ABU DHABI // The higher education system has a crucial role to play in Emiratisation, preparing nationals to hold their own in an increasingly competitive labour market.
That was one of the messages from the opening day of the fifth annual Emiratisation Forum on Monday.
“We are here today to support Emiratisation and fulfil visions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, marking this year as the year of Emiratisation,” said Essam Al Sayed, corporate communications director at Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council.
More than 160 leaders from Abu Dhabi government bodies and human resources experts are attending the two-day forum, organised by Abu Dhabi University’s Knowledge Group, in partnership with ADTC.
“UAE nationals should be very much engaged in public and private sectors,” said Mr Al Sayed, explaining it would require a collective effort, including higher education and employers.
One of the government bodies at the forum, Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre, operates jobs.abudhabi.ae, a website with a focus on Emiratis.
It has provided jobs for 20,000 people, 40 per cent of whom are Emirati, between its launch in October 2008 and January this year.
“Adsic diligently works to develop and improve the initiatives of transforming government services to bring about a modern, efficient government that provides services to its constituents, which match the best e-platforms worldwide,” said Dr Ahmed Al Hashimi, project manager at the centre.
Adsic said it intended to expand its operations in two weeks to attract more jobseekers through social media and mobile apps, where people can register for job alerts.
He said jobs.abudhabi.ae has attracted 400,000 jobseekers, 82,000 of whom are Emirati, and 870 employers who have created the 20,000 jobs.
Figures for this year are expected by January next year but Dr Al Hashimi said he thought the numbers would be bigger “due to our initiatives, especially Emiratisation with Tawteen integration”.
The jobs.abudhabi.ae portal announced yesterday a new partnership with ADTC, which will allow Emirati jobseekers registered on tawteencouncil.ae to be connected with employers on its pages.
"Adsic has collaborated with ADTC to boost the Emiratisation efforts of the Government," Dr Al Hashimi said.
“The partnership is an extension of our virtual platform that not only helps employers source qualified Emirati candidates, but also serves local talent to apply for positions in the UAE and abroad.”
Etihad Airways was also at the forum and its head of talent development said its Emiratisation programme had passed a major milestone, with 150 Emirati trainees.
The scheme now has 87 cadet pilots, 34 graduate managers and 29 technical engineers. They comprise 125 men and 25 women.
Mansoor Belselah, the head of UAE talent development at Etihad, said the airline had always supported and trained Emiratis.
Mr Belselah said the company’s approach to Emiratisation was to view it as a business priority, with a focus on developing talent to drive success.
Dr Ahmed Badr, chief executive of Abu Dhabi University’s Knowledge Group, said: “This year, the forum derives its importance from the directives of our wise leadership in making 2013 the year of Emiratisation and to combine efforts through launching a range of initiatives and policies that make Emiratisation a national priority.”
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
MEYDAN RESULTS
6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
Winner Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm