SAE Institute signs articulation agreement with Raffles Design Institute, Riyadh

SAE, the world’s leading educator in creative media fields today announced its partnership with Raffles Design Institute in Riyadh, one of 22 internationally standardized branches around the world, for a transfer articulation agreement for students who have successfully completedan Advanced Diploma in Visual communication, Interior Design, or Jewellery Design.  

Under the agreement, graduate students at Raffles Design Institute who meet the admission requirements will receive guaranteed credit towards their Bachelor of Design or Animation Degree at the SAE Institute campus in Dubai. The agreement ensures that graduates will be able to transfer credits to SAE Institute, where they can take the next step in their educational journey.

Tasnim Al Terkait, Academic Director at SAE Institute Dubai commented,“We are excited to collaborate with Raffles Design Institute, Riyadh to provide select graduates with the opportunity to earn an accredited bachelor’s degree in Design or Animation in an Institute that has more than thirteen years of providing unique creative media education in the region. The GCC region’s creative media industry is budding and such collaborations are needed to support this growing market and to establish the importance of design in the region.”

Current trends and reports show that the most sought-after degrees in 2019-2023 will be those in the creative fields, and the most sought-after skills will be soft skills. Animation, audio, design, film and games development are some examples of creative fields, with more and more companies in the market looking for qualified professionals with this expertise.

A recent report by CISAC states that Africa and the Middle East are a rising market for cultural and creative sectors, generating roughly US$58 billion in revenues. It is further estimated that creative industries are growing at more than 10% a year in the Middle East.

Recent research shows that the design sector is becoming increasingly lucrative and important for the UAE economy, especially during the years leading to Expo 2020 Dubai. According to The MENA Design Outlook report conducted by Deloitte, projections for the UAE design market is expected to reach Dhs135bn by 2019-2020. 

Saudi Arabia accounts for almost one third (32%) of the total GCC interior design market spend, some SR11.25 billion of a total SR35.6 billion, according to a recent Ventures report commissioned by INDEX Saudi, which is the country’s leading interior design, fit-out and architecture event. 

“We share a mutual commitment to student success, andthis agreement further strengthens our long-standing partnership with SAE Institute and underlines our dedication to provide the best options for students to receive the highest quality academic programs in design. For graduates to enter the creative industry, they should be able to showcase a high-quality portfolio, network extensively with professionals, participate in industry events and stay attuned to the pulse of the market. Partnerships like this give a solid platform for students to be active and make the most of opportunities,” added Hala E. Halwani, Institute Director at Raffles Design Institute, Riyadh.