Are they ready?

Academic Abdullah Al Shaiba analyses the reasons why there are not many UAE nationals employed in the private sector

In order to increase the number of graduate nationals in the private sector the Emirates National Development Programme is working to bridge the gap between higher education and market requirements.

The reason for this is the shortfall in preparing national graduates for employment - a major concern at higher education institutes.

Students undergo training for the future from higher education institutes; they should therefore be provided with general or key skills to make them more desirable to employers.

These skills should also be easily transferred into the labour market after graduation.

The process of teaching the appropriate skills varies based upon every country's culture, market requirements and educational system.

Many countries, particularly developed states, have directed considerable resources to improve higher education.

Treating everybody as human capital

In Australia, the emphasis of government policies on teaching and learning in universities has undergone major shifts.

After the mid-1980s, the focus was on the relationships between 'economic growth' and the efficient use of 'human capital'. Recently the importance has been on key skills.

Australian graduates acquire skills related to: knowledge and values in one or more disciplines such as: critical thinking and lifelong learning; effective communication; IT; teamwork; leadership and global awareness.

In the UAE, there are more than 35 higher education public and private institutions. Many do not have a 'unified vision' or a clear strategy in terms of preparing national graduates for employment.

It is for this reason that both federal and local governments have established special programmes to bridge the gap.

One means of overcoming this problem is to form a connection between educational institutes and the workplace.

Ebrahim Hashem and Shehab Ahmad Laki of the Ras Al Khaimah Men's College share a happy moment during the 14th HCT men's graduation ceremony at the National Theatre in Abu Dhabi

How have other countries dealt with the problem?

In Australia, the emphasis of government policies on teaching and learning in universities after the mid-1980s was on the relationships between 'economic growth' and the efficient use of 'human capital.'

South Africa, where the government has stressed skills over formal knowledge, has also supported an outcomes-based method towards training and education.

In the UK, students' capacity to study independently has influenced the performance in higher education.