GN Edufair Dubai: Want a job fast in Dubai? Experts say master these 6 underrated skills

Dubai: While students often focus on technical qualifications and academic achievements, employers are increasingly prioritising soft skills that are crucial in the modern workplace.

At the Gulf News Edufair 2025 in Dubai, industry leaders stressed the importance of decision-making, problem-solving, initiative, critical thinking, adaptability, and innovation – skills that are often overlooked by students.

Mohammed Zaheer, CEO of London South Bank University UAE, highlighted the value of problem-solving. “At work, we face challenges every day. Employers don’t want someone constantly asking, ‘What do I do?’ but rather someone who thinks: ‘Can I solve it this way?’” he said, highlighting the role of problem-solving in shaping future leaders.

Echoing similar views, Dr Sudhir Rana, Associate Professor and Programme Director at Thumbay College of Management and AI in Healthcare, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, described decision-making and problem-solving as “fundamental skills.”

“Skills are like diamonds. Once you have the passion to collect diamonds, you’ll keep collecting them. Decision-making – taking the right decision at the right time – helps you reach the place you dream of or aspire to be one day. These are humanitarian and essential personality skills,” he said this during the panel discussion on the topic: ‘The skills blueprint: Teaching what employers actually want’.

Meanwhile, Aishwarya Bakshi, CEO of Jaipur National University Ras Al Khaimah Campus, pointed to initiative as a key trait she seeks in employees.
“I wish employees would take initiative in their work, without needing constant supervision,” she said. “When you work with passion, initiative comes naturally.”

Asked which one skill they would add to every university course, the experts offered varied yet complementary responses. Dr Rana chose innovation, noting: “Unless you open your mind to doing something new, improvement is hard to achieve.”

Zaheer highlighted critical thinking, warning that overreliance on AI could erode independent thought.

Bakshi opted for adaptability, a trait she sees as essential in both personal and professional life.