Emiratis encouraged to join private sector

Abu Dhabi - The private sector encompasses 80 per cent of the country's GDP.

UAE Ministers are calling on young Emirati students to join the private sector, highlighting that the private sector helps open doors of learning opportunities for future generations, that may not be equally found in the public sector.
On the last day the Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Nasser bin Thani Juma Al Hamli, Cabinet Member and Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, said there are tremendous benefits of pursuing work experience in the private sector while studying.
"By leveraging summer training opportunities, the private sector will see you as a priority and also see that you are keen to develop yourself."
"Once you start working, you discover your strengths, preferences, and where you can develop more - summer training lets you figure this out before you graduate and most often these opportunities translate into permanent jobs."
"Our role is to show you the way, and your role is to take the decision to walk the path," said Al Hamli.
Speaking about Emiratisation, he described the vital role of the private sector in the UAE's economy, as it encompasses 80 per cent of the country's GDP.
"We would like you to lead this vital strategic sector that's leading our economy."
Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Higher Education, urged the students to invest in themselves.
"Learning is entailed to you," he told a crowd of nearly 3,000 young Emiratis.
"If you don't work on yourself, job opportunities that exist now will no longer exist in the future."
Offering his own experience to illustrate the point, Dr Al Falasi said: "When I studied engineering I just focused on engineering."
"It was expected that I wouldn't have knowledge of finance or have acquired the right social skills."
He said that today, the need is for an engineer who understands budgets and is capable of being a public speaker.
"This implies that you must possess leadership communication skills."
He said the Majlis thus gives the students the opportunity to better themselves and their skills.
"It's important that you get this message. you are the future of this country, and this Majlis is for you," he added.
Dr Al Falasi also spoke of some of the UAE's most important milestone moments that illustrate how the UAE has already invested in its industries and people to grow.
He shared the examples of Strata, the UAE manufacturing company that's fast becoming a key aerostructure parts partner to both Airbus and Boeing, and Khalifa Sat 1 - the first satellite from UAE-based global satellite operator to be manufactured entirely by Emiratis.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi