Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi University have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding to have professionals in environment sciences, to reach 74 per cent Emiratization target in the job market across the UAE.

The agreement, which was signed yesterday, will help encourage UAE nationals by offering a Bachelor and Master degree in Environmental Science for an initial number of 25 Abu Dhabi University (ADU) students.

"The agreement will promote the progress of scientific research and capacity building and will help create a new generation of experts who are knowledgeable of the UAE culture and at the same time have an open-minded perspective to life. I am ready to employ these students from tomorrow," said Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD).

Al Mansouri said Emirati graduates are the best candidates for environmental roles across the UAE.

"They will care about protecting our environment and will help strengthen the UAE national identity."

Ali Saeed Bin Harmel Al Daheri, Chairman of ADU Executive Board, told Gulf News the 25 students due to enrol in Environmental Sciences have been selected by a joint committee comprising three members each from EAD and ADU.

All 25 students will be sponsored by the government and will conduct internships at EAD with the help of joint scientific conferences, workshops and seminars focusing on scientific developments. Students are expected to promote environmental awareness through the two parties and to the community.

Awareness

"Our aim is to increase awareness among various sectors in the society. We want each and every single department across the UAE to be aware of environmental factors. That will be the role of our future students, to educate the public," said Al Mansouri in a meeting.

Apart from encouraging students to enrol in the new major, cooperation between the two parties will include joint research programmes, training programmes, and the exchange of data and reports.