The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Dubai /Â WAM
The Emirates Foundation launched the first nationwide Kafa’at Internship Fair, 2016, to connect Emiratis with top employers across the UAE and opening up a variety of internship opportunities that align with their career ambitions.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, and in partnership with Emirates Youth Council, the two-day fair was officially inaugurated today by Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul AlFalasi, Minister of State for Higher Education, and Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Board Member of Emirates Foundation, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Speaking about the fair, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Managing Director of Emirates Foundation, said, “The Kafa’at Internship Fair is the first of its kind in the nation offering hundreds of training opportunities for young graduates with private and semi-governmental sectors. We strongly believe that through such training opportunities, we will be able to support our youth to develop the leadership and practical skills required to penetrate and thrive in the job market.”
He elaborated, “Given the importance of this initiative, we have partnered with leading local and global companies who have offered amazing training opportunities and potential job placements for our youth. Today, we call upon all companies operating in the UAE to invest in the potential of youth through such training opportunities that will prepare and support them navigate and define their future career aspirations.”
The inauguration was attended by Clare Woodcraft-Scott, CEO of Emirates Foundation, and Maytha Al Habsi, Deputy CEO of Emirates Foundation, along with CEOs, academics and professionals from across the UAE.
Shamma bint Sohail Faris Al Mazrui said, “Internships and hands-on training are fundamental pre-requisites in empowering our youth to support and drive the national competitiveness of our nation. Our mission today, as we strive towards a knowledge and innovation based economy, is to increase the number of Emiratis in both the private and semi-governmental sectors, through empowering them with the knowledge and skills in order to prepare them to enter the workforce.”
She underlined that while the UAE has made significant strides towards advancing its educational ecosystem, what is required now is bridging the gap between university campuses and the job market.