14 years of Excellence: An Interview with Amer Mourad
“Change is healthy – embrace it, accept it, run with it, and the rest will fall into place”
Amer’s office is a reflection of his journey with Global Study UK (GSUK) over the years.
From Egyptian pyramids and football-themed decorations to awards from partners, the space is filled with memorabilia that tells a story. As we settle in for our interview under colourful artworks by Mr. Brainwash, Amer picks up a striking old copy of The Times, showcasing the front page – the year reads 2011.
A passionate football fan, he points out one of the headlines, noting how Liverpool F.C. is thriving in the Premier League. “The only thing stranger is that Manchester United used to be League Leaders… In the last 14 years we have seen new dynamics in football. But from an Education perspective – this date marks a significant day.”
He then shares the story behind the newspaper, a gift from Irina Suri, a close friend of GSUK, currently based in Dubai. “She found this beautiful gift for us. On this date – Monday, February 7, 2011 – Global Study UK was founded, and the dream of supporting students started then.”
A Journey Of Growth And Transformation
In just 14 years, GSUK has grown into a leader in international education.
“Today we celebrate the success of our colleagues and, most importantly, the students that we have met during this journey.” Reflecting on the past five years, Amer acknowledges how COVID-19 reshaped the way we work. Now, as GSUK enters its 15th year, 2024 marked a period of transformation – enhancing efficiency, restructuring the organization, and reinforcing its commitment to students.
Behind The Scenes: A Year Of Change
“2024 has been a major year behind the scenes,” Amer reveals. “Not everyone gets to see what’s happening, so much is going on which enables more students to register, to get more information and start their journey with one of our wonderful counsellors.”
One of the biggest changes has been structural. “It’s not about decreasing the size of the team” – Amer explains. It’s about optimizing the organization by creating distinct divisions. For example, the Finance team has been split into two specialized units: one handling internal operations and staff support, and another focusing on external partners and universities. This shift has streamlined operations and improved communication.
The Marketing team has also expanded significantly, growing from two members to a fully operational team of six. “And not just any six,” Amer adds with a proud smile. This expansion has fuelled technological advancements, leading to faster, more efficient websites and accessible student resources. “Technology needs to be staffed – we couldn’t make the improvements without growing the team”.
Innovation And Technology: Course-Specific Platforms
Global Study UK has recently launched a range of course-specific websites, revolutionizing how students access information.
“Focused websites provide relevant information to the student’s aspirations, instead of one for all, we decided to go on a journey by breaking them up by course”.
One of the standout projects is StudyFashionInTheUK – “StudyFashion is the pride of 2024, and we are so excited to be able to support students who wish to study fashion”. Similarly, StudyArtInTheUK has also gained attention, particularly with the addition of a prestigious partner: the University of the Arts London. “They’re one of the best in the world, offering amazing courses for students in the region [MENA].”
Beyond courses, GSUK has also invested in city-focused websites, including Study in London, Study in Manchester, and Liverpool Study. Amer enthusiastically brings up Liverpool’s popularity among Egyptian students, mentioning GSUK’s seven locations across Egypt, and their outstanding teams shaping student journeys. “I must mention , he wasn’t there 14 years ago, but the best footballer in the Premier League, if not the world, is Mohammed Salah – who plays for Liverpool. And he has had the best days living in the city of Liverpool, what a location to study in! So our Liverpool focused website will allow students who want to study there to find what they need.”
“Supporting students remains our number one priority”
For students considering options beyond the UK, GSUK offers Global Student Admissions, featuring top destinations like Dubai, Madrid, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Canada, the USA, Australia, and Switzerland, amongst many others. The newest addition? The University of Gibraltar – GSUK’s 22nd territory.
In fact, 2024 has welcomed remarkable new partners, including Durham University, a prestigious Russell Group institution. The goal remains “to balance all the countries and cities to be fair to all our partners, but it’s key to give our students different scenarios and options so they can make an informed decision about the biggest step in their career.”
The Global Education Hub (GEH): A Digital Revolution
Tying all these initiatives together is GSUK’s latest innovation – the Global Education Hub (GEH), a digital platform designed to streamline international education, including:
Brands and Search Engines
Course- and location-specific websites
Accommodation
Resources & Information about student accommodation
GStv
Showcasing educational programs and visual content
An interactive tool bringing the best of international education in one place – GEH will serve as a one-stop destination, integrating GSUK’s various resources. “This is just the beginning,” Amer shares. “In the next 5 years we aim to double the efforts, grow the company, develop the amazing colleagues who work with us every day and support students – and GEH will permit us to take that next step”.
Expanding Global Study UK's Presence
Alongside digital expansion, GSUK is also broadening its physical presence.
“A year ago the decision was made to expand operations into Algeria, in September we took the office, started the renovations, and first week of December all paperwork was done. The office is now fully running with 4 counsellors in Algiers”. Amer is thrilled with this milestone. “This is a tremendous achievement to be able to help students in a very big market.”
Looking ahead, GSUK is planning further expansions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and additional offices in Egypt and Algeria. However, Amer stresses the importance of balance – whilst expansion is always part of the dream, business sustainability is crucial. “The key is that the executive and senior management teams must work together in balancing the dream whilst keeping our feet on the ground.”
Students First: The Core Of GSUK’s Mission
Throughout the conversation, Amer emphasizes that every initiative – whether digital transformation or physical expansion – is ultimately about student success!
“Supporting students remains our number one priority. That’s why striking the right balance between investing in new locations and enhancing technology and student services is so important.”
Transparency and accessibility are key values at GSUK – ensuring that students receive accurate, relevant information to make informed decisions. “Coming to study abroad is a big decision, and we are proud to support students so their academic dreams, and eventually graduation, become a reality.”
“2024 has been a major year behind the scenes”
Leadership And Team Management
Managing an ever-growing team comes with challenges, and I ask Amer about his approach.
“All colleagues are different, we manage to keep everyone excited and motivated with the support of our operations and people management teams who work really hard to support every colleague”.
A highlight of the year was the 2024 Staff Appreciation Gala – “The proudest moment of 2024! It was such a joy to see everyone celebrating the achievements and success under one roof! That’s driving me on, every single day – to make sure the 2025 staff appreciation will be an even longer event full of magical moments. That is for me the trophy of all trophies! The equivalent feeling of seeing our students graduate – they literally go hand in hand”.
The Road Ahead For Global Study UK
As we wrap up our conversation and prepare to join the team for the anniversary celebration, I ask Amer for his advice after 14 years in the industry.
“Accept change,” he says without hesitation. “You have to be proactive and innovate. Change is healthy – embrace it, accept it, run with it, and the rest will fall into place.”
Looking ahead, Amer reveals that multiple business plans are under review to ensure GSUK’s continued growth. “We aim to strengthen our foundation without impacting key functions – innovation, technology, and people.”
His passion for GSUK is as strong as ever. “I’m just as motivated as I was at the start. Supporting each student, giving my team the platform to grow their careers, and continuously improving our processes – this is what drives me. The hunger and desire are as strong as they were 14 years ago.”
Amer’s words echo with excitement and determination. “I say thank you to all my wonderful colleagues, university partners, and students for giving us the chance to celebrate 14 years. As we enter our 15th year, I am ready. Let’s go – let this journey continue. Let’s keep making dreams happen, supporting students, innovating, and leading each other to success. We win together, and we are going to win bigger than ever before.”
