At least half of young Emiratis are concerned about the high cost of living and the availability of jobs, a survey suggested.
Almost 3,000 students shared their views of how they see the next 50 years unfolding for Looking to the Future, a study released for Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations, which took place on Sunday.
The availability of jobs (55 per cent) and the high cost of living (50 per cent), were among the most pressing issues for those polled.
But 91 per cent said they felt positive that the future would hold promise - and 78 per cent predicted they would have a better quality of life than their parents.
About three-quarters of the students (74 per cent) believe preserving local culture, values and traditions should be a priority for the UAE over the next decade.
Seventy-one per cent of respondents said preserving the Arabic language was extremely important.
“If we do not preserve our culture, nothing else we achieve will have as much value because we will no longer be representing our community,” said respondent Aliyaa Al Balooshi, an author and marketing entrepreneur as well as a student.
“It is only natural for us to be concerned about losing our culture in a rapidly modernising country, but if we give in to those fears, then our culture will certainly erode.
“Our values and our traditions have been around a long time; however, this does not consign them to history. They live on through us, in what we wear, what we eat and the way we speak.”
Social media can dominate our lives
Almost half of those surveyed believe social media can be a positive force but said it should be used prudently.
The majority of young Emiratis (79 per cent) said they get their news from social media, but 65 per cent said they did not trust the information they received there.
The most popular platform was WhatsApp, used by 84 per cent, followed by Instagram at 73 per cent.
Less than one in two (49 per cent) said social media was a positive force for change.
Fatima Alkaabi, 19, an inventor studying computer engineering in the US, said social media could often be a force for good.
“You can see other women are doing great things and it makes you realise you can do it too,” she said.
“I get messages from girls saying they didn’t think they could do something before they saw my page.
“Social media creates representations that inspires people to do things.”
But she said social media could take a toll on mental health if adopted with the wrong attitude.
“A lot of people my age think the likes they get on their posts are how people tell you they love you,” she said.
“But if you’re looking for validation or how many likes you have, you create pressure for yourself.”
Strong start in life preparing Emiratis for future
Almost 90 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with their overall level of education.
A total of 87 per cent of respondents said higher education provided them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the “new normal”.
But some said they hoped for more internships and job offers.
Seventy-eight per cent of those polled said their expectations were being met or exceeded.
The overwhelming majority of respondents, 91 per cent, said they were confident they would be able to meet their career goals.
Slightly under two in three students, 65 per cent, said they would like remote learning to continue once the Covid-19 pandemic ebbs.
A small number of Emirati students, either studying at home or abroad, planned to work outside the country when they completed their education.
Finding a job in the UAE was the goal for 90 per cent of students who participated in the study.
An education expert quoted in the report said a hybrid approach combining in-classroom and virtual lessons was the best long-term option.
“Students now have unprecedented access to the best professors or educators from across the world,” said Maryam Ahmed Hassani, an innovation specialist with Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.
“But a completely virtual environment takes away from the essence of being in a university or school.
“Engaging with people, interacting in the halls, conversing with your peers and teachers in person, these are all valuable experiences you just don’t get in a virtual environment.”
The next 50 years
The vast majority of Emirati students are positive about the direction of the UAE over the next 50 years.
A total of 91 per cent of students said they felt positive that the future would hold promise.
Seventy-eight per cent said they believed they would have a better quality of life than that of their parents.
“My father couldn’t imagine what we have today,” said Saleh Alharthi, 26, who enlisted in the UAE military for national service.
“Nobody would have thought that the people would be this happy, that we would be globally competitive, have amazing infrastructure, attracting big companies, even going to Mars.”
Renewable energy most sought-after for jobs
The renewable energy sector was seen as one of the most attractive options for young Emiratis to pursue a career in.
Almost two in three respondents (62 per cent) said they would be interested in a career in renewable energy, with only technology achieving a higher score, with 66 per cent.
Respondents believed there would be more opportunities in the renewable energy sector as the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the survey showed.
“This field is far from being saturated with research and development, which makes it such a great hub for new ideas,” said Sara Almarzooqi, a student of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of Sharjah.
“I personally feel the greater the uncertainties in any field of research, the greater the opportunities are.”
She said it was not only scientists and engineers who had a role to play in creating a sustainable future.
“Anyone can contribute towards this shift. Small actions can add up and have a profound effect in the future [through] things as simple as raising awareness or providing people incentives to comply with environmental policies,” she said.
Technology will reign this century
More than four in five young Emiratis surveyed (81 per cent) believe technology will bring about positive change.
Almost three quarters, 74 per cent, said technology should be a top priority for the UAE over the next 10 years.
Artificial intelligence was the technology most young Emiratis (70 per cent) believed the country should invest in.
“I think integrating AI into every sector is a must,” said Farha Al Breiki, 23, who is pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Intelligence in Abu Dhabi.
“It will allow us to best utilise knowledge, especially knowledge transfer, and can save time, effort and labour.”
