Articles
A life of luxury
Zayed University launches course that will train Emirati graduates for the high-end retail industry.
- By Amelia Naidoo, Notes Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:33 October 25, 2008
- About 15 graduates, who are currently employed by Al Fahim Holdings, will begin a four-month Luxury Retailer Leadership Programme in December.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Emirati graduates will soon be groomed for careers in the Middle East's luxury retail industry after Zayed University (ZU) and Al Fahim Holdings formally established a joint programme recently.
About 15 graduates, who are currently employed by Al Fahim Holdings, will begin a four-month Luxury Retailer Leadership Programme in December. The course is the first of its kind in the region and has been specially customised for the company.
Students will attend twice-weekly classes on campus and will be given insights into various areas involving human resources, finance, marketing, brand management, service culture, business culture, retail techniques and leadership principles.
At the end of the course, graduates will be given the chance to enrol in a Graduate Management Trainee course, a full-time salaried course designed specifically for UAE nationals.
Helping shape the future
At a ceremony held in ZU, Dubai, Mohammad Al Fahim, Group CEO of Al Fahim Holdings, and Dr Sulaiman Al Jasem, Vice-President of Zayed University, signed the agreement. They said it would help build the next generation of leaders in the field of luxury in the Middle East.
"ZU is well-known for its innovation, cultural diversity and willingness to seek out partnerships with like-minded organisations in its desire for its graduates to help shape the future of the UAE," said Al Fahim.
He added that the relationship with ZU will help the organisation connect with a new generation of consumers and allow them to give back to the country by encouraging Emiratis to seriously consider a career in luxury retailing.
"At the same time, this collaboration gives us an opportunity to experiment with new retail concepts and translate our learning into real business ideas – ideas which can be incorporated into any of our stores within the region."
Dr Al Jasem said: "This agreement with Al Fahim Holdings shows the commitment of ZU to serving the community through its Outreach Programme in addition to graduating students capable of sustaining the impressive pace of development in the UAE. The university, recently accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, understands its role and responsibilities towards the citizens of this country. "
Outreach programme
Dr Rahman Haleem, Associate Director of ZU Outreach, said the outreach programme is a bridge that links the large pool of international expertise in the university to the training and developmental needs of the public, private and government sectors.
"By providing high quality innovative training and consultancy solutions, continuing education courses, languages and community service initiatives, ZU Outreach fulfils an important role alongside the academic role of the university," he added.
On the same day a memorandum of understanding between ZU and Al Ahli Holding Group was also signed.
Officials said the objective of the agreement is to strengthen the professional relations between the two organisations through corporate social responsibility projects. There will be a special focus on supporting students and young professionals in their leadership and entrepreneurial development.
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