GALWAY, IRELAND - 2026-11-10
Alison has crossed 3 Million Learners across Western Asia, marking a significant expansion of free online learning in a region where people are navigating fast-changing skills needs, varied access to education, and new forms of work.
Scale Brings Flexible Learning Closer to Everyday Life
Reaching this milestone is a measure of access. It represents people finding a route into learning that does not depend on being in a particular city, following a fixed timetable, or committing to tuition fees before they can begin.
That matters in a region that includes major commercial centres, fast-growing digital economies, communities affected by disruption, and people moving between countries and careers. Learning needs differ widely, but the value of being able to start immediately and progress at an individual pace is shared.
Skills Matter as Technology Reshapes Work Across the Region
The regional world of work is changing quickly. A 2026 report from the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia examines how artificial intelligence could reshape jobs across Arab labour markets through 2035. It identifies skills and human-capital priorities ranging from basic AI literacy to advanced technical and governance capabilities, while warning that unequal access could deepen exclusion.
Earlier ILO analysis of the Gulf and Levant found that nearly 14.6% of jobs could benefit from AI-driven augmentation. The same analysis stresses that investment and inclusive policy will be essential if digital change is to create wider opportunity, particularly for women, young people, and vulnerable groups.
Against that backdrop, access to flexible learning becomes more than a matter of convenience. It gives people a way to respond to changing expectations, build confidence with unfamiliar subjects, and develop complementary skills without waiting for a formal programme to become available nearby.
Alison's reach shows that millions of people across Western Asia are engaging with an open learning platform at a time when the ability to keep learning is becoming increasingly important.
An Accessible Platform Lets People Build Their Own Path
Learners have the freedom to define their own educational experience, whether they are looking for immediate solutions to workplace challenges or seeking long-term professional growth. The platform is designed to support various learning styles and life situations, ensuring that education remains accessible regardless of a person's location.
This inherent flexibility allows education to integrate seamlessly into the complexities of daily life, balancing alongside family and career commitments. It also empowers people to bridge the gap between their current knowledge and their future ambitions. Whether they are sharpening technical capabilities or developing essential soft skills, Learners can tailor their education to fit their specific goals, ensuring that every step taken is purposeful and aligned with their personal aspirations.
For Alison, surpassing 3 Million Learners across Western Asia is both a regional milestone and a reminder of what open access can enable. It widens the starting point for learning and gives more people the freedom to take the next step when the time is right for them.
Ends
About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited Learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, Learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.
The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
