. These figures indicate that the existing educational infrastructure provides a basic foundation to meet current educational demand. However, the high population growth, particularly among youth, may increase pressure on these schools in the future, necessitating proactive planning to expand school networks and develop infrastructure to ensure the system’s capacity to meet future needs.
The situation is markedly different for international education. According to official data, the total number of international schools in the southern regions does not exceed 20, compared to approximately six thousand schools offering national curricula. This gap is especially pronounced when compared to major regions such as Riyadh and the Eastern Province, where the majority of international schools are concentrated. Consequently, students in the southern regions face limited access to international education, which may affect their preparedness to compete in global markets and pursue opportunities in international universities.
International education as a tool for global integration
In the context of globalization, adopting international educational standards represents a key pathway to developing the educational system. International schools following British or American curricula contribute to the development of students’ critical thinking, research skills, and intercultural communication, thereby enhancing their readiness to engage in diverse academic and professional environments.
For southern Saudi Arabia, the development of international education enables youth to integrate into the global academic community, expands opportunities for admission to international universities, and enhances graduates’ competitiveness in both local and global labor markets.
Moreover, developing the industrial and economic infrastructure in the southern regions requires a comprehensive social environment. International companies and specialized personnel place great importance on the quality of education available for their children when selecting work locations. Consequently, the presence of an international school serves as a key factor attracting investment and supporting professional stability in the region.
Thus, an international school is not merely an educational institution but constitutes an integral component of the economic strategy for regional development, strengthening the region’s position within both the national and global economy.