Abu Dhabi kicks off education and career fair

Abu Dhabi Najah Education Training Careers 2009 exhibition (Najah) kicked off yesterday bringing together the future UAE workforce with the current education and workplace markets.

Speaking to Gulf News, Salem Al Sayari, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), said the concentration on higher education is to bridge the current gap between graduates and the market place in support of the emirate's 2030 economic vision.

Inaugurated by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Najah is in its third year and is supported by Adec.

Al Sayari said Najah brings together educators and employers under one roof to help "direct" students to disciplines and career paths that complement market needs, such as the renewable energy and technological sectors.

Youmna Badowah, Director of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Higher Education, said participation in Najah is an important link to the labour market.

She said that "by serving the labour market we are serving our country."

An example of this would be the Emirates College for Advanced Education, which is now accepting applications from Emiratis and expatriates to train under its sponsorship for a four-year bachelor of education programme.

Graduates of the programme will teach subjects and courses in English at elementary levels across the UAE.

The three-day event being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is holding a series of seminars delivered by federal, local based and international universities along with corporations, such as banks, and federal employers, such as the UAE Air Force, to show interested students the many options open to them in terms of employment, work-based vocational training and study.

This will essentially give them the opportunity to make informed decisions for their future.

Aiesec, the world renowned leadership organisation for students run by students is at Najah offering an assessment centre.

Through a series of group and individual tasks and scenarios the centre will ultimately allow students to identify their leadership strengths and weaknesses.

Seminars to look out for:

Wednesday:

11:45 Inspiring women to envision their dream by film maker Nayla Al Khaja

16:00 Writing your CV and application letter by Rebecca Wilson

17:20 Taking charge of your own career development

Thursday:

11:20 The future of Aerospace industry in Abu Dhabi

17:30 Improve your interview techniques

18:15 Dress like a million dollars to earn a million dollars

For a full programme visit www.najahonline.com

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Seminars to look out for

Wednesday, October 21

11:45 Inspiring women to envision their dream by film maker Nayla Al Khaja

16:00 Writing your CV and application letter by Rebecca Wilson

17:20 Taking charge of your own career development

Thursday, October 22

11:20 The future of Aerospace industry in Abu Dhabi

17:30 Improve your interview techniques

18:15 Dress like a million dollars to earn a million dollars

For a full programme visit www.najahonline.com

Visit Najah

Ends: Thursday, October 22

Exhibit timings: 10am-7pm, extended to 9pm on Thursday

Ladies timings: Wednesday, October 21, 10am-2pm

Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre