How can an economic partnership between Turkey and Israel help the development of EdTech technologies?
Zeev Lavie's recent comments on the past, current, and future trade relations between Tukey and Israel show that the recent political developments between the two states may be promising for EdTech start-ups, as both markets offer various unique benefits to one another. According to Lavie, one of the main lines of economic partnership can be technology. Israel is the number one country for venture capital per capita and the second on innovation and entrepreneurship -right after Silicon Valley. At the same time, Turkey is abundant in resources, industrial capacity, and population. So how can the synergy between two markets be further improved, and how can the EdTech industry suffice?
3 Universities in the Top 100 of the Emerging Economies University Rankings 2021
According to Times Higher Education Emerging Economies University Rankings of 2021, Turkey has three universities within the top 100 list, with 25 universities within the list overall. Turkey has been seeing progress in its higher education quality, R&D, research and publications, internationalization of staff and students, and social improvement projects. Specifically for EdTech, the steady growth within the institutional and individual participators of Technopolis and Technology Transfer Office projects show that there is growing academia in the technology industry within Turkey, with also a considerable increase in the applications for patents, models, and designs (although positive results have slightly declined between 2018-2020) -see 2019 and 2021 Turkish Higher Education Council Reports for more.
The will is there, yet EdTech's niche role needs more than just academic background; it needs market insight and information to cement the future position of technology within education using the market. There needs to be an exchange of market intellect through market relations, to grow Turkish EdTech flora while creating profitable alliances for the Israeli EdTech industry. Is there any hint towards a symbiotically rewarding partnership from Turkey's side? Indeed, there is.
There is a Growing Number of R&D and Tech Start-ups in Turkey, and Partnerships are In Order
A growing and vibrant start-up ecosystem in Turkey is suitable for EdTech investments from Israel and possible partnerships between the two markets. Private and public incubation and acceleration programs in Turkey soared in the last decade –incubation programs from 6 in 2010 to 69 in 2020, and acceleration programs from 8 to 82 in the same period. The government offers many financial programs, funds, and grants, which led to the growth of many successful unicorns; the progress yielded an increased amount of venture capital, angel networks, and angel investors with highly profitable exits.
The hot verticals within the country are constituted more by e-commerce, deep-tech, fintech, and gaming industry; however, there is a growing number of EdTech companies with many eye-catching ones and can be another central vertical in the long run. Serial entrepreneurs and high-tech veterans of Israel are looking for new areas of revolutionary impact; edtech is one of those areas, so partnerships between two markets can likely result in fruitful ventures which can eradicate technophilia within both states' education systems.
VR-Revolution of Education within the Middle East might be Fastened through Turkey-Israel Example
A conducive market allegiance between two states that can aid the EdTech space compatible with educational and pedagogic expectancies can become an example for the whole Middle Eastern region, wiping out the technophilic education culture that book-ifies the entire educational system. According to the World Bank, there is a significant gap between the global expectancies on education and the skills that must be taught to 21st-century students and MENA regions' curriculums. The tide is turning with governments taking the initiative and international organizations aiding national and regional efforts. How can the market help? The private sphere can be a helping hand within this wave by supplying VR technologies across the region, which can reduce costs and democratize information while providing the skills necessary for the next generation of employees. Therefore, a partnership between the region's biggest economy and the actor with substantial political influence, Turkey, and one of the 15th most innovative countries across the globe, Israel, upon EdTech may have long-lasting impacts upon revolutionizing education across the region and the world.
The WSL Vision
WSL envisions a future where there is no STEM education parity between the developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries around the world; through the dissemination of VR technologies across the globe via social impact-focused market action. The company believes that VR technologies can correct the educational disparities observed worldwide, caused by various factors via drawing down costs, democratizing knowledge, curriculum expansion, and bringing science to life.