How Zayed University is preparing students

 

Zayed University, one of three federal universities in the UAE, has always sought to innovate and invest in its students. At its campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi thousands of UAE nationals have benefited from this pioneering spirit. Staying ahead of the curve and constantly innovating, has been vital to the success of the university. As it enters its 25th year, the institution remains as future focused as ever.

“We recognise that the private sector will be crucial to the growth of the UAE over the next 50 years,” says Dr Michael Allen, Acting Provost and Chief Academic Officer, “so a fundamental objective of our new strategy is to improve the employment prospects of our students.”

Around the world a disconnect has emerged between education and employment. A study by Bloomberg in 2018 found that 65% of corporates and 56% of academic institutions believed that graduates were ill-prepared in some way when they left University. Globally, universities are implementing new policies to try to close this gap.

The leadership in the UAE have been very clear about the importance of education. It is one of four pillars in the Centennial Plan 2071, and ensuring that the education sector keeps pace with the changing workplace, was a key motivation for the ambitious changes announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the Ministry of Education earlier this year.

Our students want to graduate and get a good job, so it is vital that we work with businesses to understand the types of skills they need. Our new degree programs do just that. The combination of interdisciplinary learning and real-world work experience helps us meet the needs of the private sector, and lay the foundation for the future careers of our students. This is how we feel we can best play our role in contributing to the UAE’s continued journey of progress.