The Future of Education in the MENA Region and How Zaker is Leading the Way

Education in the MENA region is transforming. Despite its vibrant culture, the education sector in this part of the world has long struggled with challenges such as outdated curriculums, limited accessibility, and an overreliance on traditional teaching methods. But innovation is not a choice for a region rich with ambitious students and untapped potential; it’s a necessity.

Introducing Zaker, a groundbreaking platform reshaping the student learning experience in Lebanon and beyond. By addressing students’ and institutions’ core challenges, Zaker is doing more than just modernizing education; it’s inspiring a cultural shift.

Starting from Higher Education

With over 18,700 registered users, Zaker is now considered Lebanon’s leading hub for student resources. This journey began when two university students, a professor, and an angel investor came together to solve a common challenge faced by university students during exam preparation. The struggle to find past exams, notes, and summaries—often scattered across WhatsApp groups and private Google Drives—made studying inefficient and stressful.

What started as a humble Google Drive folder, today became a community-powered platform that is helping university students pass their exams with less effort and greater confidence by giving them access to a repository of peer-shared study documents alongside interactive practice problems powered by AI.

Momentum & Milestones: Wins That Matter

🏆 Darwazah Startup Accelerate Grand Prize: Zaker won $10,000, validating its impact on education.

💡 105 Paying Customers in Less Than 4 Months: Despite Lebanon’s challenges, their subscription model proved students want better tools.

🤝 Upcoming B2B Pilots: Two pending partnerships that aim to integrate Zaker’s AI tools into the curriculums of 2 universities, enhancing the learning experience for thousands of students.

Expanding Horizons Through University Partnerships

Zaker is redefining learning and preparing universities for the future. The platform is expanding into B2B partnerships that promise to elevate the educational experience at an institutional level.

What’s in it for universities?

For their students:

Adaptive Learning: Provides students with interactive practice problems that adapt based on their weaknesses.
Gamification: Allows learners to grasp course material and prepare for exams while engaging in a gamified experience throughout the semester.
AI Academic Coach: Specializes in course content and understands students’ academic weaknesses, guiding and assisting them as they study independently.

For their Professors:

AI-Powered Question Bank Creation: Automatically generates questions from existing study materials on the LMS, allowing professors to review and refine them for quality assurance.
Insights on Student Weaknesses: Provides professors with valuable insights into students’ weaknesses, enabling them to tailor their sessions accordingly.

In 2025, Zaker is planning to launch pilot programs with major universities. These initiatives aim to revolutionize curriculums, making education more interactive and student-centric.

The Role of BDD and AUB Innovation Park

Building a tech-driven platform in Lebanon isn’t easy, but Zaker has benefited immensely from strategic support from Beirut Digital District (BDD) and the AUB Innovation Park.

BDD: Located at the beating heart of Lebanon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, BDD provided Zaker with workspace, mentorship, and invaluable networking opportunities. With BDD’s sponsorship, Zaker even participated in Qatar’s Web Summit 2024, connecting directly with investors and industry leaders.
AUB Innovation Park: By joining this incubator in 2024, Zaker gained access to seasoned mentors, tech resources, and student networks. The guidance received has been instrumental in refining their offerings and preparing for regional expansion.

Building a Community of Learners

What truly sets Zaker apart is its community-driven foundation. Students contribute to the platform by sharing notes and resources, while professors enrich the database with tailored question banks. Together, they’re creating a learning ecosystem powered by technology yet deeply human in its approach.

This blend of AI efficiency and human collaboration keeps Zaker grounded, ensuring the platform maintains its authenticity as it grows.