SALT Voices: Deborah Quazzo | Managing Partner, GSV Ventures

TL;DR

Deborah Kwas Oh discusses the opportunities and challenges of leveraging education technology to scale education and reskill workers in emerging markets like the Middle East, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning and the role of corporations in bridging the skills gap.

Transcript

this is natasha de sousa reporting for salt voices and i'm here at salt abu dhabi with deborah Kwas Oh the managing director of GSP ventures based in San Francisco it's welcome Deborah great connecting with you your panel discussion today was refreshing I think to listen to you shared some really interesting insights when it comes to ed tech and wo... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 Emerging markets have the advantage of a green field space, allowing for innovative approaches to scaling education and addressing skills gaps.
• 💱 Workforce technology is crucial in rapidly changing job environments, requiring continuous skill and reskill efforts.
• 😀 The Middle East, like many other regions, faces the challenge of education and skills gaps, but governments play proactive roles in funding initiatives.
• 🪡 Corporations are recognizing the need to invest in lifelong learning to address talent shortages and job obsolescence, establishing themselves as the fourth education system.
• 🎓 Data science and teaching are areas with major talent demand globally, and the education system should address these skills gaps.
• 🤔 A holistic approach is necessary, combining technical skills with soft skills like critical thinking and communication.
• ⚾ Online education should be supplemented with peer-based interactions to foster social skills.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some benefits of using technology to scale education in emerging markets?

Deborah Kwas Oh points out that emerging markets lack a legacy system, allowing for more innovative approaches to education. Additionally, technology can help reach large numbers of people in need of education.

Q: How are emerging markets different from developed markets in terms of education and workforce challenges?

Kwas Oh explains that emerging markets have the advantage of not being bound by traditional ways of doing things. They can readily embrace new approaches and technologies to address skills gaps and adapt to rapidly changing job parameters.

Q: What role do governments play in skilling and reskilling initiatives in the Middle East?

According to Kwas Oh, governments in the Middle East are proactive in funding skilling and reskilling programs. They focus on both K-12 education and higher education, recognizing the need to address the education gaps and prepare the workforce for evolving job requirements.

Q: How are corporations and startups contributing to the skilling and reskilling efforts?

Kwas Oh mentions that corporations are increasingly investing in lifelong learning for their employees. They partner with tech startups to find new solutions, acting as the fourth education system. These initiatives aim to skill and reskill employees given talent shortages and job obsolescence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Deborah Kwas Oh highlights the advantages of using technology to scale education in emerging markets, as they often lack a legacy system and can innovate more easily.

• She emphasizes the need for workforce technology to skill and reskill employees as jobs rapidly change due to factors like AI and automation.

• Kwas Oh mentions the proactive role of governments in the Middle East in funding skilling and reskilling initiatives, while corporations and startups collaborate to find innovative solutions.