Abu Dhabi youth development programme to be expanded

Emirates Foundation is building on its relationship with the Ministry of Higher Education to increase participation in a diverse range of programmes by expanding its reach into universities.

ABU DHABI// A programme to develop the skills of young people, from handling finances to how to deal with an emergency, is getting a boost from an agreement between the federal government and an Abu Dhabi-based youth organisation.

Building on its relationship with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Emirates Foundation is expanding its reach into universities.

The foundation aims to empower youngsters through six programmes covering such areas as disaster and crisis training and preparedness, financial literacy and career planning.

“We’ve been working with the ministry for a long time but haven’t had a clear vision,” said Mohammed Al Hosani, Emirates Foundation director of programmes.

He said the agreement created structure and would help develop the relationship.

“Our management are looking to deliver the same programmes for all the universities, so youth across the UAE will get the same, instead of dealing with each university separately.”

Mr Al Hosani said that the foundation aimed to target all higher-education institutions in the UAE, particularly government-run colleges and universities with their higher concentration of Emiratis.

“In the universities, we are focusing more on job-readiness programmes that will prepare them for employment in the private sector,” he said.

Mr Al Hosani said that the organisation hoped to expand into the Northern Emirates.

In addition to training and skill development, the foundation also encourages youngsters to give their time by volunteering at large-scale events such as at the Milan Expo and F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “One of the things that we will focus on is encouraging youth to volunteer and give something back to the country,” he said.

Youmna Hamad Badowah, acting assistant undersecretary at the ministry, said cooperating with Emirates Foundation allowed it to link specific skill sets identified by the government as areas that need development with the foundation’s programmes. “The key focus of the ministry is to ensure that our students in the higher-education system can make a positive contribution in their society.”