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A Strategic Plan for Growth and International Expansion 

 

Harven Group, a leading educational institution in language teaching with a solid trajectory of more than three decades in the Canary Islands, Spain, is at a historical turning point. Coinciding with the celebration of its thirtieth anniversary, the management has conceived and is executing an ambitious three-year Business Plan, meticulously designed to catalyze exponential growth, diversify its sources of income, and consolidate its position as an international educational hub. This plan is structured around the creation and comprehensive development of three new and strategic departments.

 

1. Recruitment and International Student Experiences in Gran Canaria: The Gateway to Quality Spanish

 

The first fundamental pillar of the strategic plan focuses on transforming Gran Canaria into the favorite destination for learning Spanish. Harven Group is developing a comprehensive and highly differentiated program for attracting foreign students, exploiting the island's unparalleled appeal: a subtropical climate, deep cultural richness, and a vibrant offer of leisure and nature.

 

The Value of Exclusive Certification:

 

The differentiating element and Harven Group's main competitive advantage is its unique status as the sole franchisee of the prestigious University of Salamanca (USAL) in the Canary Islands. This alliance allows international students to obtain a Spanish certificate of the highest value, recognized worldwide and synonymous with academic excellence.

 

360º Immersion Experience:

 

The training offer is complemented by an enriching program of cultural and social immersion. This includes:

• Leisure and Cultural Activities: Excursions to historical sites, Canarian folklore workshops, and museum visits.

• Local Gastronomic Experiences: Wine tastings, Canarian cooking workshops, and tapas routes, promoting knowledge of the island's culinary tradition.

• Sports and Nature: Water activities, guided hiking, and beach sports, taking advantage of the island's natural environment.

Professional Training and Connection with West Africa:

 

The plan goes beyond language teaching, projecting the offer of specialized training programs for students and professionals in key sectors for Gran Canaria's economy:

• Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Management programs adapted to the demands of the Canarian market.

• International Trade and Negotiation: Courses focused on leveraging the island's logistical and fiscal advantages.

This initiative is supported by the enormous logistical development of Gran Canaria, driven by the Port of Las Palmas, the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC), and the Free Zone, which make it a strategic commercial platform towards West Africa. Geographic proximity is key: flights to Dakar (Senegal) with Binter Canarias last barely two hours. As an example of synergy, Harven Group envisions the possibility of establishing commercial alliances with ZEC companies in Gran Canaria that seek to manufacture products—such as textiles or clothing—in Senegal, an ideal commercial partner for Atlantic expansion.

 

2. Development of a Chain of Student Residences in the Canary Islands: Guarantee of Accommodation and Experience

 

Recognizing that the lack of quality accommodation is a critical obstacle to attracting international talent and students, the second strategic axis of Harven Group is the creation and management of a chain of modern and high-standard student residences in the archipelago.

 

Initial Phase and Expansion Vision:

 

The pilot and launch project will begin in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital, with the ambition of progressively expanding to other islands with significant educational demand. This infrastructure development is considered vital; without a reliable and attractive accommodation asset, the decision of foreign students and professionals to pursue their education in Gran Canaria would be seriously compromised.

 

Strategic Alliance for Excellence in Management:

 

To ensure the highest standards of service, efficiency, and operational management, Harven Group will establish a Joint Venture or partnership agreement with an international brand of recognized prestige in the student accommodation management sector. This alliance will guarantee the quality, safety, and management model necessary to attract a demanding student profile.

 

Type of Accommodation:

 

The chain of residences will not only serve language students but will be designed to host a wide range of students and professionals:

• University Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students.

• Students of language programs and specialized training.

• Professionals in short-stay programs or executive masters.

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3. International Expansion and Penetration into the African Market: The Atlantic Axis

 

The third and most ambitious pillar of the plan is international geographic expansion, with a strategic focus on the African continent, particularly West Africa, taking advantage of the historical and geographical Atlantic connection of the Canary Islands.

 

Initial Phase in Senegal: Prestigious Global Dual Certification

 

The expansion begins in Senegal, a high-potential market with a young demography. Harven Group will deploy a first-rate bilingual educational offer:

• Oxford Certified English: English classes will be offered with the competitive advantage of being able to certify the students' proficiency level through the Oxford Test Of English (OTE) exams.

• Institutional Milestone: Harven Group has achieved a monumental feat by obtaining the homologation of a classroom at the University of Dakar. This makes it the only authorized center in all of Senegal to administer the OTE exams.

• Spanish with the Salamanca Seal: Simultaneously, Spanish classes will be taught, leveraging the solid alliance with the University of Salamanca to offer its quality certificates, already recognized and respected in the market.

Execution Structure in Senegal:

 

To materialize this project in Senegal, Mr. Artiles has established the company AFRICA MID ATLANTIC in partnership with a key Senegalese associate, a doctor in economics who has also served as the rector of the University of Dakar for several years, ensuring deep knowledge of the local educational and regulatory environment.

 

Subsequent Expansion Phase: Consolidation in West Africa

 

After successfully consolidating its presence and operation in Senegal, the plan contemplates a second phase of expansion towards neighboring Ivory Coast, another strategic French-speaking market with a growing economy.

 

In both countries (Senegal and Ivory Coast), Harven Group will establish its own educational centers. These centers will be differentiated by offering a prestigious international dual certification: English certification with the backing of Oxford and Spanish certification with the endorsement of the University of Salamanca, firmly positioning Harven Group as a relevant and high-quality player in bilingual education in West Africa.